UGA - Public Health - Public Health and Culture in Japan : Testimonials (Kitakyushu)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by UGA StudyAway
Final Reflection Questions
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I really enjoyed the 3 night home-stays with the Japanese families, and meeting with the Japanese students and just getting to know them! I also really enjoyed going to the beach for the two days that we did - it was beautiful! Visiting the Hiroshima Peace Museum & Memorial was also a very emotional experience. It was interesting to learn about another country's perspective of WWII and the attack on Hiroshima.
— Camilla Herndon, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Japan's healthcare system is so much more about treating the people and making sure the community is healthy, as opposed to the US where healthcare systems are about making money. There is a much larger community dynamic in Japan and people genuinely care about each other.
— Jaspal Mahal, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Experiencing the Asian culture was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Interacting with Japanese students and locals encouraged me to be a more open minded and patient individual, as well as gave me the chance to value all that is different and wonderful about Japanese people.
— Kathleen Osborne, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Getting to experience so many styles of living (food, sleeping arrangements, clothing, geographic regions) within the country.
— Antonella Cirino, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I loved how easy it was to travel in Japan and the ease of walking or taking the train daily. I also loved meeting the Japanese students and being able to form relationships with them after just knowing each other for a few days.
— Olivia Fassino, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Learn key phrases like "thank you," "hello," and so on in Japanese and become familiar with traditional Japanese food because it's very different from American-Japanese food. Make sure you buy the Wifi hotspot so you can have internet access where ever you go - bring an external battery to charge cameras/cell phones etc. Bring comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to do A LOT of walking. Consider traveling to Japan a week early by yourself or with other students to see more cities and tourist places outside of what the study abroad program offers. Take time to rest and get a good night's sleep - take care of your body in general! Learn to use chopsticks!!! Take sunscreen for the beach! The Japanese students are so excited to meet with American students, so download their form of social media (LINE) and meet up with them for dinners and karaoke!!! Pack light - there are washer/dryer units at all the hotels/hostels - that way you have more room to bring back souvenirs! Japan is a very safe country and everyone is so polite, so be sure to be respectful! Don't let the costs of the program deter you from participating - it was an amazing cultural experience and so worth it!!!
— Camilla Herndon, Summer 2017 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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When packing luggage, only take what you can carry while traveling through train stations, up/down stairs, and on escalators.
— Olivia Fassino, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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It definitely inspired me to learn another language and become bilingual. The program reassured me that I'm in the right field of study.
— Camilla Herndon, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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This experience made me realize how different Asian and Western cultures are and how important it is to fully immerse ourselves into a different environment. I loved being able to see every part of Japan during our trip- mountains, ocean, city, & countryside.
— Olivia Fassino, Summer 2019 |