Angel Pham
UMBC Faculty-Led: Global Health and Aging in Japan
Major: Media & Communications
Minor: Management
Pre-Departure Post
Dear reader,
My name is Angel Pham and I’m a rising senior majoring in Media and Communications with a minor in Management. This summer, I will be studying abroad in Japan through UMBC’s program focused on global health and aging in Kanagawa, Japan!
At first glance, my major may make some people wonder how I connect to a program focused on health and aging. However, I think that is the beauty of opportunities like study abroad at UMBC; they encourage students to grow beyond the boundaries of what they study in the classroom. This program gives me the opportunity to explore ideas from an entirely different perspective by examining how innovation and technology are being used to address real-world challenges within healthcare and aging populations. I’m excited to immerse myself in a new culture while expanding my understanding of how communication, innovation, and global issues intersect!
Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. Since I will be graduating a semester early, I knew this was something I wanted to accomplish before finishing my college journey. I truly believe college is a time filled with opportunities to step outside of your comfort zone, grow as a person, and experience new perspectives. When I first heard about this opportunity through UMBC, I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it.
Outside of academics, I am most excited to truly immerse myself in the environment and culture of Kanagawa. I’m looking forward to visiting new sites, exploring nature. I’m especially excited about visiting Hakone, known for its beautiful scenery, and hopefully being able to see Mount Fuji during my time there. I also look forward to trying new foods, exploring cafes, and experiencing the shopping areas for clothing, skincare, and haircare in Japan, especially since there are so many unique brands, trends, and products that aren’t always as accessible elsewhere. I’m also especially looking forward to bringing my film camera with me to document this experience. Photography has always been something I enjoy, and Japan is also known for its deep appreciation of cameras and film photography, which makes it even more meaningful for me to capture everyday moments through film. I can’t wait to develop the photos afterward! I have always wanted to travel to East Asia, and Japan has been one of my dream destinations for a very long time, so this experience feels incredibly surreal and meaningful to me.
As my departure date gets closer, I’ve definitely started feeling a mix of emotions. While I’m incredibly excited, I think the biggest thing I’m nervous about is feeling overwhelmed by how much there is to see, discover, and experience. Traveling itself doesn’t make me too nervous since I’ve traveled internationally before, even alone, but I do think navigating Japan’s train and subway systems during my free time will be a little intimidating at first. At the same time, I know I’ll be surrounded by an amazing cohort, and I’m sure by the time we have more independent travel opportunities, I’ll have a much better understanding of how everything works. Because of that, I’m trying not to let the nerves outweigh the excitement as there’s so much, I want to accomplish!
Right now, preparation has consisted of making checklists and creating a personal itinerary alongside reviewing the program schedule so I can pack properly and make the most of my time in Japan. I’ve also been researching what I should and shouldn’t bring, especially when it comes to medications, clothing for the season, and other travel essentials. I’ve also been making a point to soak up as much time as possible with my family and friends. I had just returned home for the semester and now I’m getting ready to head out again, so it’s been really nice being able to enjoy time together! Just the other day, my friend asked me to take her grad photos alongside our two other friends which was super fun! We went out to go eat after and watch a movie which was so nice as we all got to catch up right before my trip.
Thank you so much for reading the first part of my blog! I can’t wait to share more about my experiences in this program and I’m so excited to share with you all future updates from Japan after this, talk to you soon!
In-Country Post #1
Dear reader,
I can officially say that I’m writing to you from Japan!
It’s honestly still hard to believe that after months of preparation, planning, and anticipation, I’m finally here! These first few days have been filled with learning, exploration, excitement, despite the jet lag. Although I’ve only been here for a short time, I already feel like I’ve experienced so much for it being only 2 days!
On my first full day, I woke up around 4:40 am, which left me with several hours to spare before my 1 pm meeting time. This didn’t come to a surprise to me as I’ve traveled to places with this time zone difference, so I was prepared! I actually enjoy having extra time to settle into my surroundings bright and early (it makes me feel like a morning person, even though I know very well I’d be knocked out asleep back in the states). I started my day with an egg sandwich from the FamilyMart connected to our hotel, which was so yummy, and spent the morning printing some business cards, calling my family back home, and getting ready for the day.
Later that afternoon, our group visited the Kanagawa Prefectural Government offices, where we had the incredible opportunity to meet and hear from the Governor of Kanagawa, Yuji Kuroiwa. Hearing Governor Kuroiwa discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Kanagawa gave me a deeper understanding of how innovation, policy, and community efforts work together to support healthy aging. We also met students from Seoul, South Korea who joined us! Being able to exchange perspectives with students from another country reminded me that study abroad is not only about learning from the place you’re visiting, but also from the people you meet along the way.
Day two started much like day one: very early. I woke up around 5:30 am this time, got ready, grabbed food at FamilyMart for our private ride, and headed downstairs to meet the group before our visit to a dementia care center.
The drive there ended up being one of my favorite parts of the day. Sitting in the car and looking out the window, I found myself paying attention to all the small details around me. It was one of those moments where everything finally felt real. It suddenly hit me that I was actually here.
As we drove through neighborhoods and cities, I noticed so many things that fascinated me. There were people biking everywhere, children walking to school, workers commuting by train, and families starting their day together. At one point, I noticed what appeared to be construction workers stretching and doing exercises together in unison before beginning work. We also passed fields growing crops!
As a Media and Communications major, I’ve also found myself paying close attention to the way information is presented and advertised here. Whether it’s public transportation announcements or advertisements throughout the city, I’ve really enjoyed observing the differences in communication styles and public messaging compared to what I’m used to seeing back home.
We got to the center a bit early, so our group got coffee as we waited. During this, we saw groups of young children walking in a line together in matching hats while holding hands. It was such a simple moment, but it became a highlight! Having previously worked with children, it was especially heartwarming to see!
Our visit to the dementia care center was incredibly insightful as we learned about community-based efforts to support individuals living with dementia and discussed how local organizations work together to create environments where people can continue living meaningful and connected lives. Beyond learning about healthcare systems, it was inspiring to see how much emphasis is placed on community, dignity, and inclusion.
Later that day, we traveled to Tokyo for a meeting with the creator the Helte app, named Sail, a virtual platform that connects older adults with international Japanese learners through online engagement and learning opportunities. This was one of the most engaging discussions I’ve had so far. Not only did I learn more about aging and social connections on a global scale, but I also gained insight into entrepreneurship, innovation, and how technology can be used to address real-world challenges.
After our meeting in Tokyo, we took about an hour-long trip back to Yokohama on the subway which was very packed. By the time we arrived, we had about 30 minutes to rest before heading back out for our welcome dinner, which had originally been postponed due to our travel delays on the first day.
Even though we all were so tired by the end of it, the dinner was so fun as it gave my cohort the chance to spend time together outside of our academic visits and really get to know one another. It was amazing to hear everyone’s perspectives and learn more about the people I’ll be spending these next few weeks with. I already feel much closer to my cohort and professor, and it’ll be a core memory of this trip for sure!
Now, as I’m writing this, it’s currently raining outside my hotel. A typhoon is expected to pass through tomorrow (it’s the season for it, but here we most likely won’t get much beyond some heavy rain?) and because of this, our classes have been moved online, so I plan to use tomorrow as a resting day.
I’ve been working on an itinerary and have exciting things planned, and I can’t wait to report back with all my upcoming experiences! Fingers crossed the weather looks up from here!
Talk to you soon!