I had the most extraordinary time in Japan. From the food, people, architecture, nature, and culture of Japan I feel as though I immersed myself in a way that I almost did not want to come home! Visiting Japan was the number one thing on my bucket list, and I am so happy I got the chance to do it through SPC.

St. Petersburg College gave me a such a wonderful experience and I loved every part of our toured trip. My favorite part had to be in Kyoto when we visited Fushimi Taisha Sembon Torii, home to a thousand torii gates. This Shinto shrine was not only visually beautiful, but I loved how sacred this place is to Japanese people. Many come to pray and ask for their wishes to be granted by the spirits, my friend and I bought a charm in which we could write in kanji our wishes and the kitsune of the mountain shall grant it.

Some big differences between United States and Japan are the fact that it is so clean in Japan. There is little to no trash anywhere and the bathrooms were super tidy even public ones. Everyone is also extremely kind and understanding which made the language barrier so much easier.

All I can say with certainty is that I will be back. SPC made this trip not a dream anymore but a checkmark off my bucket list. I am proud to say that I am part of the SPC Study Abroad Japan 2024 group. – Savannah, SPC Japan Study Abroad Program, May 2024