First Two Weeks in Japan!

 Hello from Kansai Gaidai University!

I meant to write this update a few days ago, but my days have been jam-packed, so I apologize for the delay...

I've been in Japan for over two weeks now, and it has been a week of situations and opportunities I've been preparing for, but also has thrown plenty of curveballs my way! Already I've traveled to Osaka and Kyoto, eaten lots of fantastic food, and had my fair share of outings, adventures, and the necessary experience of getting lost while in the middle of a rainstorm (with no umbrella, of course). And although it's a bit challenging, I'm striving to create time for reflection, journaling, and other personal practices that help me to more fully understand and enjoy what is happening around me.

The first day in Japan was definitely an overwhelming one. I arrived on campus after nearly 24 hours of traveling with no sleep, took a COVID test (negative!), and had the rest of the night to unpack and unwind. In my small dorm room, I felt so out of my element, and the fears of not making friends and not having my family around when I wanted comfort hit me like a freight train. I'll be honest, I cried. I don't believe that it was out of sadness or regret, but rather that overwhelming sense of, "Oh geez, I've really gone over my head, haven't I?". I collected myself as best I could, took a well-earned shower, and decided to write down how I was feeling before falling asleep. The last line in my journal entry was "I'm sure there are other people in this building who are feeling the same way."

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In the days after my first night in Japan, I was able to distract my still slightly-overwhelmed mind with the help of new found friends and some travel. I was able to meet some fellow scholarship awardees, and we hit it off right away!

We had several days to relax and adjust our circadian rhythms before the semester started, so we took the opportunity to explore the city of Hirakata, as well as day trips to Osaka and Kyoto! In Osaka, we visited Dotonburi, an area of the city known for its bright lights and night life. We tried out takoyaki, visited the arcades, and spent some time oggling the over-the-top decor that some of the businesses used to advertise their goods. When we came back to Hirakata, we explored the surrounding neighborhoods in all sorts of weather in search of new experiences! Sometimes we would succeed, like when we found a local Coco Curry House, and I ascended into a new realm of Good Food Heaven. Other times, we'd make a pit stop on our way to a 100-yen store, find out we were headed in the wrong direction, and would start walking again to find ourselves in a thunderstorm with no umbrellas...

Storefront in Dotonburi

After a few days of sightseeing and acclimating to Japan, classes started! Kansai Gaidai had several days of orientation, including a welcome ceremony that included guests from the local consulate. After the festivities, it was time to get to work! My classes have been fantastic, and after a little bit of switching courses and shifting things around, I have found a schedule that suits my goals for the semester! My courses range from studying Japanese aesthetics in art and daily life, exploring the current cultural and creative industries, and a business class about corporate strategies in East Asia! My professors are incredibly passionate, and I've learned so much in just the first few class sessions.

Other notable moments thus far have included meeting up with old friends... I came to Japan four years ago, and after a long wait, finally reunited with a good friend of mine: Haruna! We exchanged gifts, caught up with one another, and enjoyed lunch at a local cafe with some other friends. It was so exciting to finally be together in person, and it almost felt like we had picked up right where we last left off. 

 

Speaking of reuniting with friends, I'm making it my goal to return to Kamogawa for a visit with my host family from 2018. My host brother, Tatsuya, and his grandmother are a major reason as to why I'm back in Japan, and I want to fulfill a dream of being able to speak with them in Japanese! Tatsuya and I have been in the process of making plans, and it's awesome to know just how close we are to seeing each other once again.

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As I write these concluding words, I look to both the past and future of my semester so far. Many of my friends will be spending the entire school year at KGU, and at times, my chest pangs a little bit with envy at having the opportunity to stay longer. But I reign myself back in, knowing that it is a blessing and major opportunity to be in Japan at all, and that I have weeks and months ahead of me to shape my experience while in the country. And let's be honest, with how stubborn I can be, I can make it a possibility to come back. In the meantime, I'm eating lots of yummy food, wearing out my shoes with all the walking I've been doing, and striving to take it all in as I go along. There is a weighty list of things I still want to do: wearing kimono, staying in a ryokan, visiting an onsen, using my student discount at museums, and much, much more. :)

Thanks for reading, and until the next update (that hopefully won't be delayed!),

-ジョジアズツ