This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad at J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo through CIS Abroad. It was a life-changing experience that combined academics, cultural immersion, and personal growth in ways that I’ll never forget.
During my program, I enrolled in two courses: Japanese Anime and Popular Culture and Japanese Culture in the Modern Era. While both courses offered unique perspectives on Japan, my favorite was definitely the anime course, which was engaging, interactive, and filled with fun field trips that made every week exciting.
This course immediately stood out as the highlight of my summer abroad. Anime is not only a massive part of Japan’s entertainment industry—it is also a window into Japanese culture, history, and values. In class, we explored how anime reflects themes like family, tradition, and identity, and how it addresses social issues such as gender roles or the pressures of modern life.
For me, this course was fun, exciting, and intellectually stimulating all at once. It blended my personal interest in anime with deeper cultural analysis, and I found myself looking forward to every class session. It was easily my favorite course because of how interactive and engaging it was, and it gave me insights I know I’ll carry with me for a long time.
The second course I took, Japanese Culture in the Modern Era, provided a broader look at Japan’s social and cultural transformations over the past century. It examined how Japan has balanced tradition with modernization, especially in the aftermath of events like World War II and during the rapid economic growth of the late 20th century. I learned how traditional values—like respect for hierarchy, group harmony, and community—still shape Japanese society, even in today’s fast-paced, highly modernized world. We looked at how Western influences have been adapted into Japanese life, and how Japan has managed to preserve its cultural identity while also becoming a global leader in technology and innovation.
The anime course gave me a glimpse into Japan’s most popular cultural export, while the modern culture course provided the historical and social context behind it. Both classes reinforced each other, and I felt like I walked away with not only academic knowledge but also cultural awareness that shaped the way I experienced Tokyo. Most importantly, studying abroad at J.F. Oberlin allowed me to fully immerse myself in the environment I was learning about.
Every day outside the classroom became an extension of my education. Whether I was exploring new neighborhoods, trying local food, or practicing Japanese with classmates, I was constantly learning. Looking back, my summer in Tokyo was about so much more than coursework—it was about connecting with the culture on multiple levels. The academic side challenged me to think critically about topics I was passionate about, while the immersive experiences made those lessons unforgettable.
My favorite course, Japanese Anime and Popular Culture, will always stand out for the excitement and creativity it brought into learning, but both classes gave me insights I could never have gained without being in Japan.
Studying abroad gave me the chance to not only see Japan but to understand it in a deeper, more meaningful way. For anyone considering a similar program, I can honestly say that the combination of great courses, cultural immersion, and personal discovery makes it one of the most rewarding experiences you could have.
Learn more about studying abroad in Japan here!
Blog by Ben Shereff, University of South Florida
Summer in Tokyo - J.F. Oberlin University