Just 2 years ago, I would never have thought I would ever visit a place like Japan, let alone live there for a year. Before this opportunity, I had only ever seen the ocean once, and the farthest I had ever travelled from home was maybe 2 or 3 states away. This year was both the longest and shortest year I've ever lived. It's funny how many colorful experiences can make time fly, and yet cause 12 months to feel like a lifetime.I come back to America feeling so much larger in a strange way. I've adapted and proven to myself that I can stake out a life across the globe.I will miss so many things about Kitakyushu. I love taking night walks through the streets, riding our city's iconic monorail, wandering the green mountains, being so close to the sea, and always having so many events to go see, cooking with my host family. It's been a huge pleasure getting a grasp on the language and making cherished connections. I didn't know what to expect from living abroad, and to be honest, I didn't plan to stay for a year. But I'm so glad I did, I feel you need at least a year to be immersed in a culture.
