Japanese Student's Study Abroad Experience

The student we interviewed about their study abroad experience is Anri. Anri studied abroad in the USA for one month, at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. She says that what inspired her to study abroad was mainly the desire to improve her English ability, but she was also aided by an interest in oversea countries. Anri told us her major was international economics, and many of her friends and classmates were studying abroad to take their courses overseas. It was not a requirement, but the experience would be a big benefit.

Anri took the TOEIC exam and had to pass before going to study in the USA. All of the Japanese students who wished to study abroad to the USA in this program had to take the TOEIC test as a screening test, and the students with the highest results were selected to go. She said it was very difficult studying for the exam but worth it after all, as she says her listening ability has improved after her stay in the USA and she also experienced the American style of university, which is "more free," compared to Japanese schools which focus too much on just studying.

Anri's study abroad experience included a day trip to New York, and also included the opportunity for students to interview Amish people from a farmer's market. She says they had the chance to ask them questions about their religion. Anri lived with an older couple as a homestay for the duration of her study abroad program. She recalls the couple had children who had married and moved out, but the grand-daughter came to their house twice a week and Anri helped take care of her.

Overall, we can see that there was a lot of diversity available for Anri during her studying overseas. Memories such as interviewing people of such a different culture from hers such as Amish stayed in her mind, while she also has warm memories of her homestay family and of American life. She told us she learned a lot and it was a great time for her! The study abroad experience extends past just learning a language and taking classes, and further allows Japanese students to see another culture's way of life and to compare it with the Japanese lifestyle.