Ellie Min's Spotlight
Ellie Min
About Ellie
Ellie Min is a third-year student at Penn State University Park majoring in Japanese and International Politics. During the academic year 2022-23 term, Ellie studied abroad through our IES: Nagoya, Nanzan University program.
Continue reading to learn more about how Ellie chose a program, lessons Ellie took from an experience abroad, and the highlights of time abroad in Japan in Ellie's own words!
Ellie Min in a park during cherry blossom season in Japan while studying abroad
Ellie in a kimono in Kyoto, Japan while traveling on a weekend away from Nagoya.
Photo Ellie captured visiting the annual Snow Festival in Sapporo, Japan
Photo Ellie captured of the Kinkaku-ji Zen temple in Kyoto, Japan.
Ellie's Education Abroad Experience
"I am in the Japanese program here at Penn State, so I believed that studying abroad would enhance my language skills. I also chose a place that was not as busy as Tokyo, but not too quiet, either.
My favorite moment from my experience has to be going to karaoke with my friends and meeting Japanese people who would join our karaoke session. I also lived in an international dorm that was mixed with international students and Japanese students. The interactions with all of them were so fun, and I still keep in contact with some of them. They taught me new words, and I never got homesick while I was there.
Something surprising about my time abroad was that it was definitely hard to adjust coming back. I never needed a car in Japan since public transportation is so reliable. I had to re-learn how to drive after a year being there.
I believe anyone who is interested in a language or country should study abroad. You will never get a full experience, unless you live in that country. It might be difficult and stressful at times, but I never regretted it. This experience made me want to be able to strengthen the relationship between Japan and America, whether it is through the government or an organization."