Study Abroad

 Coming to Japan

     In the fall semester of 2023, I chose to study abroad at Meiji Gakuin University in Yokohama Japan where I underwent an intensive study in Japanese language and culture. During this time, I was able to complete many long standing goals of mine as well as form new ones as my time abroad progressed. I encountered significant cultural and social differences between America and Japan, many of which were challenging to adapt to and overcome. These challenges not only led me to form countless memorable experiences, but also undergo developments in myself both personally and academically. Through these new experiences, challenges, and connections, I was able to understand much more about myself, friends and the amazing country of Japan.

Shift in Goals

     Before going to Japan I had 2 main goals, improve my Japanese to a conversational level and immerse myself in the culture by engaging with and learning from local people. Since returning from Japan, my learning goals have since evolved to include much more specific and challenging goals.
 
     During my time abroad I gained a much deeper understanding of the culture and significantly improved my language skills, however I recognize that there is always room for growth and the need to set new goals. With my increased proficiency in Japanese and greater cultural awareness, I now aim to further refine my language skills, with the intention of eventually reaching near-native fluency. This will enable me to live and work in Japan comfortably while contributing to society on a more global scale. One of my specific aspirations is to translate the works of emerging Japanese authors, helping bring their stories to audiences outside of Japan. Additionally, I also hope to improve the inclusivity and quality of life for outsiders living in Japan, as well as the presence and recognition of LGBTQ+ groups in Japan, helping create a smoother transition to life abroad than the one I experienced. 

Social & Cultural Differences
 
      One of the biggest differences I noticed while studying and living in Japan was how people carry themselves in society. In America, we often value individuality and embrace each other's differences. However, in Japan, there's a greater emphasis on unity and conformity. This vast difference in society posed challenging for me to adjust to when first moving to Japan. 
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     Because America values individuality over conformity, people are often encouraged to express themselves freely. One of the most obvious examples that personally effected me, is the presence and visibility of LGBTQ+ groups within Japanese society compared to America. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I deeply value the support and acceptance I receive from my group and I feel I am able to express myself freely most places. In Japan, however, conformity is more important than standing out. I found that during my time in Japan LGBTQ+ groups were almost non-existent or just extremely difficult to find, likely because many individuals in the community feel pressured to fit into Japan's societal norms. Rather than standing out, they choose to blend in. Without the support group I was used to, I found it harder to find a sense of belonging in Japan, it almost felt like the individuality that was appreciated in America was almost too much for Japanese society. This loss of identity and support when moving to Japan made adjusting difficult, making my first couple weeks in Japan somewhat lonely. 
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     However,  while I did miss my support group, America’s emphasis on individuality is not entirely good. While I admire how America encourages differences, it wasn't until after living in Japan for an extended period of time that I came to realize its downsides as well. In America, the focus on individuality can sometimes make people more self-centered and outspoken, which can be problematic when collective unity is needed to make progress. My life in Japan under the societal emphasis of unity, at times felt more calm and relaxing. I noticed that overall, my well-being seemed higher. I experienced less stress under Japanese society, finding it almost easy to blend into the background, not having that constant pressure to perform for the sake of others or the constant worry about what is going on around me. I also no longer had to worry about whether I could do something alone and still be safe. No matter were I went I always felt a sense of safety within Japanese Society, enabling me to be more open to explore and experience more where I normally would be more hesitant in America. 

Memorable Experiences & Overcoming Challenges
 
     During my time abroad, I had many memorable experiences that shaped both my time in Japan and the person I’ve become following the program. Funny enough, some of the best memories came from moments when I was completely lost. It being my first time outside the U.S., there was a lot I didn’t know or understand about foreign countries. One of the most notable being the public transportation system. 
 
     Before Japan, I’d never used public trains, and I had no idea how they worked, often leading to times were I felt confused, turned around, or delayed because of it. It was at these moments however, that ended up being some of my most memorable. We went through all the ups and downs of traveling in a foreign country together, and it was during those setbacks that I really bonded with everyone in my group. We laughed over our mistakes and I even discovered my favorite Japanese dish, Tsukemen, after stumbling across a shop after getting off at the wrong station, but deciding to explore anyways. Through those experiences, I learned that it is not only important it is to be patient with others during these times, but to also be patient with ourselves when adjusting to new lifestyles or environments and coming to terms with realizing that not everything will go as you imagined or hoped, and that's okay. 
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     Another memorable experience that stood out to me was just how incredibly kind people in Japan were. From the very beginning of my program, classmates and sharehouse mates invited me to events. Even though they didn’t know me and my Japanese was pretty basic at the time, they went out of their way to make me feel welcome. I got to explore local shrines and towns with Japanese classmates, and experience Japanese BBQ events that my sharehouse mates invited me too. During these outings I learned much about their culture and hometowns, all while they were genuinely curious about mine. That immediate warmth and kindness and exchange of culture made my transition to life in Japan so much easier than what I imagine it to have been without them. 

Change in Self-perception & Relationship to Society
 
    My experiences abroad have definitely shaped not only others' perception of me, but also my own self view. Before living in Japan, I believe that others would’ve often described me as a super serious person, whether I was at work or at school. I often was so serious about my work that I seemed to never chill out or let go. I spent the majority of my time either studying or at work. With no one else in my life supporting my goals I knew that I had to work hard to make everything possible by myself. I wanted to ensure that my grades and my future were supported as much as possible. However, after returning, many of my peers have said that my overall personality is a lot more relaxed, open, and most noticeably, calm. I personally could also agree, as since my return my inner view of myself has felt more well balanced.
 
    Traveling outside of my hometown showed me that there is so much more to be passionate and serious about outside of work and the classroom. There’s a whole world full of kind people, all of which have a complex culture and life just as much as mine. I realized that there are more serious matters and challenges out there that my serious dedication can better serve outside of the classroom. Japan's calm atmosphere and environment also helped me to let go a lot. While living in America I often find myself stressed about countless things like “am I being safe and aware of my surroundings right now” and “will I have enough emergency funds if something happens”. Such worries and stresses are something that I believed I was going to carry with me throughout my whole life, but after living in Japan and such worries as this faded, I realized that there are many more opportunities out there for me to have the life that I want. It also made me realize that these problems, which many other Americas face as well, can be helped and are capable of change.
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This realization has inspired me to advocate for the importance of change in America, as well as the value of world travel and gaining new perspectives. 

Enrichment of General Academics Following my Return
 
Overall, my study abroad experience deeply enriched both my academic and personal life. Since returning to my Japanese classes, I feel a much stronger grasp of the material, both linguistically and culturally. Before going to Japan, we would discuss specific aspects of Japanese culture in class, and I would do my best to imagine what they were really like. Now, having experienced them firsthand, I no longer have to imagine but can simply recall those moments when they come up in discussion.
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It’s also had a profound impact on my non-academic life by broadening my worldview. Before my semester at Meiji Gakuin, I had never traveled outside the U.S. and had limited exposure to other cultures in my hometown. Now, after living abroad for an extended period, I realize just how many perspectives there are to discover beyond my own. 

In Conclusion

My study abroad experience at Meiji Gakuin University in Japan has had a transformative impact on both my academic and personal life. It allowed me to achieve long-standing goals while creating new ones, as well as deepening my understanding of Japanese language, culture, and society. The challenges I faced helped me grow, shaping my self-perception and shifting how I approach life. I’ve gained not only linguistic and cultural proficiency, but also a broader perspective of the world and global connections. This experience has inspired me to continue pursuing personal growth, advocate for positive change, and remain open to the countless opportunities that exist beyond my familiar surroundings.