There I was

I have never been fond of bragging, as I never had anything to brag about. “How was it?” I would be asked, but It always proved difficult to explain the feeling of stepping into an entirely different reality.

There I was, in the mecca of animation and the home of the samurai. Orientation at Meiji University’s Winter Language Program introduced me to eight incredible Japanese supporters who consistently strived to polish their abilities and encouraging classmates from across the globe. My time in the classroom made most of my day, providing us the tools to blend in with the Japanese. Our beloved teachers guided us with trails of snacks and activities into the world of introductory Japanese. There I was in a classroom among exceptional students originating from South Korea, Australia, Mexico, and China. My education did not end after class but evolved beyond the classroom as I steered across this new dynamic and marvelous reality.

Making my experience unique was my place of residence, not a dorm, but the home of the Matsushima family, comprise of an elderly lady and her two children who took me in as their own. In just days I became an integrated part of this family, as I share my travels across Japan during our interactions. The JR pass allowed me to travel across Japan from East to West, stopping among Japan's most known cities such as Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Fukuoka as I rode from point to point in one of the world's fastest trains, the Shinkansen, the Bullet train.

In Tokyo, each stop on the punctual trains accompanied me with animated tunes that played upon arriving and departing. Each Ward had unique qualities and quirks that derived from landmarks to cosplayers to theme cafés and restaurants. My eyes were always drawn to the iconic choice of fashion, the revolutionary electronics and the traditional crafts of art, whichever way I looked I dangerously tempted by the numerous shops that immersed my surroundings. Tokyo delicacies know no boundaries as I enjoyed bowls and bowls of rice topped with assorted sashimi, Chicken, beef, or pork at reasonable prices, accompanied with miso soup. Tokyo had it all, and there I was among waves of people and vending machines as I strolled to uncover every aspect of Japan society from relaxing within a shrine, visiting dating spots, eating in restaurants, having Q & A sessions in the shopping malls, and exploring nature in a big park. Like Nara, known for its sacred deer's who wander in its domain and bow upon meeting you, Japanese culture could not truly be understood until you bow and feed a deer. Language barriers were always scaled by the locals who tried to help me in any way every time I asked for directions or assistance in using something; they did more than just point they tagged along. Tradition intertwined with the modern can be seen in every aspect of life in Japan.

I like many of my classmates have a profound appreciation Japan’s rich, fascinating history and culture. As I zoomed from East to West in the Shinkansen, the iconic bullet train, I stopped in places that resemble the very essence of the word, beauty. Meiji University and the Matsushima family became my key to unlocking the mysteries of reality so different from my own, Japan. From its cuisines, landmarks, to buying Shizuoka Cola from a vending machine. There I was, visiting MAPPA, an anime studio famous for combining human dramas and engaging stories with stunning visuals. The studio introduced me to the dynamics that go behind the scenes in producing the iconic anime that we cherish and adore. I just had to travel 6, 737 miles because to understand another culture one needs to connect with it genuinely.

Tokyo will always be a city ever climbing to the peak of a future of street swept in neon among high-rises that will reach for the sky. I explore and experience Japan through the lens of a Japanese student by Meiji providing every one of us the solid support to stand among Japans past and future. So how was it? I was there.