Post # 1
This summer I chose to study abroad in Kyoto, Japan. The reason for this is because I have never been able to go to Japan before and being half Japanese with some family members still living in Japan, I felt that doing a study abroad program here would be perfect. I applied to the program during the end of the Fall semester and remember being a little nervous to go to a new country completely alone for an entire month. As it got closer to the time that I had to leave I started having second thoughts. I was nervous about how I was going to manage alone in a foreign country and was scared that I would not make new friends and have fun. I did not know a single other person that would be in the program and was hoping and praying that whoever my roommate was going to be, that she would be like me. However, after being in the program for a few weeks now, I can officially say I love it. I could not be happier with my experiences so far. My roommate is almost exactly like me, and we hit it off immediately. Additionally, I have found a group of people to explore with and really enjoy their company. The culture in Japan is extremely different than the United States but I find it comforting and peaceful. People are very polite and reserved, and the fashion is also completely different. Experiencing this new way of life has been incredible and I personally like this country more than America so far. Kyoto is a wonderful city with rich history on every street. It is completely walkable, and the public transportation is nice and extremely efficient. So far, I have been to surrounding cities such as Osaka and Uji, and have gotten the opportunity to go to shrines, temples and museums while also trying the local cuisines and drinks. While I still have about one month left, I could not be happier with my choice to study abroad and am excited to see what else this journey has in store for me. So far, my advice to anyone that is on the fence about studying abroad, I think you should just 100% go for it.
