I also go biking with Kyoto University's Bicycling Club, play board games and card games with friends, visit temples and shrines, and have been trying many new foods. I am taking lessons in a traditional Japanese instrument that is like a violin, the kokyu. Finally, to continue my love of teaching, I have been going into Japanese elementary school classrooms to teach the students about America and American culture.
One of my favorite parts about being abroad is understanding different ways that people lead their lives and see how it compares to what I am used to in America. For example, in Japan, it is important to show respect to your teacher by doing everything they say and thanking them for teaching you. I think this is good because teachers work very hard to give you a good education, so they deserve respect. However, this can also be bad, because if a teacher does something unreasonable or unfair, you cannot speak out against it. One of the biggest lessons I have learned while traveling is that nothing is always good or always bad. Usually, everything has some good aspects and some bad aspects.
I look forward to sharing this and more lessons with you, as well as my experiences as I explore Japan. Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu! (“Nice to meet you!”)
