This summer Kaylee spent eight weeks in Osaka, Japan completing a language intensive program through CET Academic Programs. Within their first week of arriving, Kaylee completed the language pledge ceremony and spoke only Japanese for the duration of the program.

Living in a Japanese-style sharehouse in residential Osaka (about a thirty minute train ride from the city), Kaylee commuted daily by local train to Osaka Gakuin University-- a school famous for economics research. Classes were rigorous and fast paced, lasting four hours a day, sometimes longer depending on which project students were assigned. Kaylee interviewed local small business owners and conducted research on monopolies and economic and entrepreneurial opportunity within Osaka, and compared that with research on small businesses' success and struggles in the United States. In July, Kaylee gave an hour long presentation at Osaka Gakuin University's summer open house on their findings. 

Outside of the classroom, Kaylee visited various locations around the Kansai area such as Awaji Island where they took a traditional udon-making class and learned about the agricultural exports of the local economy. Kaylee also visited numerous world heritage sites like Himeji Castle and Kyoto's ancient temples in the city of Uji.