Kyoto, Japan. A city of tradition, history, and tranquility. Believe it or not, my happy accident of studying abroad. Just six months ago, my heart was set on studying abroad in Rome, Italy. The courses in Rome aligned with my major of screenwriting, with classes in English, Art History and Italian Language. In Rome, I could finish my great screenplay, started in Screenwriting 1 with Professor Michael Stinson, perched on a ledge at the Colosseum. I had visions of Audrey Hepburn in Roman holiday, except it would be my red hair flying from a Vespa and getting cutely cut into a bob.
So it was a nasty shock when I opened https://sbcc.edu/studyabroad/ to find Rome 2025: Applications Closed. I was devastated, my wings clipped, sentenced to another semester in Santa Barbara. Not a bad sentence, here in the American Riviera, but after living in paradise on earth since the age of one, I craved an experience beyond beach bonfires.
I am a San Marcos High School graduate of 2024 with a childhood nestled between the pacific ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains. My fondness for this town is rivaled only by my appetite for adventure.
However, upon reflection, I realized my desire to study abroad in Rome was based on familiarity and comfort, not adventure.
Rome, much like Santa Barbara, is a tourist destination. My Instagram feed is frequently stormed by cobblestone streets, Mediterranean beaches, and handmade pizzas. To me, Rome was a way to enter a new culture while staying comfortable, surrounded by the familiarity of tourism. Kyoto, on the other hand, has never once been glamorized on my Instagram feed. Living in Kyoto would be all opposites and adjustments. But Kyoto was my option for leaving Santa Barbara. It was an opportunity for adventure.
Letting go of my Roman Holiday fantasy was challenging, but after one conversation with Professor David Elliot my attitude changed completely. The colosseum in my mind transformed into the Imperial Palace of Kyoto. My future started to smell of cherry blossoms and ramen noodle dishes. From his passion and stories, Kyoto began to sound far more fascinating than Rome ever had. I started my application and submitted it without hesitation.
In Kyoto, we will be studying history, global studies, and sociology. Specific courses include World Civilization, Beginnings to 1550, World Civilization, 1550 to Present, Introduction to Global Studies, and Media, Culture and Society through anime and manga studies. During my sophomore year of high school I took AP world history and discovered a great appreciation for history. My brilliant instructor, Melanie Jacobson, taught history like the colorful tapestry of stories that it is. Unknowingly, Ms. Jacobson prepared me to cherish my futures studies in Kyoto.
Our classes will take place at the second oldest university in Japan, Kyoto University. Our school days are broken into two classes from 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm. The classes run Monday through Thursday, giving plenty of time for out of class room adventure.
I have gathered several recommendations of places to visit from friends and family. For starters, the Mipig Cafe in Kyoto. As pigs are my favorite animal, the idea of a tea with tea cup pigs running about is heavenly.
TeamLab Planet in Tokyo is a museum unlike any museum that comes to your mind. The displays include a floating flower garden, drawings on water surfaces, and the infinite crystal universe room.
A final must is The Star Wars Convention of 2025, held at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. While my Dad is the real Star Wars fan of the family, I am a film nerd at heart and theater kid to my core. For those two reasons, I love Star Wars and cosplay. Since this Star Wars spectacular happens to take place in the same country during my time there, the opportunity too perfect to pass.
While those recommendations are all modern, pop culture experiences, I am equally eager to experience the history and tradition found in Japan. Upon our arrival we will be taking a tour of the Shijo Kawaramachi Area. With a blend of history and modernity, this area was a busy hub for merchants during the Edo period. This tour will be followed by a visit to the temple Kiyomizu dera, Nijo Castle, and the Nishiki Market.
Going abroad was encouraged to me by my parents as they lived in Slovakia, Portugal, China, and Mexico throughout their 20s. As I reflected on their experiences, the most adventurous and memorable stories included a bit of discomfort. Living with a language of characters and three alphabets could be uncomfortable, but is bound to create adventure. A miscommunication might find me in a new location or result in a delicious mystery meal. While studying abroad I aim to embrace uncomfortable moments and step outside my normalcies.
Told to me by many is the statement "studying abroad changed my life”. My parents, friends, even strangers when the topic arose, all believe that their experience abroad was transformative. Whether they became a more outgoing person or found new ways of living, they were changed.
In three months, on May 3rd, I will potentially say the same statement. Stay tuned, and try to spot changes as I blog my way through Kyoto, Japan.
Sincerely yours,
Olivia
About the writer:
Olivia Miller is a freshman at SBCC, studying screenwriting. Olivia grew up in the oak tree forests and twisting creeks of Goleta and Santa Barbara. Around middle school, she fell in love with the performing arts, which blossomed into a passion for film. In high school, she wrote for the San Marcos King’s Page, won a Santa Barbara Film Festival competition for screenwriting, and performed in numerous plays and musicals. As a Promise Program student, Olivia has entered the halls of SBCC, courageously continuing her creative pursuits as a career. During her first semester at SBCC, she explored film, dance, and quilting classes—each fulfilling her artistic craving. Alongside her love of writing and performing, Olivia has a deep respect for world history, attributed to her AP World History teacher, Melanie Jacobson, from high school. Studying history, global studies, and sociology in Kyoto, Japan will expand that appreciation. She hopes to experience both the living history and modern arts of Japan during her time abroad. And, of course, she cannot wait to try the food—especially her favorite, ramen!
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