Travel – Page 22 – DU Abroad

What is/are your major(s)?

Sociology and Japanese

What is/are your minor(s)?

Leadership

What is the name of your study abroad program?

Doshisha University – Center for Global Education and Japanese Studies

In what city & country is your study abroad program located?

Kyoto, Japan

What is something you would like the blog readers to know about you that they wouldn’t know by just looking at you?

I want to be a civil rights attorney and work for the ACLU! I am very passionate about civil rights and activism and I want to use this passion to fight for those most marginalized.

What is one thing that you are most anticipating about your study abroad experience?

“Alongside the new cultural experiences, I’m excited to step out of my comfort zone and try new foods! As a neurodivergent person, I have food sensitivities and often struggle to try new things. I love Japanese cuisine, though, and am ready to try it all, from street food to high dining.

I am also anticipating the personal growth I may gain while traveling independently. I have never traveled abroad, nor have I ever traveled without my family, so I am curious as to how I will adjust and adapt to not only a new culture, but also to having my family half way across the world and how my independence and maturity will heighten while I am gone.”

Why did you decide to study abroad? or What inspired you to study abroad?

Being first-generation and low income, just going abroad was a luxury and distant desire I would tell myself to keep in my back pocket as a fleeting wish for the future; a ‘just in case’. Being privileged enough to attend DU and have the opportunity to study abroad without those worries is something that I intend to take full advantage of. I believe the most efficient way to learn a new language is by immersing yourself in the culture and understanding the societal nuances. Without the flexibility and financial incentives to do so at DU, I would not be able to experience this important part of the language learning process. And, having never been abroad, I yearn to experience a new culture.

Hanna’s Blog Posts

Currently sitting at the airport, I find myself in a reflective place while waiting to board my international flight to Spain. It feels so surreal to have just finished my studies in Florence, at Lorenzo de Medici, a mere two weeks ago. I was so glad to be home for the holidays, with family, friends and in a familiar environment. But time flew by, and I found myself juggling trying to see everyone, working, and finding free time. I scrambled to pack the night before leaving, and to prepare myself for a new culture, people, and life living abroad.

Everything has been moving so fast it has been hard to slow down and process. Even at the airport now, the prospect of going abroad again feels so surreal. If I’m going to be completely honest, it has been an emotional roller coaster over the past two months. From applying to study abroad in Barcelona, while still in Florence, to having second thoughts, and being again, emotions have been all over the place. Each week has brought a new feeling towards going abroad again.

It’s been my goal to study abroad in two different countries for as long as I can remember, and to return to Spain. So I cannot wait to be back in Spain, practice my Spanish, learn Catalan and about the Catalonian culture. I must say, having a connection to the country you are going abroad in, whether its through speaking the language, or having travelled there before, is a great way to connect with a culture on a deeper level. Being able to immerse yourself in another lifestyle is such an amazing opportunity for growth in so many ways.

After embarking on many solo travels in Italy, and around Europe, dealing with train strikes, travel mishaps and also the rush of traveling alone, facing so many uncertain factors, I am ready to spend a lot of time in Spain, and explore the country as much as possible.

Mostly, I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to study abroad again, and live in another country for an extended period of time. Especially while having such a great support system and exchange program through DU. Planning trips and travels alone can take so much time and energy, its nice to have things planned for you sometimes, and just enjoy the ride!

Follow along on my time abroad: https://www.instagram.com/pranaphotos_/

Tag: Travel

Introducing Hannah Adams