Mont Alto marketing student's Maymester in Japan: 'An opportunity I couldn't pass up'

MONT ALTO, Pa. - For many students, the idea of traveling to another country is exciting - but navigating an unfamiliar culture, language and transportation system can also feel intimidating. A "Maymester" study abroad program through Penn State Mont Alto, offered in partnership with Asia Pacific Academic (APA), was designed to help students build the confidence and skills to travel internationally while experiencing Japan's history, culture and daily life firsthand.

Asia-Pacific Academic (APA) is an international education organization founded in 2021 that provides study abroad, internship, and faculty-led programs across more than 20 countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific area, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and China.

Led by Linghao Zhong, director of Academic Affairs and chemistry professor at Penn State Mont Alto, the program took students through Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Uji using Japan's extensive public transportation system. Rather than simply visiting tourist destinations, students learned how to navigate trains and buses, communicate across language barriers and immerse themselves in everyday life - all while gaining a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture.

For Christopher Norris, a sophomore majoring in marketing at Penn State Mont Alto, the experience became much more than a study abroad trip. In this first-person reflection, he shares how traveling more than 6,000 miles from home challenged him to step outside his comfort zone, build confidence, and see the world from a new perspective.