Beyond the Classroom in Japan: Film, History, and Unexpected Lessons by Nhaya Henley

What began as a traditional classroom experience quickly evolved into something far greater for Nhaya, a UW Bothell student who spent time studying abroad across Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Osaka, Japan.

Centered around film, history, and memory, her coursework came alive through visits to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Osaka International Peace Center, where personal artifacts and first-hand testimonies made history deeply human. Watching and discussing films while physically present in Japan further deepened her understanding of how storytelling shapes national identity and memory.

Beyond academics, everyday moments like bullet train rides, bustling city streets, and unexpected detours proved just as transformative. Nhaya returned home with a richer understanding of Japanese culture and a new perspective on what it means to learn outside the classroom.

Visit our website to learn more about Global Initiatives, and see how UW Bothell students are gaining transformative experiences around the world.