Scholarship Recipients’ Study Abroad Experiences
We are sharing study abroad experiences from exchange students who previously received the ICU Study Abroad and Experiential Learning Support Scholarship.
- Malena from Universidad de Málaga (Spain)
- Melinda from Bratislava International School of Liberal Arts (Slovakia)
- Yaewon from Ewha Womans University (Korea)
- Angelina from University of California (Santa Cruz)
Malena from Universidad de Málaga (Spain)
Dorm Life
Living in the ICU dorms was amazing. The facilities were clean and comfortable.
The girls on my floor welcomed me warmly, even though my Japanese was not strong at first.
Despite the language barrier, everyone respected the rules, and the atmosphere was friendly and supportive.
We had fun events like takoyaki night that really brought us together.
One of my favorite things is the onsen at Momi House, which happens to be perfect for relaxing after a long day.
Scholarship Benefits
This support was incredibly helpful, as housing is a major expense and Tokyo is a very expensive city.
Thanks to the scholarship, I was able to focus more on my studies and fully enjoy my time in Japan without the stress of financial worries.
Living in the dorm also allowed me to build close friendships and experience daily life in Japan more deeply.
I am truly grateful for this opportunity. It made my study abroad experience much more fulfilling and memorable.
A message to future exchange students
You will be mesmerized by the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the ICU campus!
There is also a wide variety of clubs to join: each one is highly professional and dedicated.
Do not miss the chance to get involved, meet new people, and experience student life in Japan to the fullest!
Melinda from Bratislava International School of Liberal Arts (Slovakia)
Study at ICU
I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to study at ICU. It was my first time both in Japan and on an exchange program.
Experiencing Japanese culture firsthand was something I had always dreamed of, and ICU exceeded my expectations.
I also appreciated the international environment—our class discussions included viewpoints from all over the world.
Dorm Life
Dorm life at Zelkova House was a highlight.
The dorm is modern, spacious, and beautifully maintained, honestly, it felt like a hotel compared to Slovak standards. I loved the setup.
My roommate was kind and helpful, we hung out outside the dorm as well.
Shared spaces like the lounge and kitchen allowed me to build friendships through activities like movie nights, cooking, and initiation practices, which were really fun!
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship allowed me to fully enjoy my time in Japan without constantly worrying about finances.
Since I support myself during my studies, I initially planned to work part-time in Japan, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find a job.
Yet, thanks to the scholarship, I could focus on academics and also enjoy local experiences.
This would not have been possible without financial support.
A message to future exchange students
If you’re considering ICU, go for it!
If you are interested in Japanese language, join the JLP (Japanese Language Program). Even total beginners make huge progress fast, and it will come handy in so many situations!
Also, don’t hesitate to explore clubs or school events. There are so many options for clubs, I think everyone can find the one they are interested in, and that is a good way to make new friends.
ICU offers so many chances to grow, meet people, and have fun. You won’t feel alone, and you’ll leave with unforgettable memories.
Yaewon from Ewha Womans University (Korea)
Study at ICU
Academically, courses such as Modern Japanese Literature II, Outline of Economic Geography, Introduction to Cultural Studies A, and Human, Society and Culture in the Post-Disaster Era deepened my knowledge and broadened my critical perspective. Through these experiences, I gained not only academic insight but also empathy, responsibility, and the joy of shared growth.
Though it was only three months, my time at ICU became a precious chapter of both learning and self-discovery.
It will remain a meaningful milestone in my academic journey.
Dorm Life
During my three months at ICU, I learned the value of consideration in communal living, found healing in nature, and achieved both academic and personal growth.
Ginkgo Dorm provided a safe base as I adapted to a new environment and built friendships that made Japan feel like home.
Surrounded by beautiful nature, I found peace and inspiration, while the open, eco-friendly cafeteria created warm spaces for conversation and connection.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship provided me with tremendous financial support, for which I am deeply grateful.
By covering my dormitory expenses, it allowed me to use my personal funds for self-development and daily life in Japan.
I visited museums and galleries like teamLab Borderless, the Mori Art Museum, and the Tokyo National Museum, which greatly deepened my insight as a design major.
The teamLab exhibition especially impressed me with its creative blend of technology and art.
Thanks to this generous support, I was able to fully enjoy Japanese culture and focus on both personal growth and academic enrichment at ICU.
A message to future exchange students
Hello everyone,
I am a recipient of the ICU Study Abroad / Experiential Learning Support Scholarship.
This scholarship allowed me to focus on learning and discover more about myself through new experiences.
Therefore, I strongly recommend this scholarship to all of you. It will greatly support your growth, development, and enriching experiences at ICU.
I hope many of you will also take this chance to challenge yourself and create unforgettable memories at ICU.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Angelina from University of California (Santa Cruz)
Life at ICU
My study abroad experience at ICU was so amazing and went beyond my expectations before arriving!
ICU is a very supportive school, where they have frequent events throughout the term to meet with other students abroad and get to know the school more.
Attending the ICU festival, being able to participate in school clubs (even for a term), and attending school plays was one of my favorite things to do while at ICU because there were so many diverse and supportive hobbies, ranging from things like a scuba diving club to theater to hiking clubs!
Every person and club I came across was very inclusive as they made it a point to make sure you feel as if you are a part of ICU and not just a visitor.
Scholarship Benefits
One thing that I really appreciated about ICU and this scholarship was the ability to live on campus.
While there are more food options, shopping places, and activities to do when living off campus, it is very convenient to be able to leave right before school starts instead of having to commute on a bus to get to school.
This scholarship helped me tremendously as it relieved a large amount of my financial burden while abroad.
With the flights, activities, health insurance, and food, outside costs do add up quickly, so being able to have the dormitory fees covered helped so much and allowed me to be less stressed throughout the quarter.
If I were to have to pay the housing fee or live off campus, I wouldn’t have been able to experience nearly half the things I did that immersed me into Japanese culture like museums, monumental buildings, and the overall lifestyle.
A message to future exchange students
If you are considering ICU, I would 100 percent recommend coming here.
The campus is homely, easy to navigate, and they have a convenient store on campus that makes it convenient to get snacks before or after classes.
One thing I would note is that because ICU is very prestigious and there is a language barrier, the teaching style can be hard to grasp at times.
Do not hesitate to go out of your way to ask for clarification or attend office hours when needed because it will help you in the long run :)
Outside of school, the environment and cities are so beautiful and have extensive things to offer like the Ghibli museum, so many themed cafes, Disneyland, vending machines everywhere, shopping malls, amazing nightlife, and Mount Fuji.
Through ICU-led gatherings, club rush, meeting classmates, and going to the city, you will have no problem fitting in and experiencing the rich culture that Japan has to offer!