This summer, a group of 20 students from Oklahoma Christian University studied abroad in Ibaraki, Japan, for six weeks.
Junior Evan Bates said he immediately felt welcomed when arriving in Japan for the first time.
“My experience was amazing. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed by both the wonderful students and faculty at Ibaraki Christian as well as by my host family,” Bates said. “It could be stressful and tiring at times, but I wouldn’t trade anything for the experiences I had while exploring Japan.”
Bates said being surrounded by another culture aids in becoming more open-minded towards others.
“If you have lived your entire life in only one cultural context, it is so easy to become closed-minded or have a narrow view of the world,” Bates said. “Studying abroad challenges those views and opens your mind and heart to other contexts, allowing you to connect with both other people and God much more deeply.”
While study abroad opportunities might raise concerns in students, Bates said traveling with a group helped ease those common nerves.
“I would say, while it’s understandable to be afraid of traveling so far and entering such a different context, there is nothing to fear,” Bates said. “Studying abroad is different from traveling there on your own because you have so many people traveling with you who are ready to support and help you adjust to the new culture you’re stepping into.”
Bates said his biggest takeaway from the trip was to embrace other cultures for what they can teach us.
“My biggest takeaway is other cultures are not something we should fear or avoid,” Bates said. “Instead, we should learn from them and seek to understand them, because doing this can allow us to learn new things which can be applied to our own culture.”
As advice for other students considering a study abroad opportunity, Bates said this.
“I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about studying abroad to do so, whether you’re going to Japan or anywhere else,” Bates said. “I’m sure it will become an invaluable experience for you, just as it has for me. It will help you grow both as a person and as a child of God while also being a whole lot of fun.”
Junior Kylie Pitman said one of her favorite things about being in Japan was admiring the beauty of her surroundings.
“Being in Japan was really unbelievable. One of my favorite things about the trip was waking up and just being in awe everyday,” Pitman said. “You look out the window and everything is different from what you’re used to seeing.”
Pitman said her flexibility was challenged on this trip.
“You have to be flexible,” Pitman said. “Even though you have a schedule or a plan for the trip, anything can happen.”
Pitman said her biggest takeaway was found in not just the differences, but the similarities of the culture.
“My biggest takeaway was the idea that, although we are different from other cultures, we are also similar,” Pitman said. “I was the odd one out and still felt there were ways we could connect and find similarities.”
Kelsey Herndon, Assistant Director of International Programs, said study abroad trips help students to come across differences.
“I think the most significant thing is helping students experience differences, to open their hearts and minds to new things and to tear down the walls we build up,” Herndon said. “We live in a global world, and it’s important to live at peace with one another.”
Herndon said a highlight students had in common was their homestays with the Japanese families.
“For most students, their homestays are the highlight of the trip,” Herndon said. “They all love the families they stay with. The Japanese people are very humble and hospitable.”
Herndon said students gain confidence when they experience differences, such as on study abroad trips.
“One of the most transformative aspects of studying abroad is the confidence people gain,” Herndon said. “They realize they can do something which is really hard, and it makes a long-lasting impact.”
For students considering studying abroad, Herndon said to travel now while the opportunity is available.
“Don’t wait. Now is the time to travel,” Herndon said “Don’t let the time, money or fear of missing out on anything stop you. Go travel.”
To learn more about study abroad opportunities at Oklahoma Christian, follow this link.
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