Learning Japanese Buddhism Through Experience: an intense and life-changing trip! Past Review
By Susannah D (Religious studies, The University of Texas at Austin) for
Japan Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
My study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. It was an amazing, beautiful experience, and full of little adventures. I also made life-long friends and was surrounded by people with my interests and passions. Also through meditation I learned to see the world differently and find the satisfaction in each and every moment. It is an experience I would never take back, and I would jump at the opportunity to do it all again!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The written homework and readings were very light, but this allowed for the other side of the program -- hands-on experience with everyday religious practice-- to be given my full attention, and through these experiences I learned more than books can teach. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators of the program did an excellent job giving us the richest experience possible on low funds, and through their connections and hard work we were able to experience aspects of Japanese life and culture that poor college students usually cannot afford. They were also emotionally supportive and made us feel like a family that could trust and rely on each other. It was a wonderful experience. The only downside was the lack of integration with locals due to our poor language capabilities. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived for the most part in a temple, although in a house separate from the rest of the immigrants and priests. While it did not help with language acquisition it was a nice set-up and we were able to spend time together and study in our communal spaces. |
| * Food: |
The food was excellent, often above and beyond the usual college fare, and there was a vegetarian option that was also healthy and delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My favorite experience was when we stayed in a family-owned ryokan (a Japanese inn) and chanted under a waterfall as part of our experience of lay people's mountain pilgrimage. It was an unbelievable experience and we balanced the asceticism with a luxurious hot bath afterwards! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe in Japan; safer than when I am at home. I usually carry mace when I walk alone at night but in Kyoto, with a police box at nearly every corner, that felt unnecessary. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No, there were no unnecessary expenditures. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | first semester |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The language program was very unpractical and I did not learn much that I could actually use to get along in the country. If I had not taken Japanese previously I would have found it nearly impossible to travel around Japan alone during my research period. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The ideal student for this program is someone who is ready to commit themselves to learning about Buddhist practice 24/7. While you will get more than enough time off to explore Japan and relax with your friends, there will be times when the experience is very intense, very early in the morning (and sometimes, very cold). If you can devote yourself 100% when you need to and you want a life-changing, beautiful experience of Buddhism and Japanese culture, this is the program for you! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Practice and Theory of Buddhism in Japan |
| Course Department: | ARELS352 |
| Instructor: | Various |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course involved historical readings of each Japanese Buddhist tradition that we covered, as well as hands-on experiences of the religions' actual practice. Each segment was taught by an expert (and practitioner) in its field. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Field Research: Selected Topics |
| Course Department: | ABUDJ 396 |
| Instructor: | Prof. Brian Victoria |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | For this course I was able to focus on my main interest, the comparison of Buddhist and Christian experience, by traveling to an institute in Japan that specializes in Buddhist and Christian dialogue. I was able to meet professors who were experts in this field and able to use all the resources at the institution. It was an extremely rewarding experience and a fantastic opportunity to do in-depth research. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
