Studying abroad teaches students how shared connection bridges the gap between cultures. Slippery Rock University student Michael Leitera, a senior English literature major from New Castle (Shenango HS), as well as 19 others, were able to experience this firsthand when studying abroad in Japan from May 11-21.
“The idea of studying abroad, whether it be for a few weeks or a full semester, was always appealing to me,” said Leitera. “To have such a great opportunity to travel and then having that collide that with our academic careers and classes, it really allowed us students to expand our horizons and see things that we might never have been able to.”
Led by Yukako Ishimaru and Nicholas Katsiadas, faculty members in the Languages, Literatures, Cultures, and Writing Department, SRU students had the opportunity to participate in the faculty-led study abroad program in Japan. Since 2016, this program has emphasized the importance of international education, enduring relationships and creating a sense of community that can exist anywhere in the world.
SRU’s study abroad program in Japan continues to build upon a partnership established with Saga University. This partnership has developed greatly since 2012, as students from SU have also had the opportunity to travel to the United States and take classes at SRU.
“What makes the SRU-Saga partnership unique is the many layers of exchange that extend far beyond a single visit abroad,” Ishimaru said. “Relationships begin long before students arrive in Japan, deepen through shared experiences during the program and continue long after participants return home.”
The impact of these connections was apparent through the trip to Japan, as SRU students were often visited and welcomed by students from SU who previously studied in the United States, like Ryusei Fukushima and Minamo Kajiwara, who were students at SRU during the 2022-23 academic year.
To further highlight the reciprocal nature of the partnership, 52 current SU students volunteered as conversation partners for the 20 SRU students visiting in May, sparking meaningful intercultural discussions and lifelong friendships.
In addition to building bonds on campus, SRU students experienced daily Japanese life firsthand through homestays. Leitera spent two days living alongside a local family, giving him a deeper appreciation for the country’s culture.
“That was like another level of actually getting to follow the day-to-day life to some extent,” Leitera said. “The family I stayed with had two younger kids, and we would spend the day hanging out, watching television and such.”
Leitera noted that his most profound takeaway from the homestay was realizing how similar people are, despite cultural differences.
“It was really interesting getting to speak with the parents and have in-depth discussions about my experiences as a student in America versus what they had experienced in Japan,” said Leitera. “It was great spending some time with them and seeing how they live their lives, because in America, we do things differently, but at the end of the day we are still doing the same thing. It’s just like a different expression of the same idea.”
Beyond the homestay, the group also visited Nagasaki, the city in Japan that the U.S. struck with an atomic bomb during World War II.
For the SRU students, this became one of the most meaningful and solemn moments of the trip. Saga University students led the day’s itinerary, working alongside their American peers to explore themes of peace, remembrance and global citizenship.
“Nagasaki was the most impactful experience for me,” Leitera said. “We were able to experience a totally new perspective on something that we may have already developed some sort of belief system around. But to have that perspective be offered, and to immerse yourself in it fully, it really makes you think about the humanity that underscores any situation like Nagasaki. We should be able to explore and share cultures. We should focus on the things that can connect us and help us find similarities among us.”
The study-abroad program also inspired English majors like Leitera, who found Japan to be the perfect backdrop for his creative writing, broadening the potential for his future professional career plans.
“A lot of my passions and dreams lie within the creative field and other artistic pursuits, and I think that Japan has a strong culture built around storytelling,” Leitera said. “Getting to explore their world of art, entertainment and media was incredibly fascinating, as well as inspirational.”
Navigating a foreign country was made seamless by Ishimaru and Katsiadas, both experienced international travelers.
“Sensei Ishimaru and Dr. Katsiadas were both phenomenal leaders, representatives, and friends,” said Leitera. “Sensei was very helpful in translating and leading us through things, and Dr. Katsiadas is a professor who adds a level of comfort when needed. They both helped greatly with the transition into a foreign country.”
Leitera was one of more than 160 SRU students to travel abroad this year as part of the University’s study abroad programs. They include eight short-terms programs led by faculty members and administrators, like the one Leitera benefitted from, but there’s also month-long or semester-long programs where students earn academic credit at partner institutions that are applied to their SRU degree. Additionally, more than 20 education majors completed their student-teaching requirements in Spain. All told, SRU students learned in 30 different countries last year.
“Students can study abroad from any major, for any length of time, in any place in the world — it is self-designed,” said Jenny Kawata, SRU’s director of global exchanges and partnerships. “Many of our students who travel abroad say that it is the most impactful experience that they’ve had during their time in college. It makes a big difference for attracting and retaining students, and, most importantly, setting them up to succeed.”
More information about study abroad programs at SRU is available on the University’s website or by calling 724.738.2057.
