A Double Major, Sawyer Culberson Adds Semester In Japan To His College Resume
Sawyer Elias Culberson ’26, a graphic design and criminal justice major, spent his fall 2023 semester at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata, Japan. He was 6,790 miles from home and further removed from his comfort zone.
But the once-in-a-lifetime experience helped him to close these distances. He’s less shy and more assertive now, too, and more certain about his career path and life trajectory.
And his bring-on-the-world spirit … well, it’s stronger than ever.
“Throughout my life, I have been through many tough situations, and I am currently in a few right now,” admits Sawyer, a Pembroke, N.H., native. “However, I continue to live and thrive in the way that I desire. This life is the only one I have, and I will do what I want with it no matter what is thrown at me or what others may think.”
Keene State students, like Sawyer, can choose to study outside of the United States – more than 20 destinations from the Czech Republic to Germany to Japan to Spain – with the College’s university and program partners. They may also select from domestic programs like the National Student Exchange and The Washington Center internship program. Often, these programs’ tuition and fees are the same as classes at Keene State, and classes abroad count for academic credit.
College is a fantastic way to make great connections, learn more about yourself, and discover other interests. Keene State gives you a structured path to success and helps you build a portfolio of experience that makes you a better candidate for job opportunities.”
– Sawyer Culberson ’26
Japan is far away but close in his heart.
While there, Sawyer took a criminal justice class, a Japanese design studies class, a Japanese language class, and a manga drawing class, the latter his favorite. He lived in a large dormitory with other international students, a handful with whom he maintains close friendships. He’s also close with Noa Kodama, a Japanese exchange student who attended Keene State during both semesters in 2023-2024. They met in Keene in the spring.
“It wasn’t planned to be a direct exchange between the two of us,” Sawyer explained, “but we got into contact via Skye. It just worked out that way. Noa’s back in Japan, but she is planning to visit again next summer.”
In Japan, “Our little (dorm) group clicked,” Sawyer said. “We went to Universal Studios Japan together, hung out, got tattoos. One student flew to New Hampshire to attend a concert with me. I learned so much about Japan … and the world.”
Two are Americans from Ohio, one is from the Philippines and the other is from France. They connect via Discord, a messaging app, Sawyer said, adding that he also has about 15 to 20 friends he met abroad and that they correspond on Instagram.
Anime, especially anime mascot characters; manga; and VTubers are hugely popular and ubiquitous, Sawyer said, which aligned with his interests as an illustration and animation artist. He described gas-station food as “amazing,” especially the pizza and chicken-and-rice specials. Hot caramel Thai tea lattes were “out of this world. I miss those so much.”
The experience “exceeded my expectations tenfold,” Sawyer wrote in the student newspaper, The Equinox.
“College,” he added, “is a fantastic way to make great connections, learn more about yourself, and discover other interests. Keene State gives you a structured path to success and helps you build a portfolio of experience that makes you a better candidate for job opportunities.”
“I’m more comfortable about a lot of things. I brought to Keene State nervousness; I will leave confident and prepared.”
Learn more about Study Away through the college’s Global Education Office.
