Ramen, Sumo Wrestling, and a Bamboo Forest: Keys to a High School Student’s Immersive Japanese Experience

October 5, 2026

Every other summer, members of the Global Education Club have an opportunity to take a thrilling week-long trip to a faraway destination. In club meetings, students learn about the destination’s culture and history. Club members are not required to travel, as the trip does come at a monetary cost. Below is student Charlotte’s article about her trip to Japan last summer with the club.

The Global Education Club focused on helping students develop a firm understanding of Japan’s largest ideas and cultural understandings. We discussed etiquette, history, traditions, anime, myths, legends, food, arts, literature, origami, calligraphy, architecture, religion, gardens, national sports, music, clothing, games, hobbies, and celebrations. These ideas allowed us to have an added immersive learning experience while on tour.

The days before the trip were both exciting and nerve-wracking. It was my first time packing in only a carry-on and backpack due to restrictions of the bullet trains and a large traveling group. Limiting what I was packing was difficult but, surprisingly, I had plenty of space for souvenirs on the way home! I was beyond ecstatic, excited to experience Japan after the years of anticipation.

As I was boarding the plane, I was excited for the new memories but also a little worried about the 14-hour plane ride. When we arrived in Japan, I was already struck by the immersion of cultures as well as the daily life of residents.

We visited a few major cities, such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. One striking aspect about Japan was how quiet it was, even in busy areas like the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. I noticed that the people who resided there did not talk on the phone in public spaces. The low voices emulated the respect Japan held, with most tourists being respectful of this custom, which added to the enchanting and inviting light of Japan.

While on tour, we filled our days with action-packed fun while still having time to enjoy our surroundings, allowing memorable moments and places to stick with us. Some of my favorite destinations included the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, the sumo wrestling restaurant, the shrines and temples, and the shopping areas such as Yokohama’s Chinatown.

The locals were understanding and patient while answering questions at airports and shops, even with the strong language barrier. Learning the local language turned out to be more confusing than I originally thought; however, it was interesting to observe how it differed by region.

During our time abroad, we learned important developmental skills, such as independence, decision-making, and money management. In connection with school, we saw nutrition, technology, and language in the real world and how they affected the livelihoods of the natives. Personally, I gained confidence in my decision-making skills, allowing me to grow in how independent I am when I’m away from home.

My favorite memory from this trip was the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum experience. It was highly immersive and interesting to see the evolution of ramen and all the different flavors. They had a store full of varieties that I took full advantage of. They also had a downstairs area that felt like you were in a different world, where you could try ramen and take pictures with a rustic phone booth and motorcycle. Additionally, they had a station where you could customize your own ramen and even add a personal photo as the cover.

In the summer of 2025, I attended the PA Cyber National Parks Club trip to Utah and Arizona. That trip was similar to my Japan trip in the aspect of going away from home without immediate family; however, Japan emphasized tourism and culture, while the national parks trip emphasized natural experiences, such as hikes. In the summer of 2023, I also went on the Cuisine and Culture tour in Italy.

I highly recommend taking advantage of opportunities to travel and explore through PA Cyber. These trips are once-in-a-lifetime ways to connect with peers and faculty, face to face, in an environment that’s not dependent on school performance. They allow travel to start early in life for a lower cost. The 2026 Japan trip encouraged social growth, responsibility, and engagement. My experience traveling with PA Cyber to Italy, various national parks, and Japan influenced my love for exploration and travel. It opened a world of learning and living that didn’t just have to happen in the US because I was “scared to be away from home.” It showed that the world held meaning and adventure outside of my daily life, and that I could enjoy it and support my future prospects of travel and research without being blocked by fear of change from the new and evolving environments.

The Global Education Club is partnering with EF Tours to explore Amsterdam and Paris in the summer of 2028. Students who are currently in grades 7-11 may attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, October 14. Click this link to RSVP: https://rsvp.eftours.com/sk4nuak. Send questions to michelle.rodgers@pacyber.org or sean.wisniewski@pacyber.org.

View more photos from the Japan trip: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6oAA.