After a decade-long hiatus, Knox College’s immersive Japan Term returned stronger than ever this fall. Over the 2024 winter break, 24 Knox students had the opportunity to embrace Japanese culture through a two-week-immersive program that took them across the country with faculty members Jessa Dahl ’10, history, and Natsumi Hayashi, Japanese.

Japan Immersion Term was originally designed in 2007 by Provost and Dean of College Michael Schneider and R. Lance Factor Endowed Professorship in Philosophy William Young for students to visit Japan and experience the socio-cultural nuances of the country outside of a classroom setting.

Dahl, who during her time at Knox as a student, participated in Japan Term, was excited to be involved with reviving the program. “I think that there is incredible value in not just visiting other places, but in coming to know and deeply experience them,” she said. “I think that gives us better context on not just what is happening in our communities and around us, but also around the world. I find value in helping students learn about and understand another culture and navigate a different space while gaining the confidence to do so.” 

Likewise, Hayashi, who is originally from Osaka, was eager to welcome her students to her hometown. “I always tell my students about my hometown in the classroom, and I show them a map. When 25 students signed up when we were expecting 10, I was pleasantly surprised, and I was so glad to see my students engage with it,” she said. 

With a year in the making, Japan Term was structured in two parts. The first was a class component that required students to undertake a 0.5 credit course, where they learned everything they had to know about Japan and its culture and history. The second half of the course was traveling through Japan, with professors who each led a tour group through their chosen destinations of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo. 

To help fund this expedition, the team reached out and worked closely with the Gerald & Carol Vovis Center for Research & Advanced Study. Most students applied for a Power of Experience Grant, which is a $2000 grant awarded to juniors and seniors to fund projects. Serving as a learning and professional development opportunity through the funding they obtained, students had the opportunity to present research they carried out through the course of their trip as a formal research project. 

Students also had the opportunity to explore the country during their free time and travel independently of the class. Jaylen Carewell ’27 appreciates being able to travel to a different continent. “I have always had the goal to travel and see the world past Illinois,” he said. “I think it has only furthered my goals to travel again, see somewhere new, and learn new things from that area. I also have neat stories and experiences I can use in various class discussions.”