Since arriving in Japan, everything seems new and different. I never thought I would find myself living and studying a language in a country on the other side of the world. Getting off the plane, I immediately realized that even the small things are different.
I’ve been to many airports, but I’ve never seen an airport as clean and quiet as the one I arrived in when I landed in Japan. The airport was my first impression of the country. Suddenly being immersed in a news language and going the wrong way when taking the trains is the most surreal experience I’ve had so far. Even after living in Japan for several weeks, it doesn’t feel real to be here.
In retrospect, I’m glad I studied Japanese prior to my trip as it allowed me to not feel as lost. I have the ability to talk, even briefly and with difficulty, with people who live here. I have a vivid memory from my first days in Tokyo of wandering around Shibuya and stepping into a small, beautiful shrine that emitted calmness in the midst of the city’s chaos.
While taking some pictures, the caretaker of the shrine – an old, smiling lady – came out and asked me where I’m from. In broken Japanese, I explained that I’m an exchange student originally from Mexico but studying in the United States. She seemed kind and explained that, because the cherry blossoms were just about to bloom, it was the perfect time for me to be visiting Japan. She wished for me to have a fun stay.
After seeing my first cherry blossoms, I can testify that they’re one of the most beautiful sights one could ever encounter. Everyone, tourists or not, stops to take pictures of the flowers that bloom across the city and dust the streets. Stopping to enjoy the blossoms is such a prevalent experience that there’s even a word in Japanese for it: “hanami,” which translates to “flower viewing.”
Before my classes began, I decided to take a quick trip to the Kansai region, where the cities of Osaka and Kyoto are located. They attract many tourists, but for good reasons. Kyoto is by far my favorite city that I have visited in Japan as it feels more like a town with the infrastructure and convenience of a big city.
I tried to avoid the places that tourists typically visit. That decision led me to the most beautiful and astonishing temple I have ever seen. Compared to other temples in Kyoto, it was mostly empty. I was welcomed by a gigantic gate, followed by a lot of stairs that go up the mountain and lead to the actual temple, which is surrounded by more mountains, cherry blossoms, and beautiful gardens. This was truly an underrated temple next to the heart of Kyoto.
Though my classes start in just a few days, I have already met many people from a wide range of countries who are part of the program same program as me and live in my dorm. I’m ecstatic to have met such wonderful people.
I can’t wait for classes to begin and make more friends, keep improving my Japanese skills, learn more about this country, and attend events that I would never have attended if I followed the fearful voice in my head that almost stopped me from applying to study abroad. There’s always going to be a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty when embarking on a lifechanging experience like studying abroad. Sometimes, all you need to do to reach a goal is learn to ignore the part of you that feels like you cannot step outside of your comfort zone.
This post was contributed by Horus Mendoza Garcia, a Global Ambassador for Spring 2025. Horus is a junior studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan.
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