If you’re thinking about coming to KGU to study, statistics suggest that you’re also a super nerd (it’s okay, we all are too). If you frequently delve into nerdy endeavors, you will be delighted to hear that there are lots of video game and hobby stores within walking distance from KGU! One of my favorite stores to go to is called Book-Off, which is a second-hand store specializing in just…
My first few weeks at Kansai Gaidai flew by! Immediately after I arrived, I met up with some other CofC students, some students from other universities, and Japanese students, and went on a day trip to Osaka. We went to Osaka Castle, a maid cafe that received extremely high praise from one of my friends, and ate a bunch of good food. I was surprised that I was already making…
こんにちは！My name is Jackson Bass. Right now I am a sophomore at CofC, and I’m majoring in International Studies with an Asian concentration. The program I have chosen is the Asian Studies Program at Kansai Gaidai University, located in Osaka, Japan. I have a strong desire to work in Japan after graduation, so naturally the ASP at Kansai Gaidai was a good pick for me! While I am here in…
This past weekend our university hosted a sports festival called Yui Cup, which was a competition between all the floors in the Yui international dorm. Sports days at schools in Japan are a very common competition to raise morale and bring the school closer together. Kansai Gaidai’s sports day consisted of dodgeball, scavenger hunt, ball toss, and a relay race. I had a lot of fun competing with my dorm…
In Spain, I’ve struggled to articulate a cultural difference that distinguishes the nature of animated conversations here from those in the United States—it’s not only about the volume; it’s about the inclusivity of these interactions. Unlike the U.S., where relationships are often restricted or limited by extremely exhausting standards, Spain holds a more communal attitude, more like, “If you’re a Spaniard or here, you’re like family.” This cultural spirit extends…
My academic experience here in Spain differs in regards to my usual experience on campus in Charleston. To start, my classes take place in a charming and mystical converted convent in the heart of the medieval city of Trujillo, Spain. With a wrought-iron gate to enter, expansive arch walkways, and windows with breathtaking views, you can already see how it differs from the halls of the Maybank building. You can…
What advice do I have for future study abroad students? Be in the moment and try your absolute best to stay there. One thing I learned quickly from my study abroad experience is the fact that nothing lasts forever. I currently have less than a month left here in Spain, and I can’t grasp the fact that it wasn’t yesterday that my plane touched down in Madrid. The weather has…
The art of slowing down, it’s something the Spanish have mastered. I was shocked to find out that the concept of “siesta” was truth here in Spain. I thought to myself, “How could you just stop your day after lunch and rest? Don’t you have work?” Well, to my surprise, yes, yes, you can just stop your day. I soon found out that every day like clockwork, after a large lunch…
I have been back in the States for three days now, and it feels so strange. I already miss everything about Trujillo; my friends, my host family, the food, the town itself, and just the feeling that goes along with living in Spain. It has definitely been one of the best experiences of my life so far. I got to meet new people and learn about their culture, try amazing…
One of my absolute favorite things about my study abroad experience so far has been the food! I had heard about how great the food in Spain was, and was always so excited to try it. I am a pescetarian, meaning I don’t eat any types of meat except for fish, so I was nervous about how that would affect what my host family makes for me. However after the…
