Noah Rich, Reflections

As an undergraduate student who had previously studied abroad in Spain during high school, I had a strong interest in fostering relationships with students from overseas at Ohio University. In the fall semester of my sophomore year, our mod on South Green was shared with members from the Chubu University study abroad group. Despite anticipating that the Spanish speaking students at OU would be my greatest international friends, the Chubu students ending up becoming my longest and strongest lasting relationships. I had several friends over to my house for Thanksgiving break so they wouldn't have to be along during the holidays, and ended up visiting them years down the line in Aichi at Chubu. These bonds ended up inspiring me to work in the JET Program and later get a job at Chubu University myself. The students I met at Ohio University from Chubu University are still my friends to this day and I treasure our memories together even into adulthood. They have left an indelible mark on my life and I hope the relationship between Ohio and Chubu can do the same for others.