For Keuka College senior Kimberly Rose Proudman, the opportunity to study in Japan was more than an academic adventure—it was a longtime dream realized through the College’s unique Field Period® program.
Kimberly Rose’s January experience in Kyoto, made possible with support from the College’s Judith Oliver Brown Memorial Scholarship, not only broadened her artistic sensibilities but also reinforced her passion for cultural exploration and personal growth.
“I always wanted to study in Japan. This experience gave me the chance.”
A One-of-a-Kind Educational Experience
It was a chance the Art & Design major didn’t have earlier in her college career. Kimberly Rose originally enrolled at Medaille University, near her home in the Buffalo area. But when that institution was forced to close its doors in 2023, she became one of many students who transferred to Keuka College.
The College’s focus on experiential learning and culturally enriching Field Period opportunities opened the door for Kimberly Rose to study-abroad opportunities.
The Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine in Yamanashi, Japan, was one of Kimberly Rose's must-see destinations, thanks to a depiction of it on a postcard she has had since she was a child.
With guidance from Division of Humanities & Fine Arts Program Manager Teresa Deacon, Kimberly Rose applied for the experience through the CIEE College Study Abroad program.
“I’ve known Kimberly Rose for a year and a half and have been blown away by how sophisticated and passionate she was about her art,” said Associate Professor of Art Melissa Newcomb, Kimberly Rose’s advisor.
“Her lifelong dream has been to travel and experience other cultures, specifically Japan. This opportunity has been life changing for her.”
Kimberly Rose spent four weeks in Kyoto, where she studied art with more than 100 other students from around the world. She explored the rich artistic heritage of Japan, learning techniques in manga and animation while also discovering the intricacies of comic book creation dating back to the 1800s.
“We studied comic book making, film, and the traditional arts,” she explained, adding that it was interesting to learn the deep history behind modern animation. “I wanted the course to go on for a whole semester.”
Her time in Kyoto wasn’t limited to the classroom. The program included cultural excursions to iconic locations such as Mount Fuji, Arashiyama, and Nara, famous for its freely roaming deer. On her own, she ventured to Osaka and other surrounding areas, seeking to absorb as much of the country as possible.
Going Beyond the Classroom
Eager to squeeze every drop of experience out of her visit, Kimberly Rose extended her stay by a week for a solo journey to Yamanashi Prefecture, an eight-hour trip from Kyoto. She settled in a small village called Oshino, where she experienced rural Japanese life and sought to connect her travels to a cherished family heirloom: a postcard she’s kept since childhood that depicts a shrine in Yamanashi.
Kimberly Rose shows off the postcard that helped stimulate her interest in Japan.
“I always wanted to see the shrine,” she said, adding that she had to do quite a bit of research, as the postcard included only a graphic illustration of the shrine, the town name, and a poem that she’s held close to her heart for years. She even has a tattoo combining her artwork and the poem’s message: “In this time of beautiful spring days.”
Despite not speaking Japanese fluently, Kimberly Rose found ways to navigate the country, leaning on her ability to read certain characters, as well as the kindness of strangers.
A Transformative Field Period
Kimberly Rose said the journey strengthened her determination to continue pursuing education and art.
“I always like learning, and I’ve realized that I’m very stubborn—I want to get my education, no matter what,” she said. “I knew that I wanted to do this, so I was able to go do it in the end. That was the takeaway for me.”
Through sketchbooks, paintings, and personal reflections, Kimberly Rose documented her experience and plans to showcase her work at the annual Keuka College Expo in May.
“It was definitely a special education,” she said. “I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned and created.”
