The Ending of Japan (for now, at least)

It would be an understatement to say that this trip to Japan was anything short of life changing. Going from a first world country to another first world country, I did not expect there to be a lot of a difference. However, the whole experience was very new and yet similar at the same time. I found that after experiencing a country that values hospitality and obedience, I became a nicer and more accepting person. I realized how much of a difference kindness and patience can have on relationships and on society as a whole. The Japanese take the phrase “kill others with kindness” to whole new levels. Another way that I have changed is the fact that I am not afraid of the language barrier as much as I was before the trip. I am not sure if this is because of the Japanese people, but I have more confidence communicating with people who don’t know English.

Going into this trip, I had viewed this as a great way to familiarize myself with the Eastern values and ideals. However, I gained so much more from this trip to the extent that it has changed my academic and professional goals. Academically, I decided that I would try to learn another language here at Northeastern University because I realized that there are so many opportunities and things to learn abroad. Learning a language would be a great way to better understand a foreign country. Professionally, I have decided to try and obtain a job where I can get vacation time to go abroad. This experience has shown me how valuable and experience exploring the world is.

I have discovered many things about myself during this trip. The most surprising self-discovery that I made was the patience and composure I maintained while communicating with foreigners who did not understand English. Before this Dialogue, I found it hard to communicate past the language barrier. I did not know that I had the communication skills to ask for things like directions. With a lot of practice on the dialogue, I found that I wasn’t afraid to ask a stranger for help. Although, this may have also been because I knew no one would have rejected my plea for help in Japan.

My fear of language barrier was one of many fear that I had going into Japan. I would be lying if I said I navigated through all my fears and apprehensions through my own efforts. There wasn’t much navigating because Japan mitigated all my fears and apprehensions. The food was amazing and the people were really nice. There was no reason to be afraid because it was just so safe in Japan. In fact, the fears that I had here in America were also mitigated by Japan. Things like walking on the streets at night were not as scary anymore. Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world after all. Lastly, I had the help of students from Meiji University, who helped me with directions and communication.

Studying abroad has definitely impacted the way I view the world. This trip had really made me view the world as a puzzle. A huge puzzle with hundreds of thousands of pieces and each puzzle piece being unique. I have realized that there is so much to see out there past what I see in America. Right now I have only seen a modicum fraction of the entire world. I am nowhere near finishing the puzzle and I probably never will. However, I am surer now than ever that I want to try to fill the puzzle piece by piece.

To sum up the single greatest benefit of studying abroad, it would be that it changes you. It changes the way you think and who you are. If you want to be changed and see something that you haven’t ever before, go abroad. Explore the world and never look back.

My favorite experience in Japan would have to be the welcoming party that we had in Yamanaka, a small rural town, with the Meiji University students. It was my favorite experience because it was the start of a lifelong friendship that I would have with the Meiji Students. I was able to make friends with people that I would have never met had I not come to Japan. The relationships that I made with the Meiji students there are stronger than some of the relationships that I have here in America. There is not greater experience than having fun with people you love.

Here is my advice to future participants. If you are on the fence about going to Japan, don’t be because this experience is worth it no matter which way you look at it. Don’t be afraid, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. This trip is worth every penny and you will cherish it for the rest of your life. What are you waiting for? Come to Japan and have the time of your life!

If you haven’t got it already, Japan was amazing. It has inspired me to study abroad again in the future. I am actually considering studying in Japan for a longer period of time. After coming back from this Dialogue, I realized that I would definitely go back to Japan someday. Until then, “Sayonara!”