‘Infinite Value’: Will Speziale ’25 gains a vast, beneficial cultural education on campus and abroad

Will Speziale ’25 (Asian Studies; Anthropology) has a passion for archery that he was able to explore through a unique study abroad partnership at Japan’s Kanazawa University. 

“Archery in Japan has this rich history,” he said. “I knew that in order to enhance my education in this realm that I had to have the experience of studying in another country.” 

Through the University’s Study Abroad program, Speziale spent his junior year on the other side of the world immersing himself in a culture he greatly appreciates.  

Not only was he perfecting his skills with a bow and arrow as an archer, but he took enlightening classes relevant to his Anthropology and Asian Studies majors while perfecting his Japanese through everyday interactions with locals.  

“I was already studying Japanese, but being in a country where that language is predominantly spoken boosted my comprehension four times more,” he said. 

The experience of living in another country carried more weight beyond the critical lessons he learned in the classroom. 

“Every day, there was something new for me to learn,” he said. “Whether it was greeting people differently or hearing about a new pop culture reference, it made the experience all the more exciting.” 

 

Study abroad experience cements dedication to Asian Studies program 

For Speziale, living and studying in Japan was another step into familiarizing himself with Japanese culture through an exchange with natives.  

It began at New Paltz when he was a member of the University’s East-West Living Learning Community, where domestic students’ education in Chinese or Japanese languages is supported by immersion with roommates originally from those countries. 

“It was a wonderful opportunity to learn a little bit more about cultural differences on a one-to-one level, and also to make good connections,” he said.  

Speziale’s service to the Asian Studies program extends to a role as its student assistant, where he works to increase its visibility across campus along with Asian Studies Chair Akira Shimada.  

“Taking that step out into Asian Studies allowed me to apply my love for archery in a new way through higher education,” he said.  

While Speziale gravitated towards Asian Studies through his love of archery, he excelled in the program by remaining curious and open to learning about another culture, which defined his post-graduation outlook.  

“There is infinite value in allowing yourself to be molded into a perspective different from your own,” he said. “It opens you up to a wider array of career options, it gives you an opportunity to learn a different language and, perhaps most importantly, it makes you a more well-rounded person.” 

Students interested in learning more about study abroad at SUNY New Paltz can click here.