When SJMC Japan students departed the United States on June 2, it began their two-week study abroad journey in Japan. Before leaving, the group attended two orientation meetings, where many students shared their excitement, nervousness and concerns about the 10+ hour long flight. For many, this was their first time traveling internationally, making the experience both exciting and unfamiliar.
As departure day approached, feelings of anticipation and disbelief grew among the students. The reality of traveling overseas began to sink in, while questions about what to expect during such a long flight lingered. With many students experiencing international travel for the first time, the journey itself became an important part of the learning experience before even arriving in Japan.
All SJMC Japan students had different ways of coping with the long flight. Advertising junior Kaylan Mozell expressed that taking Dramamine helped her cope with the long flight, saying that she “heard that a lot of people who have flight anxiety feel better after taking it” and that she “felt so much better” after relaxing her nerves for the flight in that way.
Meanwhile, SJMC Japan Program Assistant Erika Costello, an experienced international traveler, shared several tips for managing a long-haul flight. Costello said one of her biggest recommendations is to wear compression socks, as they help “elevate pain or pressure felt from the waist down when flying.”
She also suggested bringing entertainment, noting that “having a good playlist or podcast to listen to can help pass time.”
One of Costello’s more unique travel strategies involved using ChatGPT to prepare for the trip. She explained that she used ChatGPT “to help figure out a good sleeping schedule to not be jet lagged,” allowing her to adjust her routine before arriving in Japan.
The flight was smooth, and the hospitality was exceptional. When boarding the flight, students found slippers, a blanket and a pillow to bring comfort while aboard. Students also received dinner and breakfast while on the flight, which was one of the exciting parts of the flight.
“The food was actually better than I thought it was going to be,” journalism senior Fayth Walsh said. “That might be a hot take, but I actually kinda liked the food.” For airplane food, the meals we received were very delicious and filling.
Airport arrival.
Walsh also said that a helpful tip that helped her on the flight was “sleeping the first half of the flight” as she was worried about being jet lagged. She said that helped her and that after landing, she “wasn’t really that tired.”
After being on the flight for a couple of hours, time actually seemed to go by far faster. We ended up landing in Japan about an hour earlier than expected, which was a plus. When we landed at Haneda Airport, we grabbed our checked bags and then headed through customs. Going through customs was something some students and faculty were worried about, but it was actually a simple process thanks to our filling out customs and immigration information online beforehand. When going through customs, you had to scan your passport and your index finger, and then get a stamp put in your passport so that you could enter the country.
For the airport itself, students would agree that it was well organized. There was a lot of security and the airport was unexpectedly very hot.
After securing our bags and going through customs, it was time for some of us to obtain pocket Wi-Fi devices. Most SJMC Japan students reserved a device before the trip and were scheduled to pick up at the airport. The process was simple. Students went to their designated pick-up spot, showed employees the QR code and were handed a pocket Wi-Fi to help them on a daily basis while in Japan and to stay connected with family and friends back home.
After that, the SJMC Japan team hopped on a bus and set off to Tokyo, the first city of the three stops students will be visiting.
Overall, the flight and airport experience in Japan was something new for all SJMC Japan students. It was a long but unforgettable travel day that we will never forget.
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