Looking back on my study abroad experience in Japan, it’s hard to believe it’s already over.
It feels like just yesterday I was scrolling through Texas State’s study abroad website, exploring different program destinations and imagining what it would be like to study abroad. From meeting my fellow 2026 SJMC Japan classmates for the first time to attending our final orientation before departure, every step helped prepare me for a journey that would leave a lasting impact.
Now that the program has come to an end, I can confidently say that every meeting, every preparation and every moment of anticipation was worth it. The memories I made, the people I met and the experiences I had throughout Japan are ones I’ll never forget.
When I entered college, I knew studying abroad was something I wanted to do. I had always heard people describe it as a life-changing experience, so when I saw that Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication was offering a study abroad program in Japan, I quickly applied.
Japan had always been at the top of my travel bucket list, and I couldn’t think of a better opportunity to explore a new country while gaining valuable skills for my future career. The program offered the chance to strengthen my writing and content creation skills, build my professional portfolio and immerse myself in a culture completely different from my own, all while experiencing a destination I had always dreamed of visiting.
Before this program, I had never traveled outside of the country, so I honestly didn’t know what to expect or how I would handle being in a foreign country for two weeks. Despite my uncertainty, there were several things about Japan that I was especially excited to experience.
I looked forward to visiting a Japanese 7-Eleven, seeing the famous Shibuya Crossing in person, riding a shinkansen, trying matcha and, of course, shopping. Japanese fashion had always stood out to me because of its uniqueness, so I was eager to explore different stores and see the styles firsthand. I was also a little uncertain about how I would handle the workload, but once I got to Japan and started doing assignments, I actually found myself really enjoying creating and editing content more than I thought I would.
While in Japan, I had countless memorable experiences. One of my favorites was participating in a traditional tea ceremony while wearing a kimono. It was fascinating to learn the proper way to prepare matcha, and our instructor’s lesson about ichigo ichie, meaning “one time, one meeting,” particularly resonated with me. The idea of cherishing every moment and encounter as a unique experience felt especially meaningful during my time abroad, as it was a time that truly cannot be replicated.
Another highlight was hiking Mount Misen with our wonderful tour guide Michio-san. One of the best parts of that day was when he took me and some of my classmates to a small traditional mountainside rest stop called Hiramatsu Chiya on Miyajima Island, where I had my favorite meal of the entire trip: udon noodles with beef. After the hike, we rode the cable cars down Mount Misen, which was such a cool experience, as I got to see a beautiful view of the entire island and its landscape.
Other unforgettable experiences included visiting Tokyo Disneyland for the first time, which was especially exciting since I had never been to a Disney park before. I also loved exploring the Tokyo City Flea Market. As someone who enjoys thrifting, it was exciting to browse Japanese clothing, vintage pieces and unique trinkets while experiencing a different secondhand shopping culture.
In addition to exploring Japan, I enjoyed connecting with students at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts in Kyoto. The conversations I had showed me that, despite living on opposite sides of the world, we share many of the same interests, concerns and experiences as college students. It was especially interesting to connect over shared interests and experiences, from discussing our hopes of finding stable jobs after graduation to bonding over K-pop and our mutual love for McDonald’s in Japan. These conversations reminded me that cultural differences often matter less than the common experiences people share.
This experience taught me a lot about myself as an individual. As someone who often gets anxious about doing things alone or trying new things, studying abroad pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident and self-reliant. Although I was traveling with a group, it was my first time being overseas and away from my family for such an extended period, which was both exciting and intimidating. Navigating a new country, adapting to cultural differences and stepping into unfamiliar situations taught me that I am more capable than I had realized.
I experienced many firsts throughout the trip, from navigating airports on my own and taking a long-haul flight to attending a professional baseball game, riding public transportation independently and even getting lost on a bus and finding my way back.
I also pushed myself to try new foods, meet new people, and embrace experiences I might have otherwise avoided. These moments gave me confidence in my ability to handle challenges and showed me that personal growth often comes from stepping outside of what feels comfortable. This experience made me even more eager to travel the world in the future and perhaps even solo travel one day.
On an academic level, I learned how to complete assignments under very tight deadlines. Most days, we were constantly on the go but still had assignments due by the following evening. For example, for our daily blog posts, my partner and I had to take detailed notes, interview people, gather information and document our experiences throughout the day before writing and publishing our stories on this WordPress site that same night.
In addition, one day out of the trip, I was responsible for creating Instagram stories for the SJMC Japan Instagram account to keep followers informed about what we were doing throughout that day. This required me to capture photos and videos in the moment, think creatively and balancing content creation with a busy schedule while still taking time to enjoy and appreciate my experience in Japan.
The assignments we completed during the program taught me how to work diligently under pressure and meet strict deadlines. They also gave me valuable hands-on experience in storytelling, content creation and time management. Looking back, I believe this experience provided a glimpse into what my future career may be like. Since I hope to work in social media marketing, where fast-paced environments and tight deadlines are common, the program helped me develop skills that will be useful in my professional life.
To me, this program was more than just a trip; it was an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. The skills I learned from Professor Gilbert D. Martinez and Professor Sara Shields’ classes, such as writing thoughtful, engaging stories, creating compelling content and crafting effective social media captions, are skills that I will carry with me throughout my collegiate and professional career. I believe this program was an important step in the right direction for my professional development and helped me gain valuable real-world experience in content creation and storytelling.
In addition, producing content for the SJMC Japan social media accounts allowed me to strengthen my creative and communication skills while building my portfolio. I believe the experience and skills I gained through this program will help me stand out when applying for internships and future career opportunities. Beyond the professional benefits, studying abroad in Japan is an experience and accomplishment that I will always be proud of and a story I will enjoy sharing with others for years to come.
After reflecting on my study abroad journey, I can confidently say that studying abroad was a life-changing experience. The skills I developed, the friendships I made, the food I tried, the places I visited and the new perspectives I gained have left a lasting impact on me and are something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
I’ll miss hearing the melodies that played at train stations and crosswalks, walking 20,000 steps a day, Don Quijote trips, learning about temples and shrines, and having a 7-Eleven just a short walk away. These small details became a part of my daily life in Japan and are memories I will always appreciate.
I am incredibly grateful that this program was my introduction to international travel, and I truly believe it has changed me for the better. It has given me new perspectives on life and opened my eyes to how much there is to see and experience beyond the United States.
This experience has sparked an even greater desire to explore the world, immerse myself in new cultures and continue stepping outside of my comfort zone. While this chapter has come to an end, I know the lessons, experiences and memories will stay with me for years to come. I look forward to traveling to many more places in the future, and I hope to one day return to Japan.
About The Author
