Global Impact

he clouds look the same no matter the country, but cultures across borders are unique. Aria Kriebel knows this. She always takes a moment to admire a new country as she prepares to land. Her destination: Japan.

Kriebel is a Slippery Rock University senior strategic communication and media major from Lyndora, Butler County. She accompanied her classmates for a trip to Japan last spring led by Yukako Ishimaru, an SRU instructor of language, literatures, cultures, and writing.

What Kriebel didn’t know was that this trip would fulfill her lifetime dream of visiting Japan and deepen her passion for traveling.

“It is incredible to watch a classroom lesson turn into a real-world experience,” said Ishimaru. “I have watched Aria and many of my students grow while abroad. To learn about a country and then experience it firsthand can be a transformative journey for many students.”

During her 10-day trip, Kriebel spent an afternoon among Japanese students at Saga University, visited the Dazaifu Shrine, took painting and pottery classes, and explored other Japanese cities like Nagasaki. Prior to her trip, Kriebel had traveled to Canada and the Netherlands, but having an organized trip with professors and fellow SRU students has expanded her horizons and stirred her wanderlust. She plans to visit the United Kingdom and France in 2025.

“The time and effort I put into learning Japanese inside and outside of the classroom paid off while visiting Japan,” said Kriebel. “Having a prior knowledge of Japanese made me feel more connected to people I interacted with. I fell in love with Japanese music in high school and wanted to understand the lyrics, so I taught myself the writing systems of Hiragana and Katakana. Using those skills in Japan was incredible, and I’m so glad I didn’t give up on my passion.”

“Students can study abroad from any major, for any length of time, in any place in the world — it is self-designed,” said Jenny Kawata, SRU’s director of global exchanges and partnerships. “Many of our students who travel abroad say that it is the most impactful experience that they’ve had during their time in college. It makes a big difference for attracting and retaining students, and, most importantly, setting them up to succeed.”

While in Japan, Kriebel spent an afternoon with students at Saga University, where she learned about their lives, education system and personal experiences. Learning about institutional structures and meeting the people within them was the bridge between theory and practice.

“The best part of my trip was meeting students my own age and learning about their lives. We had so much in common, but also so many differences like how we approach daily life, work and communication,” Kriebel said. “Japan taught me how nuanced communication can be. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it, and the context in which you say it.”

This cultural immersion wasn’t limited to conversations. Time spent at the Dazaifu Shrine taught Kriebel about traditional Japanese customs, which was further enhanced by hands-on activities like painting and pottery classes.

“The shrines were beautiful, I even had the chance to wear a kimono and partake in a traditional tea ceremony,” Kriebel said.

“I was able to introduce some of the students to American music, customs and even some interesting words we use,” said Kriebel, who noted slang terms that amused the Japanese students, like “cookin’” to describe something impressive. “Just sitting down and having a conversation taught us all so much about our countries.”

These exchanges reinforced her belief that despite the differences in customs, language or traditions, people around the world are trying to achieve similar things: they want to be understood, they want to grow and they want to connect with others.

The experience in Japan allowed Kriebel to take the knowledge she had gained in the classroom and apply it in real-world situations. It contributed to a more well-rounded education, expanded her worldview and gave her a deeper understanding of a culture she has always admired. It will also help her develop skills and traits that employers desire.

According to Kawata, students who study abroad see boosts in their critical thinking, self-confidence, and cultural awareness and appreciation that leads to greater understanding in professional settings.

In other words, students like Kriebel are ready for whatever comes next, even if that’s more stamps on her passport. After graduating from SRU, Kriebel is pursuing a master’s degree in communications, culture and creative industries from an online school based in Sweden. She is interested in working abroad as a copywriter or for a nonprofit organization.

“I’ve learned that learning never stops,” Kriebel said. “I have so much to learn about cultures around the world. I can’t wait to see where my journey takes me next.”