Psychology professor Dr. Brooke Spatta leads group during Maymester trip
Presbyterian College psychology professor Dr. Brooke Spatta recently led a group of four PC students to Osaka, Japan, to study at Kwansei Gakuin University, a partner university of the college.
Her course, Cross-Cultural Adolescent Psychology, focused on the similarities and differences of adolescent development across American and Japanese cultures, particularly in teenagers.
“Psychology applies everywhere, and their culture is very different in East Asia than it is here,” said Spatta. “So, it was an opportunity for us to compare and learn more about the lives of people outside of here who are students.”
When they were not in the classroom, the students took the opportunity to explore on their own, often drawing on their own experiences and observations to drive class discussions.
“For the first 15 minutes of class, we talked about what they saw,” Spatta said. “What did you do last night? What did you see? What was a moment where you felt embarrassed, or had fun?”
For Spatta, this experience truly exemplified the importance of getting students out of their comfort zones, especially in a country so different from their own.
“They all got to be a minority, and it’s interesting because Japan is a very homogenous society, so they felt very out of place,” she said. “It’s a good test of humility and adaptation and respect, learning how to be with humans just as humans and figure things out.”
The group spent time in several cities, including two days in Hiroshima, where they were able to see several of the World War II memorials, and were given the opportunity to hear from an atomic bomb survivor, which was especially impactful for both Spatta and the students.
“We went to the Peace Memorial Park, and it was very moving. Very sad, but also hopeful,” she said. “It was a good reminder of the atrocities that have happened in the past and showing how beauty can come out of something so terrible, because they’ve rebuilt.”
For the students, the program was not just an incredible educational experience, but also a chance to get to know their professors and peers on a personal level.
“I like to think that Dr. Spatta and I became closer on this trip,” said Erin Massey ‘25. “Throughout college, she was a professor in my eyes, and that was all. During this trip, she became a friend. She was someone I looked forward to seeing.”
The trip comprised students from all over the U.S., including two students from Wingate University in North Carolina, who became honorary PC students for those few weeks. By the end of the program, many of the students had become good friends.
“One of my best friends is actually from SMU, and I met her in Japan during the program,” said Ariana Nelson ‘28.
“I made meaningful connections with people I only knew for a month,” said Makayla Wilson, a Wingate University student who joined the group from PC. “I loved all of the professors and their efforts to make it a memorable experience.”
For Spatta, the most rewarding part of the program was the opportunity to make it happen.
“It was touch and go for a while,” she said. “I was doing everything I possibly could, and when we all got on that plane to go, I was like, ‘I didn’t let these kids down.’ They’re going to Japan.”
Her hard work paid off, and at the end of those five weeks, the students walked away from the experience with new friendships, new knowledge, and memories they’ll treasure forever.
