My Exchange Program to Tokyo, Japan

Studying abroad will be an experience of a lifetime. Going beyond the US Coastlines that I have never crossed will get be valuable life lessons that I must learn to be successful in my future career. I want to increase my knowledge both inside and outside of the classroom, and I believe the best way to do that for me is to continue to go beyond those small town borders that have kept me

I had the amazing privilege to serve as an informal ambassador for my country of birth (Italy), clearing up cultural stereotypes, and creating positive connections between two cultures. I had the joy of meeting people from other cultures. Sharing problems, connecting with cultural differences and similarities gave me the opportunity to learn not only about other cultures but also about local and global issues. The desire to understand these issues, and to solve them (like for example immigration issues with Mexican-born people living in the United States) inspired me to apply for the study abroad program-language immersion in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

With an increase in student mobility around the world, there are many positive outcomes related to learning a different set of education from their home country and obtaining intercultural experiences with a global mindset. On the other hand, students may struggle with different challenges, which they may have unexpected to encounter.

My experience with a bilingual and bicultural upbringing has given me an insatiable curiosity for all languages, cultures, histories, and places. It has also equipped me with the necessary skills to function in diverse environments and easily adapt to new situations. When I think of my future with its many unknowns, there are a few things of which I am certain: I want to study abroad, keep uttering first words in new languages, and become a truly international citizen of the

I have always wanted to travel during college to study, volunteer, or both, and the study abroad programs and scholarships pertaining to the Honors LLC will allow me to achieve these dreams. I believe traveling to new places is an unparalleled method of learning, as traveling exposes you to ideas, customs, and mannerisms that no textbook can ever teach. In today’s global society, being aware of other cultures is crucial from a personal, business, and societal standpoint.

Around 300,000 American students are able to partake in studying abroad each year (Klebnikov, Sergei). With over 7 billion people spread throughout the world we may think that experiencing places in our own county is seemingly impossible. However, today we have so many opportunities to travel the world as young people. Iowa State University has focused on giving students of all different backgrounds the ability to go out and experience the world.

The study abroad program that I am most interested in would have to be the Semester at Sea. The program is offered in the Fall and Spring. The ship travels to over twelve countries where students are able to gain hands on field experience, and meaningful engagement in the global community. (semesteratsea.org) “Our program exposes students to cultures that most students have only read about in books. Exposure to new cultures and people of the world will give new perspectives.” (semesteratsea.org) “While in each country you will have the opportunity to participate in field labs, field programs and other actives that will help push your understanding of the world into new directions.” I am looking forward to tacking advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to travel the world. I plan to participate in this program the summer of my junior year here at Bowling Green. I highly suggest Bowling Green to any student looking at colleges because of their; excellent academic programs, social opportunities, and Study Abroad

My intended major is that of bachelors in Japanese. Japanese has always been an interest to me as I grew up in the Japanese side of my household. Due to this upbringing I have been exposed to Japanese culture since I can remember. Though my Father and Grandparents refused to teach me the language as a young age, they began to support my interest in the language and culture when I started journey in Mira Costa Community College. In Mira Costa, while taking my first Japanese course, I was introduced to the Japanese club at the college. In this Club, the members made sure to create activities and programs that would help spread the culture and knowledge of Japanese and the language. Along with this came people that introduced myself to the International

From taking the course in Japan and living with a host family, I had learned a new language that can benefit me to open more career opportunities. If I didn’t go to Japan I might never learn Japanese. I will add in my personal challenge I had faced when I am making the decision to apply for study abroad and the challenge I encounter after I got accepted. As well as some of the challenge I face while living in Japan. The idea of stepping out of comfort zone was not easy, especially spending life in a different country that shares different culture and language. I want to join the Year in Japan program coordinator together to promote the Country of Japan, and encourage the student to step out of their comfort zone and try to consider a country to study abroad where English is not the primary

Moreover, we are all deemed to live in a fast-pace and constantly advancing world, which bring the idea of global study to the front of spotlight. On my path of exploring Japan and Rome through studying Japanese

Ever since I can remember I have had an intense curiosity about the world and the people in it. This is probably due mostly to my parents who read to me nonstop but it has fuelled most of my learning experiences and given me a love of the world and of people, and the understanding of both of those. This love was further developed when I began four years of learning Attic Greek and Latin through a classical education. Then, after yearning to go overseas since I was eight years old and saving for it most of the time since then, I made it to England for six weeks this summer. Here my appetite for understanding is being indulged not just with words and pictures but with real world experiences which I can touch, see, and hear. Now, as I near the end of my stay, I am looking ahead to the rest of high school and I have decided I want to make the most of my junior and

In July 2014, I took the amazing opportunity to study abroad at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. While living on campus, there were many occasions when I would share with local students while exchanging language tips and discussed our respective cultures. The most memorable experiences I learned was how to speak Kansai-ben and, in return, teaching common New York City such as "fuhgeddaboutit". This journey ignited my motivation to complete my degree to prepare for my next exchange in

In like words to Albert Einstein, John Dewey once stated “education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” An immensely powerful blessing found in attending an international school has been becoming a person who thrives and enjoys learning amongst a seemingly endless multitude of cultures. The opportunity to essentially become immersed in different cultures gave me a personal conviction to go out and serve underserved regions of the world. Through my missions and travels, I have learned that how we face both diversity and adversity define who I am. The value of an education is determined by the one who receives it and what he or she chooses to do with it.

Opportunity to travel abroad: traveling to another country enables you to get a complete picture of the culture, it also helps to enhance your interpersonal skills as well as your communication skills and it enables you to appreciate new customs. (San Diego State University, n.d.)

“In 2006 to 2007, according to the data compiled by the Institute of International Education, 582,984 students from all over the world were enrolled in American colleges and universities in a wide range of fields” (Carter, Paragraph 2, 2008). The United States has the highest number of students who are coming to study abroad than any other countries. Each year, the number of international students coming to the United States to obtain degrees is increasing by thousands, and home countries of these students are primarily India, China and Korea, all located in the whole different continent. But what are the motives of students who are crossing the sea to study? Their goal of studying abroad is to experience diversity and to adapt attitudes