When I stepped off of the plane and arrived in San Francisco for the 2015 Japanese American Student Program, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I knew next to nothing about the other members and had no idea what Japan would be like or what I would learn. But as soon as I arrived at the baggage claim and met my fellow members, I knew I was going to be part of a singularly extraordinary experience accompanied by some amazing people.
We started our twelve-day adventure in the Bay Area, where we toured San Jose Japantown and learned some Japanese American history. Since all of the members in my group were familiar with much of what we learned, my most distinct recollections are of the personal stories from the other members in my group. Since none of us live in the same geographic locations or cultural environments, we’ve all had very different experiences navigating the world as mixed race Japanese Americans.
One of the amazing things about this program was being able to learn and share views regarding our identity, community, and how we see ourselves in relation to both Japan and America. It also gave us a mutual connection to explore together while adding another dimension to our discussions about school, family, and other aspects of our lives and I couldn’t have asked for better people with whom to spend this trip. My group members made every experience more exciting and it was an extreme privilege to share such a unique and wonderful journey with them. Rarely have I had the pleasure of spending so much time with such well-rounded and accomplished individuals who also understand the importance of having fun and exploring new things.
While we had many things in common, we were all on new ground when we arrived in Tokyo. We were so lucky to have such welcoming and kind representatives from the International Friendship Culture Association (IFCA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs; we would have been completely lost without them. All of us bonded very closely with our guide Oka-san and our IFCA contact Oikawa-san, who were our second mothers throughout the entire trip. Oka-san in particular gave us advice on everything from how to exchange money to our love lives, while making sure we were able to have as many new experiences as possible. She was the best guide anyone could have ever asked for and one of the highlights of everyone’s trip.
In Tokyo, we were able to observe the remarkable innovation and technological development that Japan is known for. As someone who is passionate about biology, it was amazing to learn about some of the different approaches, ideas, and goals pertaining to common world problems. It made me realize the importance of future collaboration between our two countries because there is so much that we can learn from the mentality and approach each country uses to achieve goals and solve problems. I also appreciated the fact that many of the more complex theoretical exhibits were engaging to participants of all ages, especially in math, and the setup genuinely made it fun to learn.
I was able to continue learning when we visited a Japanese high school, where I was paired up with a buddy student and attended her classes. The most incredible part of my day actually came during math class because I managed to understand the lesson even though I couldn't necessarily understand the language. I can’t quite explain how remarkable I found this. I was hundreds of miles away from my own math teacher and school, and yet people were learning (or struggling to learn) the same things that I did. This filled me with a profound sense of connection.
Similarly, when I socialized with the other students, we all laughed at the same things and had the same interests. I was the only student in the program who was separated from the group for the entire day, and I am actually very grateful about it. It made me feel like I was really part of the high school community. I was amazed at how easy it was to fit in and learn, and the other students were kind and accepting. By the end of the day, I felt as if I had been going to school there for years.
We then proceeded to travel via shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, which was aesthetically, my favorite place to visit. The houses, streets, and rivers created a beautiful backdrop upon which we visited several historical sites such as Nijo Castle (the shogun’s residence), and the Golden Pavilion. We also participated in several traditional activities, such as a tea ceremony and dyeing. I learned so much about the traditions and history of Japan.
I had a slightly less traditional experience with my three-day homestay when we returned to Tokyo. Though my host family spoke almost no English, their everyday lives and values were very Western. Living with them exposed me to a different concept of modern Japanese life than I had previously experienced, and while communicating was quite a struggle, I learned a lot of Japanese. Most importantly, my host daughter and I both love Harry Potter.
It was amazing to sightsee and participate in a myriad of activities while I was in Japan, but my most vivid and impactful memories are the little things. The way no one bumps into each other at the train station during rush hour. The fact that people stand on one side of the escalator and walk up the other and that the high school teachers didn’t reprimand students for talking in class because they did do so without being disrespectful or disruptive. There are so many little acts of generosity and kindness that we can partake in on an everyday basis to improve not the quantity of things in our lives, but the quality of them, and that of those around us.
I didn’t have any “eureka!”-esque life-changing moments in Japan where I suddenly understood myself, my culture, or what it all “really means” to be Japanese or Japanese American, but I came back with a much clearer vision of how I want to live my life and the person that I want to be. I came back with an active, urgent understanding of why Japan is so important, why I need it as part of my life in a way that it wasn't before but it will never not be again, and with four other people who, I hope, feel that way as well. Thank you to the Consulate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Friendship Culture Association, and the countless people who made this program possible.
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