Enjoying Kyoto So Far

Kiana Davis

Linguistics major
Kyoto Sangyo University, Japan

My name is Kiana Davis, and I am a linguistics major studying abroad at Kyoto Sangyo University in Kyoto, Japan. I'm less than halfway through my year-long exchange, but I've already had so many wonderful new experiences here in Japan so far. I have made many new friends with both international students and locals, seen many new places both in and around the city, and have even found enjoyment in some of the more mundane aspects of living in Japan. I can't say everything is picture-perfect here, and my language abilities aren't quite where I want it to be yet, but regardless, I know coming here on exchange is something I'll never forget and never regret.

It's hard for me to pinpoint a number one favorite experience, but I've been enjoying being able to properly experience the changing of the seasons, which is something that I can't get while living in Hawaii. Something that stands out in mind is the time where I visited Fushimi Inari Shrine in the fall. One thing that made it nice was being able to go there with many of my friends I've made here, and being able to talk and hang out in the cool weather while passing through the multitudes of torii gates.

On my way down from the mountain, there was one area that had me taken aback by how vibrant the leaves were. Not pictured is how moments after I took this photo, the fattest cat came strolling by out of nowhere. That really topped off this experience.