Another Chapter

Simply put, today was wonderful. After a night of partying with new friends, I shifted my focus towards teaching and learning. For the better part of four hours, I sat with Tomoya-san on the UAlbany academic podium, sharing stories of life and comparing our home countries. I have to say that in those four hours, I became so much more aware of life outside of my own bubble.

It's one thing to have a casual conversation with a friend in passing. It's another thing to discuss in-depth with another human being about each other's past experiences. It's yet another thing to gain a whole new perspective on life in just short of four hours. Our conversations ran the gamut from driving in Japan to studying in the United States to adjusting to a new country and recovering from cultural shock. It was yet another humbling experience to speak with Tomoya. As has been the case lately, I was put in my place again.

From what I've experienced, the more I open myself up, the bigger this planet gets. I'm grateful to hear such unique perspectives on different issues like tolerance and acceptance, and I'm amazed by how much we--Americans vs Japanese citizens--are so similar. While I'm still anxious to study in a foreign country, I feel that regardless of the barriers that may need to be broken down, I will be able to adjust and gain the most out of my journey that I possibly can.

I regard Tomoya very highly. I think he is one of the most interesting people I've met in my short twenty years of life, and I really enjoy his company. I appreciate his willingness to open up to me and share his stories and his views, many of which are similar to mine. From everything I've read and understood, Japanese people tend to be more reserved than those of us in the United States. It is a simple cultural difference. With that said, I have been very impressed with Tomoya's openness and honesty. He has a great heart and has promised to help me with my preparations over the next few months.

I think that this is the beginning of a good friendship. I know that at the end of this year, Tomoya and many more of my friends will return to Japan to begin a new stage of life. We will all be physically separated by half the world, but we will all remain together in spirit. It is through the long conversations and the sharing of stories that lasting impressions can take root and grow. I look forward to learning more from Tomoya-san, Kazuto-san, Yujiro-san (or Yujiro-chan--I haven't yet decided), Akitomo-san, Ikki-san, Yohei-san, Reika-chan, Emma-chan, Tatsuya-san, Taka-san, and everyone else that I have met and have yet to meet along the way. From what I've taken out of each one of these people, I can say with confidence that Japan is the one and only choice for me.