Kayla Villegas, class of 2016 from Wooster, Ohio, had a longer ride home than most students this winter break. After wrapping up her final exams, Villegas returned from a semester of study abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Japan.
"Konnichiwa to my friends, family members and random strangers back home! For those of you who I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Kayla. I’m a marketing and communication double major with a journalism minor at Wittenberg University.
"My study-abroad journey began one fateful afternoon when a friend told me about his experience in Germany with the Wittenberg in Wittenberg study-abroad program. He told me about how much he had grown as an individual while abroad and that the experiences shaped his goals in life, giving him a new sense of direction. I was amazed by how powerful an experience Germany had been for him. And I wanted that for myself. I loved Wittenberg with the people and the college experience in general, but I had lived in the Ohio my entire life! I wanted a change of pace and as I considered studying abroad, I booked a meeting with Director International Education JoAnn Bennett.
"She asked, “Where do you want to go?” and now, here I am writing to you 7,000 miles away.
"Not many students know that Kansai Gaidai is a direct exchange program with Wittenberg—it’s a great opportunity that more students should take advantage of. And if you’re a business major, you will learn immensely from studying at any East Asian university. With such powerful relationships between the U.S. and countries like Japan, immersing yourself in the culture will give you invaluable experience working with others cross-culturally. I can’t stress that enough. This experience has helped me shape career goals and solidify my decision to enter the business world post-grad.
"Although I can thank Tropical Storm Vongfong for my first Typhoon Day off school, the academics here have been more extreme than the weather. Originally, I went in with this ‘Iive free, die young’ mentality for school, expecting the course load to be pretty basic (since I’m here to travel and make memories) but my sensees have really brought the heat since day one. In Japan, there is no syllabus week. In the first two months, I had already learned Hiragana, Katakana, and some basic Kanji. My midterms featured four separate exams just for my Japanese class, plus the papers, presentations, and exams in my other four courses. Asian academics are not here to play.
"Despite the hard work, I wouldn’t trade anything for the moments I’ve had here. I’ve hiked through the countryside of Asuka, stared out upon miles of rice fields painted with breathtaking mountain views, and met Buddhist monks who have dedicated their lives to the maintenance of beautiful centuries-old temples. Surprise! I even joined the Kansai Gaidai Lacrosse Team, and I’m awe-struck by my teammates who are paving the way for the culture of women in sports here. It’s hard to believe these are adventures I’m having and not watching in Eat Pray Love. I’ve never felt more lucky.
"Japan is like that very, very pretty person that’s even more attractive because they don’t know how good-looking they really are. It’s unassuming. It’s honest. And its people are among some of the most humble I’ve ever known.
"Traditionally, the Japanese place high regard in maintaining wa, a term used to describe the value of group harmony. It means putting others before oneself.
"The kind acts that I have experienced here have been truly remarkable. Like the guy who speedily threw gauze, bandages, and sterilizer into my bike basket after I crashed into some shrubbery and pedaled away before I had the chance to say Arigatou Gozaimasu (thank you). Or the many passersby who have helped navigate me through cities after getting lost time and time again. Little things like going to the grocery store are extremely difficult when you live in a world with three different alphabets.
"When I got on the plane bound for Osaka I had no idea what to expect. But I had been ready for the journey all along, and I couldn’t have done it without the life lessons I had already cultivated at my favorite little school in Springfield, Ohio.
"Wittenberg taught me the power of keeping an open mind. Kansai Gaidai prides itself on not only giving students the Japanese experience but an international one as I lived amid others from over 50 different countries. I’ve been exposed to new sets of values, completely diverse lifestyles, and stories from people my own age who have had life experiences far different than my own.
"Wittenberg also helped me embrace a spirit of adventure. Since day one, I felt encouraged to try new things like going through sorority recruitment or running for Student Senate. Anything I wanted to do, Wittenberg wanted to see it happen in a positive way. So I suppose that attitude gave me the courage to apply from the start. The faculty genuinely believe in their students, and they give me the hope that whatever I want to do in life, I can do—with excellence. Sometimes all we need is a little encouragement to believe in ourselves, and then greatness can be achieved.
"Navigating your way through a big city that’s not English-friendly is invigorating. Partially figuring out a culture is empowering. Flying to the other side of the world completely alone and finding what adventures await—that’s life changing.
"So if you are currently enrolled at Wittenberg and reading this with a little voice in your head saying, ‘Hey, I want an adventure, too,’ listen to that voice. Make an appointment with Director Bennett, and explore the world. It will be one of the greatest decisions you can make—I guarantee it.
"And if you’re not a student at Wittenberg, what are you waiting for?! Go fill out an application or let me give you a tour of the school when I get back this spring. That, my friend, will be the BEST decision you can make."
Written by: Kayla Villegas '16
