There’s so much of the world to be discovered and Highline College student Rebekah Maloney is taking every opportunity she can to explore it.

“I won’t put all my trust into social media to decide what a country is like. I want to let myself have the experience on my own,” she admits.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on November 17, 2025, Highline College and Tenri University, located in Japan’s culturally rich Nara region, established a framework for educational exchange and collaboration.

Under the partnership, Tenri University students can study at Highline for up to two quarters and Highline students can participate in the university’s two-week Summer Japanese Language Course.

Maloney first heard about the program while working on campus as a student employee and contacted Director of International Student Programs, Jesse Aspree, for more information. Having traveled internationally since childhood, she understood the value of experiencing new places and cultures firsthand.

“I’ve always wanted to study abroad, even for a short trip,” Maloney said. “So I hopped on the idea immediately after finding out.”

From July 6 through July 21, 2026, Maloney, along with three other Highline students traveled to Tenri University to begin their study abroad journey. 

Language instruction was a central part of the program, with classes designed to accommodate students at different levels of Japanese proficiency.

Maloney initially enrolled in a beginner-level class, drawing on her previous experience studying Japanese. Her interest in the language officially began at age 12, when she started learning alongside her brother. She continued her studies through two years of formal Japanese classes in high school before putting them on hold to focus on other academic commitments.

Now, re-entering formal classes through the short program with Tenri, she sought a greater challenge. However, feeling too intimidated by an intermediate level, she accepted the opportunity to transfer to another beginner class. The transition proved beneficial, as she found the second instructor's emphasis on speaking practice better aligned with her learning style.

Her daily routine balanced independence with community. Mornings began with breakfast around 7 a.m., followed by language classes and instructor-led lessons.

After class, students often participated in club activities that incorporated a cultural element tied to Japan. Some of the activities included archery, karate, tea ceremony, and traditional court music.

Once students were done learning for the day, they had free time to explore, take the train to visit new locations, and enjoy the surrounding area. However, they were expected to return to their dorms by 10 p.m. to maintain a comfortable and consistent daily routine.

Among the many memories she made here, her favorite was the closing ceremony and farewell party, where students from different countries shared their cultures through singing, dancing and other performances. Maloney chose a different approach. She performed a short skit entirely in Japanese, using the opportunity to demonstrate what she had learned.

“It was so lively and bittersweet as we all became so close over the program despite it being only two weeks,” she said.

From this experience, Maloney didn't just create heartfelt memories that she’ll cherish for a lifetime. Although she’s traveled to Japan twice before for personal trips, her most recent visit held special significance as part of her language studies. She found new friends across the globe, navigated unfamiliar surroundings and strengthened her knowledge of the Japanese language and culture.

Since returning home, Maloney has continued nurturing her childhood passion for Japanese by practicing regularly with the friends she met in Japan. She also hopes to continue traveling internationally for as long as she can.

“I learned a lot from the trip,” Maloney said. “Not only how to navigate life outside of my norm here in Seattle, but also learning social skills with people who may not understand my language as fluently as people I meet day to day in America.”

Learn more about the Summer Japanese Language Program by contacting  Jesse Aspree, director of
International Student Programs.