As this is my first post on the Pitt Honors Blog, I’ll start off by introducing myself. My name is Ella Homa, and I am currently a second-year student majoring in Ecology and Evolution and minoring in Japanese language. I am also currently enrolled in an exchange program with Ritsumeikan University, and as such am living in Kyoto while I continue my Japanese studies here.
About two months ago, I touched down at the Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. Full of nerves and exhausted from 25 hours of traveling, my brain was practically fried. The next day, I moved into what would be my new home for the next 6 months: Ritsumeikan University’s International House Taishogun. Since then, I’ve been lodging with fellow exchange students from all around the world. The community in this dorm was incredibly welcoming, and I’m happy to say that I’ve made some amazing friends here. For three weeks, I wandered through the city of Kyoto with them, taking advantage of the time we had before Ritsumeikan’s spring semester would begin. Through city walks, temple visits, mountainous hikes, and everything in between, I’ve been able to immerse myself in Japanese culture and daily life, heightening my understanding to levels it’s never been before.
As of today, we are approaching the halfway point of our spring semester here. Alongside the fun excursions, I’ve been diligently keeping up with coursework and taking advantage of the educational opportunities I’ve been offered here at Ritsumeikan. Already, I feel that my language skill has improved immensely thanks to the hard work of my professors and peers. When not studying or destressing with friends, I find myself frequenting a space on campus called the ‘Beyond Borders Plaza,’ or BBP for short. In this establishment, international students such as myself are able to speak with Japanese student volunteers in an environment which encourages language exchange specifically. As such, I’ve been learning Japanese here through both academic study and genuine immersion, and it’s propelled my education much further than I could’ve ever imagined it would.
Life in a foreign country has naturally been a stressful experience, but I’m grateful for the challenge and all that it’s brought me. After being thrown into an incredibly differently structured society head first and scrambling to orient myself, I’ve settled into a difficult but exciting life here in Japan’s historical capital. Every day, my views are challenged in ways I couldn’t have ever expected, and every day I am glad to have the opportunity to view life from a new lens. My goal coming into this program was to expand my own world view in addition to improving my Japanese language skill, and I am thankful to be able to say that I am definitely on the path to achieving it.
I’m excited to share more about my program in the coming weeks! Below are some photos I’ve taken throughout Kyoto so far.
