Japan: The End
A lot has happened over the course of these past five weeks which can make way for change. Personally, I think changed by being more confident in trying new things. Being abroad is a life time experience, and for me personally, who knows when the next time I’ll visit Japan, let alone get to be in foreign country for this duration.
Although I came to Japan wanting to learn about its culture and the language, the mechanical engineer in me couldn’t help to be amazed at some of products or technologies that Japan has to offer. Professionally, my goals to pursue the consumer products industry has not changed; however, Japan has really opened my eyes to see the intricated detail and care that goes into some of its products.
I realized when I was leaving Japan, that I’ll probably never be as good in Japanese as I am at this moment. It’s was an eye opening realization to know that I was able to get by with the Japanese that I know. Although not fluent, I am able to carry conversations, ask for directions, etc.
Before coming abroad, I was nervous about staying in a foreign country for a long time period. However, it’s crazy to me how fast these past five weeks went by. Although I did get a bit homesick, and miss good pizza, I’m getting a bit sad about leaving Japan. Maybe the fact that I need to return back to reality and that there’s mundane things to be completed when I come back to Boston. I will miss the endless adventures that Japan has to offer. Five weeks definitely did not feel that long at all!
Being abroad in Japan made me realize that I take space for granted. With a country the size of California, and exceeds the population of California, space is used very wisely in which many things can feel cramped (rooms, restroom stalls, etc.). Japan is also conservative and conscious of the resources it uses. Toilets often have the option for big and little flushes. Bathrooms rarely have paper towels, where many people just carry their own hand towel. Trash is sorted into various categories. With these things, I think I’m a little more conscious of the resources that I use.
The single greatest benefit of studying abroad would be the endless opportunities being in a foreign place has to offer. Whether it be just gaining new experiences through exploration, or living in a different lifestyle, there are opportunities everywhere.
My favorite experience during this dialogue is the homestay. The homestay probably offered the most authentic experience of living the Japanese lifestyle. My host family was super sweet and welcoming, and their house was tiny, but cozy. It was the first time in Japan in about three weeks to have eaten a homecooked meal. Ever since coming to Japan, most meals were either eaten at restaurants or bought from the convenience store. Having a homecooked meal was satisfying.
For anyone thinking about participating in this dialogue: beware of the mosquitoes if you know you are prone to mosquito bites and invest in a bug spray when you come to Japan. Throughout these past five weeks, I have gotten over 25 bites… Even with some preventative measures, I still got bit (which sucks because they get super itchy). Other than that, another advice would be to pack light coming into Japan. It’s kind of inevitable to buy souvenirs when you’re abroad, and you just end up with so much more stuff than when you started.
Given this experience, I would love to study abroad again if I were given the chance. Probably not in the near future, since I do miss America a bit, but going abroad to somewhere in Europe sounds nice since I’ve never been to Europe. Being abroad and experiencing unfamiliar cultures offers so many opportunities to grow oneself and to see different perspectives of life. With that, thanks Japan for the wonderful past five weeks!
