{"id":2372,"date":"2025-04-15T08:47:09","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T12:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/?p=2372"},"modified":"2025-04-15T08:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T12:47:10","slug":"southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Over spring break, a group of ambitious Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) students, faculty, staff and community members ventured halfway around the world to explore the rich culture and history of Japan. The study abroad trip, designed to offer cultural immersion and foster global citizenship, took students to five major cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Nara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The educational trip, organized by the college\u2019s international education program, was aimed at enhancing students’ global perspectives and deepening their understanding of Japan\u2019s history, traditions, and modern innovations. With a focus on fostering global citizenship, the journey allowed students to step outside their comfort zones and connect with a culture vastly different from their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Tokyo, the bustling capital city, students marveled at the juxtaposition of futuristic skyscrapers and traditional temples. They visited famous sites such as the Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, and the Tokyo Tower, gaining firsthand insight into the rapid pace of modern life in one of the world\u2019s largest cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traveling to Kyoto, a city steeped in ancient traditions, the group explored centuries-old temples, shrines, and picturesque gardens. Kyoto\u2019s rich cultural history, including its famous tea ceremonies and geisha districts, provided students with a deeper appreciation for Japan’s deep-rooted heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The journey continued to Osaka, where students were immersed in the vibrant culinary scene and the lively atmosphere of Japan’s third-largest city. From sampling street food in Dotonbori to visiting Osaka Castle, the experience gave students a taste of both modern urban life and historical landmarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiroshima, known for its tragic history as the site of the first atomic bomb, offered a poignant stop. Students visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, reflecting on the impact of war and the importance of peace. The visit served as a powerful reminder of the importance of global cooperation and diplomacy in a rapidly changing world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, the group explored Nara, home to ancient temples and friendly deer roaming freely in Nara Park. The serene atmosphere provided students with a moment of reflection on the importance of preserving cultural and natural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April Quesenberry, Associate Dean of Honors and International Education, expressed her excitement for the students’ growth during the journey. \u201cThis trip is about more than just seeing new places; it\u2019s about expanding worldviews and fostering a sense of global citizenship. The students returned not just with souvenirs, but with a deeper understanding of the world around them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of SWCC\u2019s ongoing commitment to international education, this study abroad opportunity is just one example of the college\u2019s efforts to prepare students for a globalized future. By encouraging students to engage with different cultures, SWCC is helping to nurture a generation of individuals who understand the importance of empathy, diplomacy, and collaboration on the world stage. The students who participated in this study abroad trip are now better prepared to navigate the complexities of an interconnected world, armed with an enriched worldview that will serve them throughout their academic and professional careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SWCC remains dedicated to fostering the next generation of global citizens\u2014students who not only excel academically but are also equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. For more information on study abroad opportunities at SWCC, please reach out to\u00a0April\u00a0Quesenberry, Associate Dean of Honors and International Education at april.quesenberry@sw.edu or 276-964-7336.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Southwest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Southwest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Southwest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Southwest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Southwest<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over spring break, a group of ambitious Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) students, faculty, staff and community members ventured halfway around the world to explore the rich culture and history<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2373,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,20,146,36,151,32,7],"tags":[160,70,13],"class_list":["post-2372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-faculty","category-honors","category-press-release","category-sga","category-staff","category-students","tag-japan","tag-spring-break","tag-students"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSouthwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan - Southwest Virginia Community College News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Over spring break, a group of ambitious Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) students, faculty, staff and community members ventured halfway around the world to explore the rich culture and history\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Southwest Virginia Community College News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-15T12:47:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-15T12:47:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"961\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"448\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"flying-eagle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"flying-eagle\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"flying-eagle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/dfceb2b9420c3cb93d8172ffad278f39\"},\"headline\":\"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-15T12:47:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-15T12:47:10+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/\"},\"wordCount\":570,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Japan\",\"spring break\",\"students\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Community\",\"Faculty\",\"Honors\",\"Press Release\",\"SGA\",\"Staff\",\"Students\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/\",\"name\":\"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan - Southwest Virginia Community College News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-15T12:47:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-15T12:47:10+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/dfceb2b9420c3cb93d8172ffad278f39\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg\",\"width\":961,\"height\":448,\"caption\":\"Southwest Virginia Community College students, faculty, staff and community members explore the rich culture and history of Japan.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/\",\"name\":\"Southwest Virginia Community College News\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/dfceb2b9420c3cb93d8172ffad278f39\",\"name\":\"flying-eagle\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2a18a77eee278996f65e456101fd11449ad72a274b6aaf92231c9faf9ee9f05f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2a18a77eee278996f65e456101fd11449ad72a274b6aaf92231c9faf9ee9f05f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2a18a77eee278996f65e456101fd11449ad72a274b6aaf92231c9faf9ee9f05f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"flying-eagle\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/sw.edu\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/author\/flying-eagle\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan - Southwest Virginia Community College News","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan","og_description":"Over spring break, a group of ambitious Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) students, faculty, staff and community members ventured halfway around the world to explore the rich culture and history","og_url":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/","og_site_name":"Southwest Virginia Community College News","article_published_time":"2025-04-15T12:47:09+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-04-15T12:47:10+00:00","og_image":[{"width":961,"height":448,"url":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"flying-eagle","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"flying-eagle","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/"},"author":{"name":"flying-eagle","@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/dfceb2b9420c3cb93d8172ffad278f39"},"headline":"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan","datePublished":"2025-04-15T12:47:09+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-15T12:47:10+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/"},"wordCount":570,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg","keywords":["Japan","spring break","students"],"articleSection":["Community","Faculty","Honors","Press Release","SGA","Staff","Students"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/","url":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/","name":"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan - Southwest Virginia Community College News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg","datePublished":"2025-04-15T12:47:09+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-15T12:47:10+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/dfceb2b9420c3cb93d8172ffad278f39"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/04\/2025-JAPAN-Hero-Image-1920x894-1.jpg","width":961,"height":448,"caption":"Southwest Virginia Community College students, faculty, staff and community members explore the rich culture and history of Japan."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/southwest-students-embarked-on-spring-break-study-abroad-to-japan\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Southwest Students Embarked on Spring Break Study Abroad to Japan"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/","name":"Southwest Virginia Community College News","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/dfceb2b9420c3cb93d8172ffad278f39","name":"flying-eagle","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2a18a77eee278996f65e456101fd11449ad72a274b6aaf92231c9faf9ee9f05f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2a18a77eee278996f65e456101fd11449ad72a274b6aaf92231c9faf9ee9f05f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2a18a77eee278996f65e456101fd11449ad72a274b6aaf92231c9faf9ee9f05f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"flying-eagle"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/sw.edu"],"url":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/author\/flying-eagle\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2372","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2372"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2372\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2379,"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2372\/revisions\/2379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2373"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2372"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2372"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}