Momo Peters '27, Psychology

"I'm not sure what I want to do with my degree yet, but I know I want to spend more time abroad. There's still so much for me to learn."

Arriving at Bucknell was somewhat like coming to a different world for Philadelphia native Momo Peters '27. 

"Things closing before 9 p.m. and going to Walmart when barely anybody was there was really strange for me, coming from the city," he says. "And it was quiet. Like, really, really quiet."

It was an adjustment at first. But Lewisburg soon became the perfect launchpad for him to explore different cultures.

At Bucknell, Peters decided to add an East Asian studies minor to his psychology major. "I really wanted to be able to broaden my perspective of the world, because I've only seen Western-influenced stuff in high school," he says.

In the East Asian studies program, he explores Japanese and Chinese history and culture. Though it's not a requirement for the minor, he also studies Japanese. Combined with his psychology major, the minor gives him the skills to understand others.

"Everybody comes from a different culture and background, which impacts who they are and how they think," he says. When the opportunity arose to study abroad in Tokyo, Peters seized it. "I just figured, why not? Why wouldn't I go to Japan?" he says. "It was a big exploration for me. I wanted to know how other people thought, and what life was like on the other side of the world."

Beyond typical study abroad challenges, like navigating another culture and language, Peters worried about maintaining his training as a Division I track athlete. He didn't know if there would be any way to exercise in the city besides running. But he bonded with local track athletes over a shared love of the sport. They invited him to join their practices, and their coach welcomed him. The friendship helped the long jumper stay in shape while practicing his Japanese.

"When I first got there, I was scared because I knew what to say, but I didn't know how to go about saying it," he says. "That was the weird and difficult part. But eventually, as I got comfortable and was forced to speak in situations where people didn't understand English, I improved. Especially when I made Japanese friends," he says, "So, I walked away with a lot of Japanese, which I didn't expect in four months."

Another thing that opened up unlikely connections? His name. Momo means peach in Japanese, and is considered a feminine name. "It was funny for them to see it on a dude," Peters says. "And I thought it was hilarious to see people's reactions! My name has always been a little bit weird, but now I feel like I have a cool name, and I take ownership over it."

Back in Lewisburg, Peters is applying his new knowledge of the world to his life. "I'm still me, but I'm more disciplined, and I have a better perspective on the world outside the United States," he says.

The trip has inspired him to continue exploring East Asia. Peters returned to Tokyo in summer 2026 for an internship teaching English at the NIJIN Academy and is planning to pursue a master's degree at an international institution.

"I'm not sure what I want to do with my degree yet, but I know I want to spend more time abroad," he says. "There's still so much for me to learn."