Although my program only lasted 4 months, I feel like I have become a very different person since first arriving in Japan. Besides growing as an independent researcher, I learned a lot from Japanese customs and professionalism. Perhaps most apparent was schedule punctuality; in the lab and even among friends, meeting times were strongly upheld, and arriving early was an expectation. With time and effort, I finally got rid of my “Berkeley time” habit of arriving late to everything. Additionally, some labs had carpet floors and required shoes to be taken off before entering. Like many homes and restaurants in Japan, lab spaces can be kept to the same standard of cleanliness. Over time, I grew to appreciate these customs and the consideration behind each one in improving a collective living style. Studying abroad also taught me to build resilience, both in the lab and in daily life. I learned to take criticism from others without taking it too personally, whether it was a poorly designed presentation slide or biking on the wrong side of the road. While embarrassing and sometimes isolating after a day full of mistakes, I learned to see every experience as a chance to learn about my surroundings and improve. Unlike living in the US, I had to move on quickly as each day came with new unfamiliar challenges. Over time, I learned to take mistakes with a stronger resolve, and on a personal level, I find this one of the most rewarding aspects of my time abroad. Being a part of my lab and the FrontierLab program has expanded my cultural and academic awareness beyond just the US. While I had not previously considered the option, I now see myself returning to Japan or studying abroad for graduate school. There can be so many personal and societal takeaways beyond just academics from pursuing a research program abroad. I believe that with an open mind, these experiences can be beyond life-changing.
Although my program in Japan lasted only four months, it transformed me as both a researcher and a person. In the lab, I grew more independent, learned to accept criticism constructively, and developed resilience through daily challenges. Culturally, I absorbed Japanese customs of punctuality, cleanliness, and collective consideration—habits that reshaped how I approach both work and life. Together, these lessons expanded my academic and cultural awareness beyond the US and inspired me to consider returning to Japan or studying abroad for graduate school.