Choosing to study abroad has proven to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. The friends I've met, the places I've seen, the skills I've learned, and the memories I've made are experiences I will forever cherish. As my study abroad journey comes to an end, I’d like to reflect on some of my most memorable experiences and my progress toward personal goals, as well as offer some advice for students planning to study abroad.
Before delving into my experiences, I would like to provide an overview of my life this past year. I am in the year-long Economics program at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan, taking courses in Economics and Japanese language. A particularly interesting class I am currently taking is "Tea Ceremony and Historical Musical Instruments," where I learned how to make matcha and play traditional instruments like the biwa, shamisen, and koto! Outside academics, I participated in the Photography Club and the Aikido Club, both of which offered opportunities to meet new friends and explore new hobbies. I lived in a Keio University dormitory, which housed both domestic and international students. During the winter, I did a short internship, experiencing what it was like to work in Japan and improving my professional Japanese skills. In my free time, I often went mountain climbing, cafe hopping, or karaoke and izakaya outings with friends. Overall, each day was filled with activities and events, and time flew by.
Looking back on my study abroad experience, numerous unforgettable moments come to mind. One standout experience was attending the Waseda-Keio Baseball Game, a legendary rivalry in Japanese university sports. Along with other Keio students, I cheered for our team. The atmosphere was overwhelming, with people chanting slogans and singing the school anthem nonstop throughout the intense match. Such spirited events were rare at my home university, so this event undoubtedly left a lasting impression on me.
Another cherished memory was a summer getaway with dormitory friends to a beach house in Chiba. We brought drinks at the convenience store and sat on the pier, admiring the sunset. We stayed at the beach overnight, stargazing and watching the sunrise above the sea. We drank smoothies, built Mt. Fuji out of sand, and swam in the ocean. These moments were highlights of my time in Japan and memories I will forever cherish.
While my study abroad experience was filled with amazing experiences, there were also many challenges. Upon first arriving in Japan, I did not know many people and the feeling of being alone in a big city was daunting. Even as the year progressed and I adjusted to the new lifestyle, it was still hard to find friends that I felt comfortable with, and the feeling of loneliness lingered. Especially in a fast-moving city like Tokyo, where you see thousands of faces every day but still struggle to find a sense of belonging, the feeling of being out of place is exemplified. However, I believe that in adjusting to this challenge over time, I not only learned to find comfort in being alone, but I also established meaningful friendships that I am confident will last even after returning to our respective countries. Obstacles are inevitable when going to an unfamiliar place, but it is important to try to adjust and overcome the challenges as much as possible.
I have been to Japan multiple times prior, thus there were not many things that struck me as a culture shock. However, one aspect that surprised me was the grading and administrative system of Japanese universities. First, grades are not released until much later, so it was difficult to judge personal progress and figure out how much improvement was needed. Second, course registration was very different. In comparison to UC San Diego’s system in which you can only register for four classes, you can register for as many classes as desired. You are then entered into a lottery system and once your seat is confirmed, there is a trial period for students to try out their classes, allowing them to have more insights into the class before committing to it. Such a system took me some time to get used to, but it was interesting to experience such a different way of class enrollment.
Before coming to Tokyo, I set a goal to utilize this opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and become more independent. In an effort towards this goal, I went on a solo trip for the first time in my life, traveling through Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Wakayama, and Mie for ten days. Prior to this, I always traveled either with family or friends, thus going to a new place knowing that I only had myself to rely on felt like venturing into the unknown. As I visited various attractions, chatted with fellow travelers, and had small adventures here and there, I overcame the anxiety I had about solo traveling and began to realize the fun of having the freedom to do what I wanted. This journey not only broadened my horizons, but also created an environment that forced me to become more independent and courageous. I embarked on a few more solo trips afterward, and through these opportunities for self-development, I learned to be less afraid to ask for help when needed, became better at problem-solving and adjusting to sudden obstacles, and grew a stronger mentality regarding being alone. Reflecting back, I believe I have taken a big step forward in the progression toward the goal I set for myself and grew as an individual.
Lastly, I would like to offer some advice for students considering studying abroad. First, I would recommend studying abroad for one full year. To me, one year was the perfect amount of time to fully explore various regions of Japan, establish strong friendships, and get used to the lifestyle, while also having enough time to focus on school work. Second, I would recommend living in an international dorm that facilitates interactions among residents. Most of the friends I have are people I have met and gotten close to in the common areas of my dorm. Furthermore, I was able to meet people from various cultural backgrounds, allowing me to establish connections all over the world. Now, when I visit Germany, the Philippines, or Taiwan, I have friends to meet up and hang out with! Third, it is good to familiarize yourself with the logistics and administrative things before going to a new country, such as insurance policies, move-in and move-out procedures, and university enrollment details. The period upon arrival is often hectic with unpacking, buying furniture, and meeting new people, thus being familiar with administrative procedures beforehand can minimize a lot of stress. Lastly, I would recommend networking with peers who are also in the same program before going abroad. The UCEAP Program had a Discord channel for students going to Keio University, and we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves, ask questions, and establish a support network before even coming to Japan. I think this is a big benefit that other universities don’t have, so I would recommend taking advantage of the UCEAP network.
As I approach the final month of my study abroad, I look forward to embracing every remaining moment and experiencing everything there is left to do, from going to fireworks festivals to exploring new destinations with friends. My study abroad experience has also solidified my goal to have a career in an international setting where I can work with people of various backgrounds. This year was truly a transformative experience that has led to self-growth, happiness, and invaluable discovery.
