Students make first Japan Intersession trip

Over Intersession, 11 students travelled to Japan to further their knowledge of modern Japanese political history and Japanese culture.

Taught by instructors Fabian Bauwens of the political science department and Hitomi Nakamura of Nanzan University in Nagoya, the course, called “From Meiji to Manga — An interactive exploration of modern Japanese Politics and History,” was split into two parts. One part took place at Hopkins at the start of Intersession and the second part was held at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan.

At the end of the course, the students submitted a research paper on a topic of their choice that related to Japanese politics, history or culture.

Liz Stillman, a sophomore Global Environmental Change and Sustainability (GECS) major and Entrepreneurship and Management minor, was one of the students who travelled abroad to Japan.

“My motivation behind going on this trip was simply the fact that I had never been to Japan or even traveled to Asia before,” she wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “My brother studied abroad in China when he was in college and made it his duty to convince me to explore Asia like he had done. He sold me on this idea by explaining that the Asian cultures are so far-fetched from any sort of preconceived notion we may have about places like Europe and South America, that they seem almost alien.”

She wrote that Japan seemed to be the ideal place in which one could become acquainted with Asia, an idea echoed by Aaron Cary, a sophomore majoring in International Studies who also went on the trip.

“Since starting Japanese freshman year it had been a dream of mine to go with my friends from class. It’s incredible that we were lucky enough to have that come true,” Cary wrote in an email to The News-Letter.

Most of the students were pleased with the culture shock they experienced in Japan.

“The vending machines are awesome, so stocked with both cold and hot drinks (sometimes also cigarettes and food), plus there are at least two machines on every block,” Stillman wrote.

Andrew Johnson, a sophomore majoring in history, also enjoyed the experience.

“The trip was definitely a life changing experience and one of the best two weeks of my life,” he wrote in an email to The News-Letter.

Although the students toured Nagoya, Tokyo and Kyoto, they only worked with university students in Nagoya.

“We got to know them outside of the classroom [at Nanzan University] and bonded during karaoke nights. We also collaborated with the students on presentations which compared the cultural and educational systems of the United States and Japan,” Johnson wrote.

Other students also cemented friendships with their Japanese counterparts.

“Our time studying at Nanzan University was great — we made friends with a group of students there that we became very close with (and they are actually coming to visit us at Hopkins in March),” Stillman wrote.

Cary agreed. “It was a familiar feeling to see so many genuinely passionate students who were dedicated to changing the world around them. They were especially attentive, polite, and helpful. We loved hanging out with them,” he wrote.

The students noted the difference between Japanese communal-based society and the individualistic attitudes of the United States.

“Everyone is taught a common proverb, ‘The nail that sticks out shall be hammered down.’ Japanese culture is centered around working towards the greater good and putting the whole before the individual,” wrote Stillman.

Molly Pitegoff, a junior majoring in Public Health Studies, was also driven by curiosity to explore the country.

“I wanted to learn more about their incredible healthcare system and the history behind it, as well as visiting such a cool country,” she said.

Students particularly enjoyed the food on the trip.

“The sushi places were really cool! There was one place where they delivered all the plates past your table on conveyor belts and another where the sushi was delivered to you in boats,” Johnson wrote.

Most students, including Cary, also expressed a desire to return and stay in Japan longer on another visit.

“All I could ask for now is more time there,” he wrote.