Being abroad has changed me, and it was for the better. I loved every minute of it, even though some parts were hard. I have been back in the United States for about a month now. Sometimes I still finding myself doing things that I was used to in Japan such as taking off my shoes before entering a house or standing to one side of an escalator. I also miss a lot of the food that I had there. American food is great, but I find a lot of things too sweet now. Foods I used to love became foods I can barely eat.
Japan has been an unbelievable experience that was everything and more. I laughed, I cried, I had moments where it was hard. But through it all, I changed as a person for the better. I definitely want to go back and see more of Japan. I still need to go to Tokyo and visit all the cool pop culture spots there. I still want to go to Sapporo and visit the natural hot springs. There is so much more to Japan that I cannot wait to experience. And I know I have friends along the way who will help me.
This chapter of my life maybe over, but it is one I will read over and over again. Even though “nothing gold can stay” and all good things must come to an end, I can remember to stay gold and keep these memories alive in my heart.