In 2016, after completing what was my high school experience and graduating with my small class of only 40 students, I sat down on my couch and let out a long sigh of relief. I thought from that moment on, I would be able to relax through I quiet summer, preparing myself for the next chapter in my life - college. At that time, I thought I wanted to go into the field of writing, perhaps journalism or even writing novels. Little did I know, however, the direction I wanted to take my life would change drastically.
While I sat on that couch, my father walked up to me and asked me one question: “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?” I didn’t think much of it at the time, as I didn’t have much of a desire to travel in general. But, for some reason one place immediately popped into my head, that being Japan. And just like that, I was put on a plane and flying to Japan.
I wasn’t sure what to expect of Japan prior to actually being there, but the limited time I spent there was enough to convince me. I knew, based purely off the relatively small number of days I spent wandering the streets of Tokyo, I wanted to live and spend my life in this country. So, on my last day in Japan, I asked a man I met what would be a good way to allow me to spend several years of my life in Japan. He told me I should look into the career of teaching English. And so, when I returned home, I told my father my new path in life would be centered around getting everything I need to teach in Japan. That’s what has led me to going abroad. I want to experience more of Japan, and immerse myself in the culture. Ideally I want to take courses and study things related to teaching English, as well as hopefully finding opportunities to actually help teach English to students while I’m there. The final reason I am excited to go abroad is to further learning the Japanese language. I’ve spent the last 2.5 years learning, but I know I have much, MUCH more to learn. And I am happy I will be able to do so.

I am currently living and studying in Japan. This is, in my opinion, by far the best way to learn a language, but particularly Japanese. For this reason I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to be able to do so.
Everyday is a learning experience. My time in the classroom learning Japanese is invaluable, without a doubt, but the real learning comes from everyday interactions with various people. In fact, I would say both my time in the classroom and outside of the classroom work in tandem together. My classes give me the vocabulary and grammar necessary to form and speak sentences, but my interactions with Japanese people outside of the classroom gives me an unfiltered, unbiased review of my learning in actual conversation, where I learn the proper tone and speed of speaking to sound natural.
A memorable example of this was during a trip to Okayama Korakuen, where I found myself speaking with a caretaker of the gardens. We spoke for a while about the history of the gardens, of which I learned a lot from him. However, more than the history of the gardens, I learned much about actually speaking Japanese. He, like every other Japanese person I’ve spoken with, politely corrected me when I said something wrong, or if there was simply a better way of saying it. There are many more examples of small yet significant instances of me learning through everyday actions. And honestly, there’s no better way to learn.
However, I do a lot more than simply improving my Japanese language skills. Other than Japanese, my major field of study in my American University is anthropology. I don’t think I can properly communicate how enjoyable and interesting it is to view and explore Japanese culture through this lens. The culture here is so incredibly different I genuinely experience or learn something completely new everyday, and am constantly being surprised in a good way.
Everything about this experience of studying and living in Japan is enjoyable and enlightening, and I am thankful to everyone who has made it possible for me to be here.