Dear Huskers,
Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, I often wondered what life was like in other countries. For most of my life, I thought I'd never have the chance to see the world. However, once I started at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I discovered the many opportunities available to explore beyond my hometown. One day, while walking to class, I spotted a flier that would change everything—it was an opportunity to study abroad. During the summer of 2024, I traveled to Japan from May 20 to June 3, as part of a program led by Dr. Shinya Takahashi, Professor Linda Young, and Dijon DeLaPorte. Along with 18 other UNL students, we visited Osaka and Tokyo, participating in a range of activities related to nutrition, exercise, and health sciences. We experienced Japanese cuisine, took martial arts lessons, practiced Zen meditation, visited Kobe University in the beautiful mountains, and saw the entire city of Tokyo from the Sky Tree. The program was incredible, and to anyone considering going abroad—take the chance!
Our days typically began around 7:00–8:00 a.m., with breakfast at either our hotel or a nearby convenience store. Let me tell you, convenience stores in Japan are amazing! The variety of options, affordability, and availability make them a true lifesaver. My personal favorites were the salmon onigiri, tamago sandwich, and famichiki from 7-Eleven. Getting around Japan was a breeze as well, thanks to their public transportation. You can reach almost anywhere just by walking to the nearest station. On our first day, we toured the Hanshin Koshien Stadium and its facilities used by the Hanshin Tigers. Afterward, we visited the stunning Kobe University campus with the help of Dr. Shirai, in the mountains. One of my fondest memories was riding the bus up to the campus, surrounded by nature at every turn. We also had the chance to interact with students there, which was a highlight of the trip. The following day, we toured a sake brewery and tasted the famous Kobe beef—it was absolutely delicious. We later traveled to Tambasasayama, a rural area in Osaka. I’ll never forget a moment when a small group of us, looking for food, met a kind woman who welcomed us into her restaurant. Despite the language barrier, she took all our orders and served us by herself. Her kindness left a lasting impression, and I hope to visit her again one day. My favorite part of the trip was our visit to Nara. The town is filled with friendly deer that bow to you in exchange for treats. It was such a unique experience, made even more special by sharing it with the Kobe University students. We also visited Todai-ji Temple, surrounded by stunning architecture and statues—it felt surreal. That was also our last day with the Kobe students, and though saying goodbye was difficult, I still keep in touch with many of them and hope to reunite someday.
After our time in Osaka, we spent our second week in Tokyo. The first thing we did was board the shinkansen (bullet train), which travels at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. The ride was incredibly smooth, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji on the way. Stepping into Tokyo Station was overwhelming—there were people everywhere, and it was easy to get lost in the crowd. But after leaving the station, one of our first activities in Tokyo was a cooking class at Better Home Cooking School, where we made sushi, miso soup, and dessert. We also visited the Sky Tree, where we took in breathtaking views of the city. Another highlight was a judo lesson and a visit to Dr. Takahashi’s junior high school in Ageo. The moment we stepped into the school, students excitedly approached us for autographs. Their energy was contagious, and we even had the chance to sit in on a few classes. We later visited Dr. Takahashi’s high school, where I got the chance to meet and get to know a lot of the students. I was also impressed by all the students’ excellent English skills and the amount of work they put into school every day. On our final day, we participated in Zen meditation at a temple and planted rice which was an amazing and peaceful way to end the trip. This program was truly an unforgettable experience, offering countless ways to immerse ourselves in Japanese culture. Although our days were packed with activities, we also had time to explore on our own, which added to the whole experience. I loved leaving my hotel and just getting lost in the city. Experiencing the buildings, people, and culture around me.
My time in Japan was truly one of the best experiences of my life, and I am truly grateful for all of our faculty leaders, Kobe University, Ageo-Higashi Junior High School, Ageo High School, and everyone else who gave us these amazing opportunities. However, I was not prepared for the flight back home. It was bittersweet watching Japan fade into the distance from my airplane window. Even now, not a day goes by that I don’t think about Japan or scroll through the countless photos on my camera roll. I hope to come back soon! Taking the leap and going to Japan was the best decision I’ve ever made and if you're considering studying abroad, I can't recommend it enough, go for it! If you have any questions about studying abroad, feel free to email me at mjabbar2@unl.edu.
