I had always dreamed of studying in a country other than Japan, which inspired me to pursue study abroad. I chose the United States because I wanted to learn more about its multicultural society, as well as African American history and education. Among the many universities in California, I chose a university near Los Angeles that offered convenient access to the city and other attractions, while also providing a comfortable climate with mild winters and plenty of sunny days.

I had some difficulty obtaining my visa, and there was a period when I was worried about whether I would actually be able to go abroad as planned.

Since I would be taking classes alongside local students, I focused mainly on improving my listening and speaking skills. Even so, I found that English spoken in everyday situations was much faster than I had expected, so I wish I had started working on my English skills more seriously at an earlier stage.

The campus was spacious and had a relaxed atmosphere. Many of the students were easygoing, and I often saw them studying outdoors.

I joined a Japanese American student club and participated in events organized by my residence hall.

There was also a “buddy program” that paired international students with local students, and I enjoyed exploring different cafés with my buddy. It was a great opportunity to meet local students and learn more about everyday life in California.

Many of the classes were discussion-based. One class involved writing papers based on poetry and films, which I found particularly interesting.

The exams themselves were not very different from those in Japan. However, during the exam period, the library was open 24 hours a day, and seeing so many students studying so hard and with such enthusiasm was very inspiring and motivated me to work harder as well.

I also traveled to New York during my study abroad experience, and comparing the two, I felt that California was more relaxed and blessed with abundant natural surroundings.

The ocean was close by, and there were so many sunny days that I found it an incredibly comfortable place to live. It was also easy to travel between the university and Los Angeles by train and other forms of public transportation. Disneyland Resort was nearby as well, so there were plenty of ways to enjoy my weekends to the fullest.

Preparing for exams was challenging. Some exams required us to read and analyze a wide range of materials and then write detailed answers.

During exam periods, I studied hard with my friends in the library and at our residence hall. Studying together helped us stay motivated and supported one another through the challenging periods.

I had many concerns about studying abroad as well, but looking back, I feel that what I learned and gained from the experience far outweighed those worries.

Studying abroad also gave me the opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds and broaden my perspective.

I was able to study abroad with the support of the staff at Sophia University’s Center for Global Education. If you are unsure whether to study abroad, I encourage you to take the first step by simply talking to the Center. It may be the beginning of an experience that opens up many new possibilities for you.