Students Voice

2016

I knew the minute I landed that this summer session would help me grow as a person and an academic. Waseda Summer Session was an absolute fun experience and provided me with a great time for my first time leaving my home country. Tokyo and the Waseda campus was an awesome place to be and I really enjoyed my residence in Takadanobaba. I was able to see what life was like living in Japan and attending a university. It was really cool seeing the college district and being able to eat, shop, and explore Takadanobaba and Tokyo.

During the session I had so many great experiences and made many great friends along the way. It was so great to meet people not only from Japan, but also other countries across the globe and share our experiences and cultures together. I made friends from Thailand, Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the United States. I learned a great deal about Japanese culture, as well as myself throughout this process. I was able to open up to new ideas and ways of life and grow as an open minded individual.

I came out of my shell a lot during the Waseda Summer Session and became an independent person. I learned how to be out of my comfort zone and still grow as an individual. Waseda Summer Session provided me not only with the tools for learning about Japan, but new experiences like watching fireworks in Yokohama, going to an onsen in Nikko or doing karaoke in Ikebukuro, where I also had the chance for great learning experiences. I was even able to learn Japanese words and phrases and conduct interviews and talk with Japanese shoppers in Harajuku! The fun experiences and memories within the summer session are endless.

Waseda Summer Session was a great way to spend my summer and I wish I could have stayed longer with everyone in Japan. Through this study abroad I learned that I am extremely interested in learning more about Japan and hopefully interning in Tokyo or Kyoto next summer. I hope that I will be able to visit Japan again and gain even more knowledge and experiences!