めんそーれ(Welcome)！Vacationing in Okinawa

Welcome to Okinawa!

One of the most enjoyable things to do while studying abroad is taking trips. I am fortunate to be in a study abroad program that plans student trips. Our first major trip was a 3 night, 4 day trip to Okinawa, Japan. Unbelievably, we went all over the main island in just 4 days! Some of the places we visited include: Shuri Castle, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum, Katsurenjyo Castle Ruins, and Ryukyu Mura Park (replica of an original Ryukyu village).

Wearing traditional Okinawa clothing

Ate some yummy taco rice and noodles!

Relaxing at a beach in Okinawa~

We had a wonderful time experiencing Okinawa's culture and food, seeing historical places, and bonding with each other. This trip will be one of my most memorable experiences as a study abroad student.

Here is a short video of some of our adventures: Big thanks to my friend Tamaki-chan for creating and editing this awesome video!!

* Note: the video only works on this blog!

Studying Abroad: the Ups, the Downs, and Finally Feeling “At home”! (Part 4 of a 4 Part Series)

Part 4: “The best education is making the most of every day”

An “international education” can be obtained a variety ways.  Classroom lectures and discussions by professors and other students are invaluable.  However, I also strongly believe that spending time outside the classroom and experiencing “everyday life is just as crucial. What you experience in public gives you the life skills needed to become a more independent and mature adult. For most study abroad students, we are still in the “forever young, student life” phase.  We are also getting closer to the phase where we have to face the “real world.” Without knowing things like how to ride a train, navigate one’s way through a city successfully, avoid drunkards and dangerous people, ask for directions and help, and most importantly, not looking helpless, you are bound to have endless problems.

Eating traditional New Year's food for the first time in Japan

It felt so surreal to visit my family's hometown for the 1st time (Shikoku, Japan)

Everyone handles their everyday lives and actions differently; not every action is exactly right or wrong. How one perceives and then handles life’s many challenges will affect the outcome. I know there is so much more I need and want to learn about in Japan. With that in mind, I have decided to take a leap of faith and “say yes!” to many opportunities presented to me.  I’m taking a stab at them, knowing I might “mess up” – but I may also spectacularly succeed!   There are still so many pages to be filled in my “Japan Story” before I get on that plane to return home.  I can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow!

Trying my first 빙수 (shaved ice) in Seoul, South Korea.

Stepping back in time at the Ryukyu Village in Okinawa

End of Part 4 

Studying Abroad: the Ups, the Downs, and Finally Feeling “At home”! (Part 3 of a 4 Part Series)

Part 3: “Now is the time to go for it!”

Now that you feel confident you may start to feel lazy and not have as much urge and energy to try out new things. Heck, you’ve been trying and learning new things on a daily basis since the 1^st day you stepped onto new land. DON’T give in to the temptation of just feeling “comfortable” and not exploring what you may have been too scared to try or said you would try later (but we all know that sometimes it means NEVER).

There are many "unexpected" places you should visit while being in a new country- like the Sankyu Sand Dunes in Tottori, Japan. Who knew Japan had deserts?!

During the first 2-3 months in Japan, I made a list of places I wanted to go and things I wanted to do. While there are many that I have checked off, there are still a lot of empty boxes; boxes that have unexplored areas I want to check out. Although I can’t freely go to each one every day because of school, the weekends and free days are the perfect time to check them out. I’ll admit, there are times when curling up in a blanket and having a Korean drama binge marathon seems more tempting (and there have been a couple times when I did drama binge), I know I could be eating the ‘catch of the day’ at Tsukiji Market or people watching in Harajuku and Omotesando. While I know not everyone may not agree with me, I would rather spend more of my time out with my friends discovering whatever Japan has to offer over being pent up in my room or a classroom between 3-6 hours a day, 4-6 days a week.

海鮮丼(seafood bowl) at Tsukiji Market

Choices, choices... debating which crepe to eat at Santa Monica Crepes, Harajuku

End of Part 3

Studying Abroad: the Ups, the Downs, and Finally Feeling “At home”! (Part 2 of a 4 part series)

Part 2: “I think I’m getting the hang of this place – I don’t feel like a “fish out of water” anymore!”

Several weeks into my academic year program and I still feel a sense of urgency to return to my family and friends. But I also am feeling a greater desire to stay in Japan for a bit longer.  Suddenly, things like the tiny aisles in stores – that seem to only accommodate the width of a single person, don’t bother me so much anymore.  And speaking primarily in Japanese to strangers in public no longer makes me a nervous wreck or turn me into a “worrywart” about saying the “wrong thing”.   I have even come to realize and accept that no what store I shop at, there really is no such thing as a “SALE” (unless you really call 10-20% a “great” sale)!  Rather than feeling huffy, I look for alternatives like second hand shops for clothes instead of mainstream stores, and also mom-and-pop shops instead of generic grocery stores.

The nearby Thai restaurant adds a nice extra "touch" to my meal
 (I visit this place frequently and always try to practice my Japanese with the owners!)

I no longer feel depressed and terribly anxious wanting to take the next plane back to California. In fact, life in Tokyo is starting to feel normal- almost to the point that it is a little bit boring.  I am cognizant that because I haven’t lived even a full year in Japan, there will be new encounters and problems that I may not be fully prepared for. However, I finally KNOW that I have the mental, physical, and psychological ability to overcome these challenges.

 

"外さん" (Foreigner san)- I think if this happened to me at the beginning of my study abroad trip, I would have been a bit mad. Now, I can't help but laugh! At least the noodles were delicious! 

There will come a time when your life becomes brighter and you become more confident that you can accomplish anything!

End of Part 2

Studying Abroad: the Ups, the Downs, and Finally Feeling “At home”! (Part 1 of a 4 part series)

Part 1: “Help! What the heck am I doing here?!”

It happens to every study abroad student, the feeling of “not belonging” in the country you are living in with a crashing wave of homesickness and frequent dosages of frustration. No matter where you go and what you see, there will be something about your temporary home that will either confuse you or make you mad (or both!).  Depending on how you deal with the “Frustration Stage” of studying abroad, it can last as little as one month…. or it can last until you return to your home country (hopefully that is not the case for you).

And then, whether you consciously realize it or not, there will come a point in time when the things that used to baffle you will not mystify and frustrate you so much. There will a time when you find that you can overcome past annoyances and not allow such things to dishearten you, nor keep you from pursuing your dreams while abroad… And depending on your perspective and outlook on life, you may even start to feel a bit sad knowing that you only have a limited amount of time before you must board that plane back home.

Find little things that will bring joy to your everyday life.

End of Part 1