Japan had always been at the top of my list of places I wanted to visit. At the same time, studying abroad was something I had always dreamed of doing, but I never thought it would actually happen for me. It felt like one of those experiences that sounded amazing in theory but seemed almost impossible in reality. That all changed when my friend and I decided, very spontaneously, to apply for a study abroad program in Japan. We did not have much time to think about it or even know what to expect, so when we both found out that we had been accepted, we were honestly shocked.
When I arrived in Japan, it took a while for everything to sink in. I was finally in a country I had wanted to visit for years. Everything I had seen online was right in front of me. Even now, it is still hard to believe that I got the opportunity to experience so many things I had once only dreamed about.
One of the biggest things I was excited about was, unsurprisingly, the food. I had a long list of things I wanted to try, and I was determined to make my way through as much of it as possible. I probably spent an unreasonable amount of time at 7-Eleven, but honestly, I have no regrets. I wanted to try the snacks, drinks, desserts, and foods I had seen online for years, and finally being able to pick them up and try them for myself was such a fun part of the trip. Food became a big part of how I explored Japan, and I loved getting to discover something new almost every day.
One experience that was especially memorable was visiting DisneySea. It was my first time ever going to Disney, so getting to experience it for the first time in Japan made it even more meaningful. The day did not go exactly how we planned because it was cold and raining, but we refused to let the weather ruin it. We still explored the park, went on rides, and made the most of our time there. I was especially excited to experience the Rapunzel ride, which had been something I was looking forward to before the trip. Of course, a good portion of the day was also spent eating and trying different foods throughout the park. Even though the weather was not ideal, it became one of those imperfect days that I will probably remember the most.
Beyond the places I visited and the food I tried, studying abroad taught me something about taking chances. If my friend and I had talked ourselves out of applying because it was too last-minute or because we thought it was unrealistic, I would have missed out on an experience that meant so much to me. Sometimes the opportunities that seem the least likely to happen can become the ones you are most grateful for.
As a first-generation student, I am especially proud that I was able to study abroad in Japan. I love that my parents can say their daughter went to Japan to study and had the opportunity to experience something completely outside of what I was used to. It makes the experience feel even more meaningful because I know how much it means to both me and my family.
Those two weeks went by faster than I could have imagined, but they gave me memories that I will carry with me for a long time. I got to visit a country I had always dreamed of seeing, try foods I had always wanted to taste, experience DisneySea for the first time, and share the entire experience with my friend. Most importantly, I learned that sometimes you just have to take the opportunity when it comes, even if it feels spontaneous or uncertain. What started as a last-minute decision became one of the best two weeks of my life.