Help J'Khayla Study abroad in Japan this winter!

Hello! My name is J'Khayla Johnson, and I am a graduating senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Information Science with minors in Digital Studies, African American Studies, and Video Game Design. I’m raising funds to help cover the costs of my upcoming CIEE study-abroad trip to Japan this winter.

Studying abroad in Japan has been a lifelong dream of mine—not only because of the country's rich culture but also due to its cutting-edge technological advancements. As a Black woman in STEM, I have developed a deep passion for human-computer interaction and aspire to one day own my own video game studio.

Throughout my time at UW, I have taken numerous courses in video game design and human-computer interaction and have even created a few small games of my own! Japan’s world-renowned video game industry, alongside its innovative use of technology to improve daily life, makes this an invaluable opportunity for me to immerse myself in its technological culture. For example, there is a Nintendo museum in Kyoto that shows the history of Nintendo as a gaming company and how they developed their games.

Besides immersing myself in the technological culture, my CIEE program also includes cultural immersion activities. I will tour Asakusa (the only neighborhood in Tokyo where you can see pre-World War II houses and markets), attend a kabuki performance, visit Sensoji Temple, and go to Hakone to visit the Japanese mountains.

The cost of the trip is $4,150, plus the price of the flight. I’m reaching out for support because this trip could open doors that I never thought possible, and every single donation—no matter the amount—would mean the world to me. Please consider helping me make this dream a reality.

Thank you so much for supporting an aspiring Black video game designer!