Stephanie, a student from China, agreed. When asked why she chose to come to Kyoto on a study program rather than on vacation, she explained that though this is her second time visiting Kyoto, this time around is very different: “I never got to experience any of this my last time here. I feel like I got a different understanding of Japanese culture. If you’re only traveling here, you’re only a tourist, it’s mostly about sightseeing, shopping a lot, but… [on study abroad] you get to experience the culture, you get to understand the history behind [it], as well as what it’s like in daily life for Japanese people, because you actually get to make friends, and you’re chatting with them and you can hang out with them, so it’s a lot more interesting. You learn a lot from the cultural perspective, as well as the historical perspective, so it’s amazing, yeah.”

Chan Ka Yi from Hong Kong is the youngest on this year’s summer program at age sixteen, and though she had some doubts at first—“This is my first time going somewhere else outside my country all by myself, and I was pretty scared”—she said she’s been having a lot of fun since she arrived in japan. “Everyone has been so kind, and shown me what to do. So even if you’re worried about going by yourself, you’ll be fine, because the others will help you out…. All the older girls have been so sweet to me….I think this program has been really fun so far. I got to study a lot of different things, so that was great.”

Kyoto is waiting for you

After a whirlwind two weeks in Japan, the students will be back in their home countries, but we hope to see them again, soon! For those who don’t have the time, or perhaps the budget to participate in a full year or semester of study abroad, short programs like this year’s, “From Anime to Zen,” can be a wonderful way to get a taste of Japan (The Consortium of Universities in Kyoto offers a short-term summer and winter program). There’s a spot on next year’s program with your name on it!

Day 1 Sun AM Arrival PM Orientation Meet student buddies Hotel Check-in

Day 2 Mon AM Lecture – Kyoto, Japan Introduction PM Kyoto Half-day Tour

Day 3 Tue AM Lecture – Japan&West Historical Relationship PM Visit Keage, Nanzenji Temple (Higashiyama area)

Day 4 Wed AM Lecture – Japanese Politics PM Ikebana (Ikenobo style) Experience

Day 5 Thu AM Lecture – Japanese Business (idol group AKB48 and KAIZEN) PM Visit Manga Museum, Manga workshop

Day 6 Fri AM Lecture – Japanese Food Culture and Food Education PM Nishiki market walking tour

Day 7 Sat Activities with Japanese Student Buddy

Day 8 Sun Free day

Day 9 Mon AM Lecture – Japanese Haiku Tanka PM Furoshiki wrapping workshop

Day 10 Tue AM Lecture – Yokai and Ghost in Japan (Anthropology) PM Myoshinji Zen experience

Day 11 Wed AM Lecture – The Business of Japanese Pop Culture PM Lecture – A History of Shojo Manga

Day 12 Thu AM Visit Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts PM Presentation Preparation

Day 13 Fri AM Presentation PM Farewell

Day 14 Sat AM Hotel check-out

For more details and application info, check out the Kyoto Study Program!