Gratitude, Goodbyes, and Going Home: A Reflection of My Time in Japan

On the ride to the airport, it felt like memories of my time here were replaying on a slideshow in my brain. I thought about the people I’ve met, the places I’ve visited, and the array of new things I tried that I would love to try again. Goodbyes aren’t easy. 

Going from seeing people every day to not knowing when the next time I’ll see them will be is strange and a little sad. But I’m so grateful to have met them and to have experienced all the things I did. Leaving Japan brought forth mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was glad to have some downtime and to see people and places I’d missed from home. On the other, I missed the everyday schedule I had gotten accustomed to abroad. 

I’m so used to hopping on the train, being busy most days, and constantly going out. Now that I’m home and have a less busy lifestyle, it’s a little jarring. I’ve barely been back for two days. My initial flight got canceled and switched to a day after I was supposed to leave. That was a journey in itself, and even when I got back to the states, my second flight back home was delayed repeatedly. Needless to say, the first thing I felt when I got home was exhaustion and a bit of relief. My bed had never felt so comfortable. 

Now, as I’m settling back into my timezone and current summer schedule, it has made me especially aware of the little differences in my daily life. How much driving I do in the United States as compared to the walking and public transportation I used in Japan, the different foods, the language, the day to day behavior and manners. It also made me realize just how tired I was, because on the second night, I slept in to the point where my family couldn’t tell me "good morning . "

Aside from jet lag and exhaustion, returning home has given me more time to reflect. From staying in a ryokan to taking several trains to Harajuku for a hat (it was a great hat in my defense), there are a number of things to think about and be grateful for. Naturally, this comes with missing those times, but more so, it comes with happiness for what I was allowed to experience. I’m thankful to the IES Abroad staff and all the fun and opportunity they gave us, thankful for my professors, and thankful for all the friends I made abroad, who truly made the trip memorable.

I will carry these memories and all I’ve learned with me for a long time. I don’t know what the next chapter of my life will bring, but this journey has shaped my views and character in more ways than one. Learning to navigate the city and transportation, speaking a language in the country it’s used, and branching out to others has helped my confidence and enhanced my time away. Putting myself in a situation with mostly unknowns was not something I could ever have seen myself doing, but after this, I’ve proven to myself that I’m capable of handling it even when I’m anxious. 

This may be cheesy, but wherever you choose to go, you won’t be alone. You’ll have support in the staff, people you’ve met, and from those back home who are cheering you on. Six weeks may not seem like a long time, but so much can happen. 

How you make the most of your time is up to you, and it’s always exciting to see how each story unfolds. 

Until the next journey. Take care, and thanks for reading!