{"id":24134,"date":"2026-08-31T15:45:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/international\/?p=24134"},"modified":"2026-08-31T15:45:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:45:18","slug":"from-spc-to-kagawa-university-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/international\/from-spc-to-kagawa-university-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"From SPC to Kagawa University, Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I spent the last five months studying abroad at our sister school, Kagawa University, in Japan, through the Sanuki Program. My time in Japan was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and I am incredibly grateful for all the help and support that SPC\u2019s International Office provided throughout my journey. The Sanuki Program is centered around cultural exchange while also exploring local and regional issues in Japan. Through the program, I was able to make friends from all around the world while gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and society\u2014an experience that many people may never have the opportunity to access. I learned about challenges facing Japan at both the national and local levels, including Japan\u2019s implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I even had the opportunity to participate in a local program working toward these goals, which helped me see how global initiatives can have an impact at the community level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the classroom, I was able to experience Japanese culture in ways that made my time there especially meaningful. Through a home visit program, I spent a day with a Japanese family and had the opportunity to participate in a traditional Sado (tea) ceremony with them. I also took part in numerous field trips and cultural experiences, including visiting a lacquerware museum and a national garden, visiting a local elementary school, and completing part of the Shikoku pilgrimage by visiting the 86th shrine. Cultural exchange was also an important part of my experience, as I frequently gave presentations about American and Japanese culture in both Japanese and English. These experiences challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone, communicate across cultural and language barriers, and appreciate perspectives different from my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the things I appreciated most about the Sanuki Program was that you did not need to be fluent in Japanese to participate and feel included. Japanese language classes were organized according to each student\u2019s level, allowing everyone to learn and improve at their own pace. Looking back on my five months at Kagawa University, I am grateful not only for the places I was able to visit, but especially for the people I met and the connections I made. Studying abroad gave me a much deeper appreciation for Japanese culture while also helping me better understand my own culture and how I represent it to others. It was an experience that I will carry with me long after returning home, and one that has encouraged me to continue seeking opportunities to learn from and connect with people from different backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0Haille, SPC Student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sanuki Program at Kagawa University<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1873,"featured_media":24136,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[940,950,961,40,61,57,24],"tags":[],"coauthors":[894],"class_list":["post-24134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japan-2024","category-japan2025","category-spc-japan-2026","category-news","category-success-stories","category-tips-opportunities","category-travel"],"yoast_head":"\r\nFrom SPC to Kagawa University, Japan - Center for International Programs<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/international\/from-spc-to-kagawa-university-japan\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From SPC to Kagawa University, Japan - 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