Study Abroad

Joeshua L.

Momoyama Gakuin University- Osaka, Japan

This past year I was given the amazing opportunity to travel to Asia where I studied abroad and took advantage of a new environment to try some new things. My journey began in Korea for the fall semester. My studies focused on the Korean language at Kyonggi University. I thought this decision would free me from some of the burden and stress that taking both Korean courses and university classes would inevitably cause, but the Korean classes themselves were intense. Still I managed to find some free time to see castles and other historic sites, travel to several cities and make wonderful friends. I would see some of these friends again on my next stop in Japan. A mere 3 weeks after my adventure in Korea ended I went to Japan to continue my Asian tour. I loved every second of it; from the wild times with my fellow exchange students to the culture and the food.  Yet I don’t think I would have enjoyed it half as much, if at all, if I had not learned what I did in Korea. While my time in Korea was often difficult and nerve wrecking, it was an experience that helped me grow tremendously. Whether it was adjusting to the food or the utensils used to eat the food or relearning how to talk to someone, these simple lessons proved invaluable and I hope to make good use of them for the rest of my life. Here are some pictures from my time in Japan: