All posts by Sara Bruya

SPC student discovers efficiency and cleanliness in Japan

Japan 2024, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Japan

Elders sweeping the streets, personal hand towels, and broad public recycling observed during study abroad in Japan.

– Rosemary King, SPC Student, Japan Program, May 2019

Visiting Tokyo, Japan was a dream come true. I was a little hesitant because of the cost, but with the help of a scholarship from the SPC Foundation, my dream occurred.

Gyfton and me at a temple. Photo by Rosemary King.

Japan is unique because of its limited space, cleanliness, and people in general. Everything is smaller; housing, pets, toys, just about anything you can think of is tiny.

Efficiency

Because of their limited space, buildings have basement shops and rise up multiple levels. I visited a few shops that sold just about everything you need. This is common for their stores. As an example, they would sell food items on the first floor, pharmacy items on the second floor, clothing on the third floor, luggage on the fourth floor, cleaning supplies on the fifth floor, etc.

7-Eleven became a favorite spot to grab something quick. I did not understand why other tourists raved about the 7-Elevens until I visited Tokyo. At 7-Eleven, you can purchase really good fresh foods (sandwiches, dinner meals, snacks, and even alcohol). I also used their ATMs, purchased Disney Tokyo tickets, and purchased souvenirs there. Most of the 7-Eleven employees knew enough English to help with just about any requests.

Students at the park. Photo by Rosemary King.

Cleanliness

The city and surrounding areas are extremely clean. It was so different from the United States. The elderly were outside sweeping the streets. I even saw a few police officers sweeping their areas and keeping an eye on the public. The cars and other motor vehicles either used hydrogen or were electric, thus keeping their air clean and pure.

Japan is a very recycle-conscious society. Recyclables are put into specific bins (plastic, glass, metal, and combustibles) and are disposed of daily. It was a little confusing at first, but after watching the locals, I was able to properly dispose of my items. Even the liquid from drinks is separated into a bucket, thus keeping the combustibles dry. Each person carries their own hand towel, thus reducing the paper waste in bathrooms and other locations. Trashcans are a rare sight. Everyone takes his or her trash with them, so I kept a bag for personal trash in my backpack.

Amazing people

Shibuya Crossing. Photo by Rosemary King.

Lastly, the people were amazing. With the help of Google Translate, I was able to talk to our taxi driver and had a wonderful conversation. The Japanese people are a polite society and very shy. When I paid for an item, the money was treated as a “gift” and bows were exchanged. When I purchased souvenirs, the cashiers were more than helpful on counting out the correct payment.

The only thing I found a little sad was that the Japanese people are so polite that they do not talk to each other. On the subways, in restaurants, in the video arcades, and other locations, they just sit quietly by themselves. With their younger population shrinking, this might cause changes in the future.

Overall, I am thankful for the study aboard opportunity at SPC for allowing me to visit my dream country. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to discover myself and live my dream.

– Rosemary King, SPC Student, Japan Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Rosemary!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

Experience theater with study abroad in England – May 2020!

Study Abroad
Apply by December 9, 2019

Join lead faculty Scott Cooper and discover the culturally vibrant city of London–from the bustling streets of Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square to Millennium Bridge and the Tower of London.

Complement your experience with visits to historic sites like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, and trips to Cambridge, and Stratford-upon-Avon. Experience three theater performances and explore Shakespeare’s work in a tour of the Globe Theatre.

Course offered: TPP 2192: Acting Repertory

To view the trip itinerary, costs for students, and to apply, click here.

Photo: The Globe Theatre by Garry Knight, 2013 (cropped). Flickr [CC by 2.0].

Explore the humanities with study abroad in Italy – May 2021!

Italy 2025, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Italy
Apply by February 1, 2021*

Join lead faculty Tim Wolter to learn about the influence of Rome on the development of Western art, architecture, and ideas. Students will encounter Rome’s heroic past, the growth of the empire, the pervasive influence of the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages, and the blending of Christian themes and Classical forms in the period of the Renaissance.

In Rome, students will be able to experience great works of art and architecture first-hand by visiting the Vatican Museum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum. In addition to visiting Rome, we will also tour Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, Venice, Assisi, Pompeii, and the Isle of Capri.

The experience will give students a better understanding of Italy’s central place in the development of Western civilization.

Courses offered:

  • HUM 2210 – Western Humanities: Ancient through Renaissance

To view more details, the trip itinerary, costs for students, and to apply, click here.

Cover photo: Traffic jam in Venice. By Honza Beran, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 3.0].

Leadership skills and lifelong friendships formed at FILC 2019

Events, International Students, International Students Events, News, Student Resources, Study Abroad

Six SPC students attend the Florida International Leadership Conference

The Florida International Leadership Conference (FILC) brings together Florida’s international students and students who have studied abroad for a weekend of networking and leadership activities. In February 2019, 160 students from colleges and universities across the state attended the FILC 2019 at Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid, Florida, and six of those students were from St. Petersburg College.

Students had many opportunities to exchange their culture and experience with each other through team-building and service-learning activities (including a donation drive for homeless children) and social activities like a bonfire, a coffee house, and dances.

Additionally, students had the chance to learn leadership skills and gain more cross-cultural experience, which will benefit them in their future careers . Different leadership styles across cultures were highlighted by passionate speakers on the topic of  “Who you truly are and what you plan for the future.”

Many helpful sessions were offered, with subjects  like “Finding Your True Colors,” “Exploring Leadership Styles and Personality Traits of Successful World Leaders and Figures,” “Researching During Your First Years of College,” “What Would You Do?: Conflict Management in a Cross-Cultural Environment,” “Finding Employment after Graduation: Strategically Searching for a Job as an International Student,” and “Keeping it Real, Establishing yourself as a S.T.A.R!.”

Organizers indicated that their primary objectives for the conference were to help students become more confident and to set meaningful  goals, and these were definitely achieved.

Student Testimonials

Through the experience, students built long-term friendships and memories. Following  are some accounts from the SPC participants at the 2019 Florida International Leadership Conference.

“I am really happy seeing students around the world having an opportunity to stick together and work as a huge professional team. We were not only playing but also learning from each member. The moment when we first saw each other, we were nervous. However, I am pretty sure that all of us had to get over it and left the anxiety behind to be able to speak to a whole group of strange people. I am proud of this action. When it was time to leave, it was hard to form the words “goodbye” and “hope to see each person again at some place around the world in the near future.” We ate, sang, danced, slept, rode on a boat, and had a good time playing basketball together like an enormous family. I have so many pictures, and I will keep this memory forever.”    –Van Le

“The FILC 2019 conference was definitely a memory for life! I met new friends that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise and learned skills that will be useful upon graduation. I learned how to pitch my international experience to employers and thereby improved my interview skills.” –Peter Nilsson

“This is my second time attending Florida International Leadership Conference, and I can say for certain: FILC is one of the most unforgettable experiences for international students in their college adventure. The first time I attended FILC was in 2018 and I had one of the best experiences as a participant. However, during FILC 2019, I was accepted to participate as a Peer Leader, and that was a really challenging but life-changing experience. Attending FILC as a Peer Leader encourages every leader to develop communication, social, and problem-solving skills, while enjoying the experience of being in a camp with hundreds of international students. I can say, after two different experiences in FILC, this conference is a must for every international student attending a college in Florida.” –Cristian Jacome

“I had the awesome opportunity to serve as a Peer Leader at the 2019 Florida International Leadership Conference. FILC 2018 was a life changing experience for me. I chose to serve as a Peer Leader in 2019 because I wanted to enhance the FILC experience for other students. This leadership conference is unique because its main goal is to celebrate and empower student leaders of different ethnicities and cultures. I was able to sharpen my leadership skills as well as network during the various team-building activities and break-out sessions. I met students from all over the globe, and I left the conference more aware of international issues because of their personal stories. That experience taught me to be a more conscientious global citizen. The conversations I had with my peers were enriching and thought-provoking. I was able to learn a lot about myself as a person and as a leader. I left the FILC 2019 a changed person, ready to explore and be more engaged with the world around me.” –Ronelia Bailey

“I had a great time during the FILC Camp. I’ve learned so much from this event and I actually met a bunch of friends from around the world. Also, I’ve learned how to become a better leader as well as how to get involved with the world as a global citizen.” –Rajchakorn Sam

“FILC is an opportunity for all the international students in Florida to meet each other and learn leadership as well. It gave me a chance to learn the culture from all over the world. I am so glad that I had a chance to join this activity and meet all of these friends.” –Derek Chen