2025 EAI highlights
As the 2025 EAI program came to an end, we interviewed an EAI student to hear about the highlights of their stay in Japan!
Our semester at TCU has been filled with moments weʼll carry with us for a long time. And while there are countless highlights, there are three that especially stand out for us.
First, the gift of learning.
All of us came to TCU through a study-abroad program, which meant this wasnʼt simply a vacation was an opportunity to learn.
We learned about Japan, its culture, and its people not only through our classes, but also through the experiences we shared on our trips.
Yet the learning didnʼt stop there.
We learned through simply living in a new country, facing new situations, and discovering more about ourselves.
Whether it was trying new food for the first time like natto or takoyaki, getting on the train the wrong direction and only realizing after 30 minutes, or embarrassing yourself trying to talk Japanese and saying something completely wrong, those moments taught us just as much as anything in a textbook.
Which leads to the second, personal growth.
Every one of us faced challenges this semester whether it was language barriers, cultural differences, or simply learning how to be more independent. We stepped outside our comfort zones and took risks.
But through every challenge and every small victory, he used our experiences to shape us, stretch us, and draw us closer to Him and reminded us that growth often happens in the unfamiliar.
And third, the reminder of Godʼs grace and love.
Throughout this journey, we encountered so many unexpected moments, some exciting, some difficult but in all of them, God showed us His goodness.
We were reminded again and again that He is loving, faithful, and present, and that He created this world with care and purpose.
As this chapter close and as this year itself winds down, we invite you to reflect on
your own journey.
Think about the seasons in your life when God has been present, even in the unexpected, and notice how gracious He has been.
