Japan is a captivating and fascinating place for study abroad. The country is a dichotomy of worlds—from the serenity of bamboo forests and teahouses to its impact on the frontier of new technologies. The island nation of Japan features dense cities, imperial palaces, shrines, and mountainous national parks. Shinkansen, or high-speed bullet trains, connect Japan's main islands, creating a link between subtropical beaches, skiing meccas, and Tokyo, the nation's capital.
Studying abroad in Tokyo was everything I dreamed of but I came to realize how easy it is to overlook the details that make life worth living, especially in a city filled to the brim. Once in a while, I took a trip outside of Tokyo where I could hear my own thoughts and connect with nature. In the countryside, with the laughter of children and the soft smiles and gentle voices of the elders, I found peace.
Roads smaller than a bike lane, business attire to attend classes, and dining hall food cheaper than the raw ingredients—even after eight years of studying the country and its language, there were still things that surprised me when I studied abroad in Japan.
My study abroad experience broadened my horizons, strengthened my adaptability to Japanese culture, and fortified my pursuit of academic and professional excellence abroad.
The most valuable skill I learned from interning at Shizenkan is the importance of being open-minded. Retaining a sense of open-mindedness communicates humility, and can lead one to a treasure box of opportunities.
If I hadn't gone to Japan, I would have stayed in my bubble at home. Pushing myself into challenging situations stimulated my curiosity and desire to learn. My expanded comfort zone allowed me to get to know international students and also become close friends with Japanese students, whom I still talk with today. My eagerness to experience all I could in Japan hasn't faded on my return to America either, it has grown into an appreciation of different backgrounds and perspectives.
I feel really lucky to have completed a study abroad experience at International Christian University (ICU). I'm very grateful to the UCEAP Tokyo team for doing their best to make our experience as amazing as possible. I'm very lucky to have had the opportunity to connect with the community as much as I did. Even though I was only at ICU for half a year, it definitely made my experience 10 times more meaningful.
Thanks to my three UCEAP study abroad experiences, I realize the value of multiculturalism. While each person will take away different things from their study abroad experience, everyone gains something culturally from their time abroad, and the gift of experiencing another culture is something that we carry through generations.