My first week in Japan, I lived alone in an office building that looked like a spaceship on top of a hill in a forest. I arrived as an intern for the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), an environmental policy research organization in Hayama, Japan. Many people came to the office during the day, but at night, I was alone in the big, empty building.
That first week, I made a point to explore in the evenings—trips to the beach, the grocery store, and figuring out the bus schedule. The next week, a few other interns moved in with me, and I was a little less lonely. But being alone that first week taught me something important: work-life balance still exists when you’re interning abroad.
Instead of being a tourist or a student, I get to experience Japan through the lens of the 40-hour workweek. I spend most of my weekdays sitting at a desk, writing research papers, and attending meetings. I eat lunch in a cafeteria with a spectacular chef who makes a variety of delicious Japanese food.
As an environmental science student, I’m lucky to work in my field abroad. IGES works in parallel with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and drives sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. My research focuses on the public health co-benefits of climate strategies, and my colleagues are working on many interesting projects — from nature-based solutions to sustainable waste practices.
While I love my job, being in Japan has been just as much about the time I’ve spent outside of work. This means evenings and weekends are key. I’ve found peace in falling into routines here — going on evening runs followed by watching the sunset, making quick visits to the beach after work, playing piano, and practicing my Japanese.
While I enjoy the hustle and bustle of visiting Tokyo and the energy of city life, living in a quieter area has taught me to slow down and appreciate the small things. On weekends, I enjoy wandering around new areas and embracing the unexpected.
Last weekend, I participated in a tea ceremony at the last minute — I ended up making matcha and wearing a kimono, which has been one of my favorite experiences so far. A few weeks ago, I went to an onsen, or bathhouse, which pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Other weekends, I’ve explored the area around Mount Fuji, attended the World Expo in Osaka, and wandered through Tokyo’s city streets.
Living and working abroad in Japan has taught me so much — how to manage my time, how to stay in touch with friends and family with a 14-hour time difference, and how to embrace new experiences and change.
As I approach my last few weeks working in Japan, I want to soak up every big and small moment. I’ll embrace what will probably be the only time in my life that I get to live in a spaceship on a hill, with Mount Fuji outside my window.
This post was contributed by Fiona Wyrtzen, a Merryman Revell Scholarship Awardee. Fiona is a College of Natural Sciences senior completing a Global Career Launch internship in Japan.
