Hi everyone!

My name is Siobhan Black and my Beyond the Classroom experience was a semester-long study abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. Although I have been lucky enough to travel to many different places in the past, living in Tokyo was truly one of the most incredible and unique experiences I have ever had. As a double major in Linguistics and East Asian studies with a minor in Chinese and my Global Theme being Culture and Politics, this experience provided me with the most amazing opportunities to explore my interests. Through courses like Buddhism in Japan and A Critical Understanding of Korean Society Through the Lens of Sexuality, I was able to expand my understanding and knowledge of Japan and other regions in East Asia. Tokyo itself is undoubtedly one of the most fantastic and unique cities that I have ever visited! It truly felt has if there was no end to the delicious food – including innumerable affordably priced Michelin-starred restaurants, endless temples and shrines to explore, and numerous fantastic events and celebrations to enjoy.

Beyond my time spent studying in Tokyo, I made sure to visit as many other places as I could (and could afford). From the most beautiful wisteria trees I have ever seen in Tochigi prefecture, the incredible temples and history of Kyoto and Nara, the funky and eccentric feel of Osaka, a temple stay at Koyasan in Wakayama prefecture, and the majestic beauty of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefecture, I experienced and saw some of the most fantastic and awe inspiring adventures and sights of my life.

My Trip to Himeji castle had to be the most beautiful poorly planned experience that I ever had the grace of planning and participating in.

The Castle itself was something straight out of a fairytale. It was a marvel of Japanese engineering and completely blew me away with how large it was. None of these pictures will do justice to the size of this thing.

I payed a pretty penny (yen) to go all over and into the castle. I got to learn the history of the castle as a defensive position of a famous family. It was an indomitable fortress that was almost impossible to advance through. The castle was used for only two things. The storage of gold and the storage of weapons. Every wall was a weapon rack, and every other wall was a place to shoot out of.

The castle took my breath away with the detail in every single corner. It was a testament to the passion Japan has towards its history. Every structure is maintained using modern technology, while also preserving the beauty of the ancient structures. Which is even more impressive once you’ve experienced on of their tropical storms…

I failed to check the weather for my day in Himeji and a tropical storm following a hurricane was arriving on the same day. I saw this halfway up the castle. At the very top, I was getting battered with wind and rain in the heaviest rain I had ever experienced. With no umbrella and lots of castles left to explore I decided to walk through the halls as they fought the elements. Amazingly, nothing collapsed.

Learned a valuable lesson about weather apps, but I would definitely do it again if given the opportunity.