Office of Study Abroad

Profile: Matthew Chu '27

Major/minor: Biochemistry, Chemical Biology

Study abroad program: Japanese Language and Culture in Osaka (CET), Fall 2025

Reason you chose this program: I chose this program because I wanted to experience Japanese culture and travel in Japan. I also wanted to live in a smaller city than Tokyo, so I chose Osaka.

Favorite classes: My favorite class was my Advanced Japanese Projects class where I was able to come up with two half-semester long projects. I was able to interview and talk with many Japanese locals which was really fun.

How did you incorporate your Brandeis areas of study into your study abroad experience? I connected with some of the other study abroad students through my major. However, there was also the opportunity to connect to Japanese professors at universities around the area if I wanted to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship, allowing me to conduct research in Japan for one year.

Housing situation: I lived in a share house with 3 Japanese students and 2 study abroad students.

What were some parts of your identity that you thought about while considering study abroad? I think studying abroad made me stop and think about what I prioritize in life.

Favorite memory: Eating and doing karaoke with friends!

Greatest challenge: My greatest challenge was adapting to the way Japanese people live and talk. Besides the language barrier, the conversations they have are different than American ones, so I had to adjust.

Did you apply for any scholarships? Which ones, and how did they impact your time abroad? I received a $1000 scholarship from CET, and it really helped financially as $1000 can go a long way in Japan.

What do you know now that you didn't know before? I know the greatness of the bullet train.

Fact about Japan that you think people would be surprised to learn: There's a lot of unspoken Japanese "rules" in society.