Participating in the ISPJ program will definitely be one of the most unforgettable experiences in my university life. Through the program, there are so many opportunities that I can step out of my comfort zone, with an incredibly enriching academic and cultural immersion in Japan.

One of the features of the ISPJ program is the curriculum of Japanese studies. Cultural psychology, environment, Japanese literature… There is a wide range of topics, which allows me to understand the aspects of various Japanese culture. Teachers and peers are always supportive, with also the guidance from local students, my learning experience in ISPJ is enjoyable and effective. Living in the dormitory is surely another highlight of the program. It provides a lively environment where I can experience what it is like to be a university student in Japan. It further allows me to practice Japanese outside of classroom. 

Like most people, I came in with nearly-paralyzing nerves about my Japanese level, social battery, money, managing my own expectations, etc. However, by the end of the program, we had passed several notes, made new Waseigo words (that made no sense), and laughed at hundreds of hilariously terrible Japanese-English mixed ‘Your Mama’ jokes. Because of the friends that I made, instructors, instructors, etc in the program, there was more than one way to exercise my Japanese language and history skills which allowed for further growth and flexibility with bunpo . For one, I could go out to Karaoke and unintentionally practice the kanji that I learned, or I could listen to conversation while on the way to the nearby konbini for a late night snack. 

The lecturers were incredibly interesting – my most favorite being an elective to the Yuasa Hachiro Museum on Ukiyo-e and the history of ICU as it relates to 1868 and WW2 taught by Professor Emeritus William Steele. I loved this part so much that I presented it with 4 other people as a final group presentation which focused on ‘Daily Life as Seen in Yuasa Hachiro Museum’ and centered on Ukiyo-e as a tool for political satire during the latter half of the Meiji period. Other than this, my favorite memory was eating omurice at a maid cafe from Steins Gate on the last day of the program with friends. Now, I had never seen the anime, but my friends (geeky) excitement to take pictures with a cat-ear-dawning cardboard cutout was enough to make me (geekily) excited, too. In the cafe, because of what I believe was the comfort and confidence we gained through the program, we spoke Japanglish to each other, read off of an entirely Japanese menu and were even able to (geekily) speak to the in-character waitresses to reenact a scene. 

Overall, I'm incredibly happy that I was able to join the program because there was a heavy emphasis on academics. Because of this emphasis, it prepared me for the fun f being in Japan and growing my confidence to be able to be engaged in Japanese with family after the program.

I decided to participate in the ISPJ program because I wanted to make the most of my long summer break at ICU. Before joining the program, I thought that it would only focus on Japanese culture. However, after actually participating, I was able to enjoy comparing not only Japanese culture but also other cultures through interaction with international students. In particular, I was able to enjoy living in the dormitory very much as I made new discoveries every day, such as food culture and lifestyle.