So, what's life like on the other side of the National Dateline you ask? Let me tell you. In Japan, there are so many people. Japan is a group of islands slightly smaller in size than the state of California, but it has a population roughly half of the United States. That's a lot of people in one area practically living on top of each other. The streets are overflowing with both natives and tourists, and going anywhere by car is impossible. No matter the time of day, morning, noon, or night, you can always count on trying to push yourself through a sea of people just to get from one place to another.
I remember my first impression of seeing the Tokyo skyline as I took a bus into the city the night I arrived here.....Amazing! Red beacons of light blinked from all 4 corners of every skyscraper in the city, and even late at night you could see in and see people still working! One of my first places to visit was Shinjuku Station, which is said to be the largest and most busy rail/subway station in the world. Coming out of a subway at night is just like stepping out into the sun. Neon lights advertising stores, products, dance clubs, and restaurants light up everything. I can't fathom the cost of electric bills in this country.
As from a personal view of this new program through Marist and the Council organization, I love it! I'm up every morning at 6:30, and I start my commute to school at 7:45. I take a subway approximately 40 minutes into central Tokyo. That's after I ride my bicycle to the station for about 15 minutes. That's everyday, 5 days a week, from now until the end of the 4 months I'm here. This is definitely different than being a student at Marist. No more crawling out of bed and throwing on the clothes you wore the night before 5 minutes before class starts! That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy every second of my commute, because I do. Every time I do this it takes me one step closer to understanding the culture that surrounds me.
I live with a host family, who by the way are the most caring people I have ever met. I am a stranger in their home and they treat me as if I am their son. At the slightest sniffle my host mother is ready to whip out an old Japanese cold remedy. My host father likes to take me biking, where we go to parks and just talk and relax.
Sophia University is a nice campus where you can experience city life but still keep things on a personal level with both your teachers and classmates. I like all my classes so far, the teachers are really funny and so energetic. I assume that's just because that is how life is here. Never a dull moment! All general classes are taught in English and meet 2 times a week. My Japanese class meets every day. You really get a good workout with the language, from class, your host family, and from your surroundings, which keeps you constantly speaking and thinking in Japanese!
The first week I participated on a scavenger hunt around all the areas of Tokyo. I saw the infamous Tokyo Tower, the old Imperial Palace, and a national landmark, the Chuken Hachikou. (A statue of a dog outside of Shibuya station where people like to meet. The dog acts as a symbol of loyalty and has a very sad story behind it [Story on Page 5].) I have also visited "Nikko", an old city in Japan that is known for its Edo style architecture, its association with the history of the Tokugawa Shoguns, and its natural Onsens (hot springs). The program events also include seeing a Japanese Baseball game, visiting Fuji Television Studios, going to a Sumo Wrestling practice, and seeing some classic Kabuki Theater.
Though I miss my family and friends, I know they will be there when I return. I want to thank all of those in the abroad office who were so supportive of my visiting here. I also want to thank Jackie "Imai Sensei", the Japanese language teacher at Marist, for both her teachings of the language and the rekindling of my interests of Japan. Thanks to them, I'll have a lot of stories to bring back.
I hope this article has interested some people about Japan. This is an experience of a lifetime, and I'd recommend it to anyone, no matter what their knowledge or impression of Japan is. Once you come here, everything will change! I hope to see some curious faces when I return, hopefully some of them will be interested in coming here. Feel free to ask me about anything, it will be well worth my time and yours.
