Exploring Japan and Making Memories
This study abroad program with CIEE was honestly amazing. I had so much fun being able to experience Japan firsthand, learning about the culture, and trying all the food. From Tokyo to Kyoto, I got to travel around and see temples, shrines, and attractions like Tokyo DisneySea, which was one of my favorite parts of the trip. I also just loved exploring whether it was shopping, walking through new neighborhoods, or just seeing how daily life works in Japan. On top of all that, I made a lot of great friends that I really value, and I hope to see them again in the future.
Skills That Will Stay With Me
One big thing I got out of this program was the soft skills I picked up along the way. In my Japanese Business and Japanese Popular Culture classes, I learned a lot that I’m really glad I had the chance to study. Doing group projects and working with people from different backgrounds taught me how to communicate better and be more open to different ideas. Living in Japan also forced me to be adaptable like figuring out the train system, dealing with the language barrier, and adjusting to how things are done differently here. These skills will help me in a lot of ways. Personally, they made me more confident and independent. Professionally, I know they’ll help me stand out in jobs where working with people from different cultures is important. Academically, I can bring this experience back to Pitt Business, especially in group projects where a global perspective can really make a difference.
Growth and Takeaways for the Future
Looking back, I can tell I’ve grown a lot during this program. I became more independent, more open-minded, and better at handling new situations. I also built a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and business that I never would have gotten just by sitting in a classroom back home. The biggest takeaways for me are the importance of adaptability, cultural awareness, and keeping an open mind. I want to bring those lessons back to Pitt by being more involved, connecting with international students, and applying what I learned in my classes. For the future, I know these skills will help me in my career, especially if I get the chance to work in global business or diverse teams. This program gave me amazing memories I’ll never forget, but it also gave me growth and skills that I’ll use for the rest of my life. I’m really thankful I got the chance to do this, and I truly appreciate everyone who made it possible.