CIS Abroad - Summer in Asia - Japan & South Korea

The six weeks in Japan and Korea were eventful and overwhelming at the same time.
The class I took in Japan was Japanese Anime and Popular Culture. As a big anime fan, I was really excited to learn anime history and see things in person. While in Korea I really enjoyed my class Introduction to the world of Korean religions. We learned so much about Korean history and religions. On most days we went on field trips to Buddhist temples, new religions churches, and an LDS church, while also having guest speakers like a Buddhist monk, Shaman, and a Catholic priest. I got to see different cultures firsthand and learn many perspectives. While getting out of my comfort zone, see, and learn so much through studying abroad through CIS Abroad and doing content creation with CEA CAPA. It was a privilege and having the support of staff made it so welcoming. I will forever cherish my new friends, and time spent abroad this summer.

I had a great experience with CIS Abroad. They made the entire process easy and seamless, so I didn’t have to worry about logistics and could just look forward to going abroad. One of the things I appreciated most was how they offered organized activities to fill our time. It was nice knowing that if I didn’t want to plan anything, there were always options available.

The program also did a great job of helping us get settled when we arrived. They guided us through important necessities like getting transportation cards and learning how to use the local transit systems, which was incredibly helpful. It made adjusting to a new place much less overwhelming, and they were always there as an extra pair of hands whenever I needed help or guidance.

At the same time, the program gave us plenty of free time to explore on our own. I was able to take a day trip to Kamakura and visit places like Jeju and Busan. Having that balance between structured activities and independent travel made the experience even more meaningful.

Overall, I really enjoyed how the program kept us engaged while still allowing us the freedom to explore and learn in our own way. It was a perfect mix of guidance and independence, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

From the moment I learned about study abroad, I knew I wanted to participate in a program once I started college. The opportunity to not just travel to another part of the world but learn and earn credits while doing so was incredibly appealing. When I learned about the CIS Abroad Summer in Asia - Japan & South Korea program, I immediately applied, since visiting Japan was on my bucket list. Thankfully, I was accepted into the two-month program, which resulted in one of the best summers of my life. I met so many unique, smart, and kind people - some of whom I still keep in touch with today! | experienced new traditions, activities, music, and fashion; tried new foods and navigated my way around using public transportation. Studying abroad also helped me gain new knowledge, not only at the academic level, but on personal one as well. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and see the world through a different global perspective.