Studying in Tokyo, Japan

Hello! My name is Delia, and I’m a senior studying Environmental Science and Sustainability and Political Science. I had the incredible opportunity to study and live in Tokyo, Japan this past year for my Beyond the Classroom Experience. While there, I focused on my global theme of Culture and Politics, and explored my global challenge of pursuing international collaboration on climate policy.

Living in the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo was a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience. Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, I had considered myself accustomed to navigating a somewhat large city, but nothing can compare to Tokyo’s sheer vastness, nor the bustling crowds that surrounded me daily. It seemed like every week I discovered a new corner of the city, a new local shop or cafe near campus, or a new path to a familiar destination. While overwhelming at first, the city provided endless ways to immerse myself with Japanese history, tradition, and culture. Outside Tokyo, I was also able to visit several other large cities and smaller, rural towns, offering a glimpse into the slower side of life in Japan.

*Reclining Buddha at Nanzoin Temple- Fukuoka Prefecture*

Culture and history were everywhere I went. On my ten minute walk to campus each morning, I passed both a temple and a shrine, including a massive torii gate opening onto a major intersection. Elsewhere in the city, small shrines and temples intertwined with large, modern businesses and homes. I was able to visit and tour historical sites only a short train ride away, including the Imperial Palace, built on the site of an Edo-era castle where the Tokugawa shogunate once ruled, and Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Through Japanese language classes, I learned about Japanese society and habits, and built communication skills that were essential for navigating and connecting with my community.

Tokyo Tower– Minato, Tokyo

Studying at Waseda’s School of International Liberal Studies also allowed me to engage with other cultures. Many of my classmates were long-term and exchange international students, and discussions and group projects with students from various countries and backgrounds offered new perspectives on a range of issues. Classes such as Global Environmental Systems, Public Management and Local Government, and the Politics and International Relations of the EU helped me explore global challenges and potential solutions. The topic of international cooperation on climate change came up in multiple courses, and in my Public Management class I was able to put together a wildfire policy proposal project with students from three different countries. These discussions helped me deepen my understanding of my global theme and explore ideas to address my global challenge.

My time in Tokyo was invaluable to my academic, personal, and professional growth. Collaborating with students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines exposed me to diverse perspectives and experiences that have helped to shape my own understanding of global challenges such as sustainability and climate change. Being exposed to both a different educational system and a different way of life has tested my adaptability to new and uncomfortable situations and expanded my global and cultural awareness. I’m so grateful for all that I learned and experienced this past year. またね、日本！