A Summer in Tokyo

Last month, M. Garland ’28 and E. Svedlund ’28 spent time at Tokyo Jogakkan School (TJK) for a summer study abroad experience where they attended classes, made new friends and explored an area of the world unfamiliar to them. The three-week opportunity is part of an ongoing partnership and exchange program with TJK supported by former Dana Hall faculty member and current TJK International Studies teacher Crystal Brunelli.

Once they were back, the students shared their experience with us in their own words:

Why did you apply for the TJK exchange?
ES: Last year, East Asian Studies was one of my favorite classes. When the opportunity came up to go to Japan and live in the country we had been studying, I knew I needed to take advantage of it. It deepened my understanding by combining what I had learned in the classroom through first-hand lived experience staying with a host family and attending school in an entirely different culture.

MG: After having spent two years at Dana Hall, I’ve become interested in education and how it looks in different forms. I also took East Asian Studies this past year, and I became curious about the cultural differences and similarities between the U.S. and countries like Japan. The opportunity to learn at a school in Tokyo and travel the city was exciting enough for me to sign up right away.

What did you like about attending school there?
ES: Attending school in Japan granted me the opportunity to learn so many different perspectives from people my age. I noticed a ton of little differences in the classroom, from the formal way students interacted with teachers to the lecture-based curriculum. In addition, the school gave me an opportunity to experience the ordinary life of a Japanese student with the same schedule as the rest of my peers. At the same time, they set up special opportunities to learn more about Japanese culture, like having calligraphy classes, spending time with older students and trying on a Yukata, a traditional kimono worn during the summer.

MG: In the mornings, some students commute together and then everyone hangs out in their classrooms until class start. Attending school was especially fun for me because I got to visit the middle schoolers who were just starting to learn English. There were also classes that we don’t have at Dana Hall, like calligraphy and home economics where we cooked meals together.

What was your favorite non-school memory?
ES: The highlight of my exchange program was visiting my host family’s relatives who lived in a small beach town called Hayama. We lit fireworks, visited a shrine and ate local foods like Korokke. I spent time with my host family’s great aunt and uncle. This turned into one of the most meaningful experiences, as we had a multi-generational discussion about our respective cultures, broadening my perspective.

MG: My host family took me into the city for an entire day. We spent time shopping in Japanese stores, eating traditional and viral foods, visiting landmarks and must-sees, and walking many miles. Being able to feel like an average teenager spending my weekend in Shibuya was tons of fun! My host family made sure I had a great time and we even saw a movie together.

Why would you encourage other students to study abroad?
ES: Studying abroad in high school is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Dana Hall students shouldn’t take for granted. It might be scary to travel far away from your family and your home, but it is so worth it. Throughout my trip, I stepped out of my comfort zone countless times. In the beginning, it was hard. But then later, I’m eating meals with great-uncles, speaking to the principal, talking with students from multiple grades, navigating train systems, participating in school events, and having conversations across generations, transcending the language barrier. Embracing these challenges have helped me grow so much. Those three weeks were some of the most meaningful and memorable weeks I ever had.

MG: Be brave and take the risk because it is so worth it. I loved every second of the experience and would do it again in a heartbeat. Living in Tokyo for three weeks was definitely a new experience and was pretty different; however, I got to learn about the culture and make new friends. I now have connections to Japan and long-lasting memories. If someone is considering studying abroad, they shouldn’t be deterred by the long flight or far destination, but consider the students and teachers you’ll meet, the friends and memories you’ll make, and the foods and clothes you’ll try. Being able to experience a culture like this was such a privilege and I recommend it to everyone.