This spring semester I studied through the CIC program at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan. Before studying abroad, I’ve never left the country before, so I knew that this experience would be equally eye-opening and challenging. I chose to study in Japan with the CIC program because I wanted to experience life in a country that functioned totally unlike the United States, and I also wanted to immerse myself in a country with a predominantly different language. The dorm I stayed in specifically catered to international and Japanese students living together, which allowed me to collaborate and interact with people from many different countries and cultures. The International Office at Rikkyo was very active and hosted many on-campus events, ranging from student discussion seminars to hands-on collaborative events, all which were easy to attend and allowed me to make many international and Japanese friends. I really appreciated Rikkyo’s efforts in making international students feel welcome and their ability to provide resources for both personal and academic help.
One thing I noticed and experienced while in Japan that made my experience special includes the balance between modernity and traditional historical elements. For example, it’s quite common to walk past an old temple or shrine and then turn the corner and see a convenience store just a few feet away. The prioritization of comfort in the city/Tokyo area is certainly convenient, and it was interesting to see the ways in which the country has gone about balancing modern luxury with the preservation of historic cultural heritages. A larger element I noticed that made my studying abroad unique is experiencing Japanese culture and realizing just how hospitable Japanese people can be. When taking the train, everyone lines up neatly at the gates and lets others get off the train before getting on themselves. When eating at a restaurant, the entire staff will often call out to greet you when you enter and thank you when you leave. Even when I went with a group of friends to a beach outside of Tokyo and our car got stuck in a ditch, workers from a nearby restaurant and elderly men from surrounding houses all came out and helped pull the car out, refusing any of our offerings as a thank you. While I can’t say every Japanese person is perfect, the majority are very selfless, helpful, and kind in welcoming outsiders into their culture and society.
By studying in Tokyo, I’ve gained many practical skills I wouldn’t have learned otherwise had I not studied abroad. I’ve improved my Japanese language skills (even without taking a formal Japanese class), gained confidence in navigating unfamiliar systems like trains/public transportation, and overall have a better understanding of Japanese culture one can only attain by living in the country for an extended period. I’m deeply thankful to UTC and Rikkyo University for giving me this incredible opportunity to study in Japan for a short while, and I hope anyone considering studying abroad will act and take advantage of the opportunity!
Madeline Raasch (BS Communication) spent the Spring 2025 semester studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan at Rikkyo University. Madeline had the following to say about studying abroad, “Experiencing and living in a new country 100% pushed me outside of my comfort zone. The greatest lessons came from the moments I wasn’t able to control – don’t let it stop you from trying new things and connecting with others, it’ll allow you to discover new parts of yourself you didn’t know previously existed.”
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