Claire is an American senior at Winona State University, who is majoring in Global Studies and has Asian Studies minor.

   Claire attended Akita University in Japan in 2011 for a year.  She had been learning Japanese since high school and took more courses in college.  Claire also took two other trips to Japan so she felt prepared. “I didn’t experience culture shock, I was just jet-lagged,” she said.

   Claire is a language aficionado and knows Spanish, American Sign Language and German. She chose to learn Japanese for credit but she enjoys aspects of Japanese culture like the show “Sailor Moon.” She also loves Japanese food especially sukiyaki, which is a noodle-stew like dish, that she got introduced too on her first trip. “After my two week trip I knew I wanted to go back,” she said. 

   Claire then signed up for a semester, “I loved it so much I wanted to extend it,” she said so she extended it for another semester.  She knew no one at the university but adjusted very quickly by making friends with the Japanese students and other international students.

   Claire has Asperger’s Syndrome, which is an autism disorder that is characterized by difficulties with social interactions. “They were very nice over there,” she said, “some of my eccentricities were confusing to them.” Claire commended Winona State University for their active involvement in working with Akita University so her disability needs could be met abroad.

   Even though Claire had prepared herself for the Japanese language she struggled a little. “When I travel abroad my language get’s stuck on English,” she said, “it took awhile to adjust my brain to hearing and speaking Japanese.” Claire said she eventually adjusted to the language.  Her classes at Akita though were taught in English.

   “Everybody has a different experience,” Claire said, “it felt the same as here (Winona State)” Overall, she said her experience was an extremely positive one and she would like to go back to Japan.