During my time living in Japan, I have grown so much as a person. Time in Japan has forced me to be really independent, yet everyone around me has helped me to achieve that independence. This experience has helped me realize how much the simple things in life really help you. Things such as public transportation have made everything so much easier. It is never too expensive, and even when you got lost, you can always find a way back to where you need to be. Here in Japan, it seems like everyone is always willing to help you, since they understand that you are foreign.
Not only did my work at the school help me to adjust, but the community center offered special free trips once a month to help us learn about our community here in Nagoya as well as Japan's greater history. This truly made a difference for me as I got to talk with children, the elderly, community council members and even college students other than those from Nagoya University. I got to help them improve their international program, help Japanese students speak in English and feel a part of the community.
Even the stressful or unexpected downturns truly never stayed that way. My favorite memory of such a time was my trip to the Nisshin City Hall Festival. My best friend and I went together and enjoyed a great day.
