By: Em Acuña
Olivia Priest spent her Spring 2024 semester, from January through May, abroad studying at Kansai Gaidai University – Asian Studies Program in Hirakata, Japan. Her study abroad was partially funded by the Honors College International Education Scholarship. Priest entered Appalachian State University and the Honors College in the Fall 2022 and plans to graduate in May 2026. She is majoring in East Asian languages, literature, and culture, with a concentration in Japanese. She is also pursuing minors in communications and English. Priest is also pursuing departmental honors in the Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures.
About her motivation for study abroad, Priest stated, “My major is Japanese, so not only is this part of the program but experiencing Japanese culture firsthand was really important to me.”
While planning her trip abroad, her honors advisor, Dr. Heather Waldroup, referred her to the honors college international education scholarship. When asked about the impact it had, Priest stated, “In all honesty, it was a wonderful help and honor to receive.” For Priest, who was already set on going abroad, the scholarship not only provided help with her international education requirement for the Honors College, but it also supported her academic program of study and will help her reach her long-term goals.
Photo (left) features a Koto. Photo (right) features a view of Hirakata
While abroad, Priest took four courses in Japanese language and culture, including language level five, Kanji (system of Japanese writing using Chinese characters) level four, Koto (traditional Japanese harp), and Shinto (Japanese national religion). On her academic experience in Japan, Priest reflected,
All of my classes besides Shinto were conducted entirely in Japanese. Even my Japanese courses at App State often employ English, so it was my first time being in a classroom environment where we were chastised for using English. It really improved my confidence in Japanese, spending a school day only interacting in that language. However, I will note that the Kansai Gaidai Asian Studies Program is also open to those who know zero Japanese— you would just take a beginner’s course!
Priest explained that her experience thus far in the Honors College has taught her discipline, which helped her better adjust to these demanding classes on top of the new experience of living abroad alone. Studying abroad offers a chance to experience a new culture. Priest discussed how her experience in Japan countered some of the stereotypes she had been exposed to previously. She stated, “Japan’s culture is truly something special, and not always what one would expect. Japan has a bit of a stereotype surrounding it that everyone is meek and polite, but it was refreshing to see just how outgoing and welcoming the people there are. I experienced more forwardness and kindness than I tend to from strangers in the States.” Priest was also able to use this experience to explore some of her future goals, including her plan to apply to the JET program this upcoming fall. About how the program prepared her for her future, Priest stated,
Just getting to experience what it’s like to live in Japan was very valuable for preparing me to experience that more long-term. There are many cultural differences that often affect daily communication, and I was glad to be able to see what they are like. I also think that living as an outsider and having to adapt to another culture is invaluable when it comes to personal development and having a broader understanding of the world.
Photo (left) features Priest taking a picture with a friend. Photo (right) features a building corner in Osaka
Being able to go abroad was very impactful for Priest. Priest had some worries before going abroad, about whether she would enjoy it as much as she hoped, and if she didn’t enjoy it what that might mean for her future plans. In the end, “It ended up being wonderful. I found myself really enjoying my time there and being sad about leaving. Had I never tried studying abroad, I wouldn’t have gotten to discover that it was right for me,” she explained. For Priest, her anxieties while planning washed away once she was there and the experience motivated her to stay on her current path.
One of Priest’s biggest takeaways from this experience was learning to say yes to experiences without hesitation. She now believes that everyone should be encouraged to study abroad to gain a similar eye-opening experience by exposing themselves to a new culture. She shared,
Being abroad will inevitably make you feel embarrassed at some point; I myself experienced a lot of anxiety over my language abilities and how I was perceived. But all of that should be cast aside. My best memories involve times I decided to just do something scary, something that was intimidating, and those were always the best adventures.
The Honors College requires students to broaden their perspectives through a holistic international education experience. Through that requirement, students cultivate cultural competence and come to respect, understand, and value backgrounds and worldviews different from their own. There are plenty of ways to meet these goals. Priest encourages Honors College students to “pick whichever program speaks to you the most” just as she did with Japan. Our Honors College Mentors are a great resource to help students explore their options.
In summary, Priest offered one final reflection on the importance of studying abroad: “The world is so large and complex, and studying abroad will teach you an immense amount more than a simple vacation can.”
Top photo features Honors College student Olivia Priest. Photo submitted.
