Evan Ludington
Evan Ludington (he/him) - Stanford in Kyoto
Major: History
Minor: Earth Systems
College year while abroad: Sophomore
Contact
Email Evan or schedule an appointment
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in Kyoto?
I knew that I wanted to study abroad as soon as I got to college. I’d always found traveling kind of stressful and tiring, and I liked the idea of spending a full 10 weeks (plus summer internship!) in order to really get to know a new place. I had taken Japanese a bit in high school, and had a passing interest in Japanese history and zen philosophy. So when I saw Kyoto was an option, I knew I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to study at such a historically significant and beautiful city.
What were your expectations before you went and how did those change once you arrived in Kyoto?
Before I got to Japan, people had told me that Japanese culture was not as outgoing as America’s. But when I got to Kyoto, I found most people incredibly generous and patient. I had random conversations at countryside train stations, or waiting for concerts to start. There were store clerks who took special care to remember our orders. A priest invited me to sit down for coffee once when I asked for directions on a hike. If you approach people openly and humbly, you’ll almost always be treated with warmth back.
What were some of the academic benefits from studying abroad in Kyoto?
Virtually all of the classes at Kyoto are relevant to your life there and feature field trips to interesting places around Kyoto. It’s a very direct experience to learn about a specific religious tradition, for example, and then later that afternoon see where it’s been embodied for several hundred years. In particular, I recommend Dr. Hugh’s 1-unit seminar “News Shaping Japan Today” to everyone, whether you consider yourself tuned into current events or not, because it’s a great way to get caught up with contemporary Japan.
What did you learn about yourself while you were studying abroad?
How much I love mundane, daily life activities. While I thoroughly enjoyed all the World Heritage Sites and day trips, many of my favorite memories from Kyoto are of little things—making friends with locals on hiking trails, discovering new ingredients at the grocery store, sitting out by the banks of Kamogawa with conbini ice cream.
What was the most challenging experience you encountered while you were abroad and what did you learn from it?
I felt pulled in so many directions by all the things to do. Sometimes I wanted to get to know my lovely cohort better, others I’d rather take a train up Lake Biwa for a solo adventure. Sometimes I just needed to make pasta and go to bed early, even if I was worried about “wasting my time.” But these are all critical parts of getting immersed into a new place. It’s important to really consider what you personally want to get out of your time abroad, and to be patient but assertive with yourself to make those experiences happen.
What was the biggest cultural adjustment you had to make?
Learning to sort the garbage in Japan is an adventure. During orientation we received instructions in the form of one of the densest flowcharts I have ever seen. I spent a lot of time fretting over whether my shampoo bottle was a pet-bottle or regular plastic, or where a mixed-medium item should go. In reality, it’s not that hard once you get the hang of it.
What was your favorite part of your everyday life in Kyoto?
I loved meandering around on walks or runs just to see what I could find on the sidestreets. Kyoto has pretty loose zoning, so many of its blocks are an eclectic mix of a few houses, a temple or shrine, a cafe, more houses, a convenience store, and then a plot of rice growing or something. At one point I was on my way to a Yakiniku restaurant and stumbled upon Oda Nobunaga, one of the three great unifiers of Japan’s, mausoleum. You never know what you’re going to find.
What was the most memorable experience you had while you were in Kyoto?
The first thing I did in Kyoto, before unpacking my suitcase or buying toilet paper, was hike all of Fushimi Inari Shrine with some CASK members helping us move in and a couple of people on my floor. The last week of the program, that original group went back to Fushimi Inari to do it again. The city at night from the summit was unforgettable, and it was a lovely full circle moment at one of Kyoto’s most famous and unique shrines. We closed out the night at my favorite parfait cafe.
What 5 words would you use to describe your experience?
Inspiring, peaceful, dynamic, oyakodon, trains.
What was your favorite food or music?
I know it’s sacrilegious, but I’ve never been a huge ramen fan. Tsukemen (dipping ramen), however, was a game-changer. As for music, the indie rock scene is alive and well in Japan! I recommend a picture of her or Jyocho.
What was the most valuable item you took with you on the program?
A small backpack or crossbody, by far. A lot of times when you’re out and about you’ll have too much to carry in your pockets, but won’t want to lug around a whole school backpack.