I came to International Christian University very excited, but also with many anxieties. Not only was this my first time in Japan, but I had only been taking Japanese classes for a year before ISPJ. I was concerned about my ability to navigate the country as well as being behind many of my peers. Thankfully, all of my worries disappeared soon after I met the cohort of students I would later call my friends. Each person I met was more than kind and patient, and their grace was key to helping me feel more comfortable. On one group excursion, for example, we went on to a train station near campus, and I was having trouble ordering my food. A friend of mine came over and helped me explain the issue I was having to the store person and manager in Japanese, and I was able to get my food! Moments like these made me grateful to be surrounded by people who were willing to lend a hand, and I was motivated to learn from my peers and improve. The value of such experiential learning cannot be understated; just being around people speaking, attempting to respond, or just listening all helped me improve and develop my confidence in navigating by myself. By the end of the program, though not perfectly, I was able to effectively communicate with others in Japanese, from checking out at stores and ordering food. 

A crucial part of this growth, however, occurred in the classroom as well as outside of it. Each of my teachers were incredibly helpful, attentive, and committed to my growth. I may not have always understood what was going on in class, but our teachers were always accommodating and willing to explain again. Our language teachers were always gracious with their feedback and encouraged us to continue growing and refining our skills. Learning is always easier when your instructors are not just supportive, but they actively believe in your success, and this is what I found when studying Japanese at ICU.

Because of ISPJ, I was able to have an immersive experience surrounded by a nurturing community. I left the program with more confidence in myself and my speaking skills, cultural knowledge and experiences, and new friends. ISPJ is an experience I will not forget, and I would encourage anyone considering this amazing opportunity to take the plunge.

Having been born and raised in Japan, it was extremely meaningful—and offered me an entirely new perspective—to study Japanese culture together with overseas students, a culture I had previously understood only intuitively or unconsciously. The omnibus-style classes, which examined the concept of uchi and soto from multiple angles such as history, religion, anthropology, and environmental studies, were truly fascinating. They helped me appreciate the deeper layers behind ideas I had always taken for granted.

The fieldwork was equally rewarding, including visiting Meiji Shrine, exploring the Miraikan science museum, and experiencing rakugo storytelling. Since I am enrolled in a Japanese language teacher training program myself, living in the ICU dorm with overseas students who are studying Japanese, attending classes with them, and participating as a volunteer in Japanese-language courses all gave me valuable insights from the perspective of language education as well.

On our days off, I spent time with the overseas students—going out to Shibuya or Shin-Ōkubo, joining my roommate for a summer festival, celebrating her birthday, cooking meals together in the dorm after class, and even having takoyaki parties. Every day was full of fun, and I was able to become close friends with the overseas students.

I did not have much confidence in speaking English, so I decided to participate in ISPJ to improve myself during the summer vacation. Before joining the program, I felt a lot of anxiety and nervousness about living in an unfamiliar environment. However, because it was a dormitory program, I was able to get along with my friends very quickly. I especially became close with my roommate, and we still keep in touch today!

At ISPJ, interactions with exchange students were very active, and I had many opportunities to use English in my daily life. As a result, I naturally started speaking English more often, not only in class but also in everyday conversations, and I was surprised to see how much my English skills improved. In addition, taking Japan Studies, a field I had never studied before allowed me to gain new insights into Japanese culture and history from various perspectives, which broadened my knowledge greatly.

The three weeks I spent in ISPJ were extremely meaningful and unforgettable for me. I strongly feel that I want to make use of this experience in my future learning and challenges.