A big reason I chose to come to Japan was because of how different the culture is from the U.S. I wanted to learn more about humanity as a whole and how people live day-to-day in another country. And let me say, I definitely learned a lot! Living with my host mom has taught me a lot. Simple things like dining manners, upkeep of tatami mats, sound within the neighborhood, the many different kinds of trash and recycling you have to sort -- the list goes on. It was hard at first, and I felt a bit like an alien. Not really because of how I looked, but because of how little I knew. Should I walk on this side? Is it ok to sit here? Can I eat in this area? Are pictures ok? Where can I get more cash? What should I say when I leave the store? So many things that I do without thinking in the U.S., I now have to think about in Japan. It really opened my mind to how much where we grow up influences our entire brain chemistry and everyday processing. I do not think I would ever do this level of reflective thinking back home in Colorado, because I do not need to. Things are familiar, and I know how to get around. This is a kind of experience you can only get by being surrounded by a new environment, and definitely a reason to go abroad.
Being here in Japan has also pushed me to try new things that I have never done before, like talking to new people! I would rather not be friendless while I am here, and as a foreigner I have to step outside of my comfort zone. I feel like since coming here, I have started to develop a deeper appreciation for casual conversation and meeting people just for the sake of talking, even if it is nothing deep.
