Leaving

Leaving

Today is my very last day in Japan, and I can't believe how quickly six months has flown pass. I've gotten to do so many things here over my stay; it's been wonderful. I've met friends I know I'll keep for life. I've gained a second family that I'm so sadden to depart from. I've had adventures I had only dreamed of (climbing a mountain, going to Disney Land, etc). I'm so proud of myself for making a goal and sticking to it, otherwise I would have never gotten this chance. This has really been a life-changing experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I couldn't have done it without every single person who supported my dream. So, thank you for making my dream come true. 

~ほんとにどうもありがとうございました~
~Really, thank you so much~

2 Weeks Left!

2 Weeks Left!

It has been one busy month, getting ready to come home after so long: getting in those last minute trips; writing letters to those who have helped shape my experience here; and the unavoidable packing. I didn't realize how much stuff I've accumulated until I started to gather up things to ship home- I may need to reconsider what I'm taking home. I'm definitely going to miss Japan and all of the wonderful people I've met here; six months has just flown by so quickly. I'm really glad I got this chance to go abroad; it has made such a large impact on my life. And hopefully, I'll get another chance to return to The Land of the Rising Sun.

Winter Break

Winter Break

I have been on winter break for about two weeks now, and it has been seemingly eventful. Just recently, my host mom and I went to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. I had a blast! I got to see so many animals, a lot of which aren't in American zoos. I even got a new key chain from there! Another eventful thing I've done is eat mochi! While that might not seem that exciting, it was. For those of you unaware, mochi (often referred to as "Omochi") is Japanese, pounded rice cake. It is most often made and eaten around New Year's. The making of it is what makes it exciting. To make mochi, rice is soaked over night, cooked, and then pounded vigorously until it is a dough-like substance. Then, it is shaped into various things, mainly spheres and cubes. While mochi can be eaten plain, it is most often eaten with various toppings such as nori (dried seaweed), kinoko (soybean flour), and a variety of other flavorings. I'm definitely grateful to have been able to take part in this Japanese tradition!

Q&A Time!

Q&A Time!

1) What's the weather like?

The weather is just breathless. Since it's now almost the end of Autumn, the weather's been getting colder. However, it's still as beautiful as ever. 

2) How does the weather compare to Indiana?

The weather here is a lot more rainy than it is back home, but it's still warmer here. And it has yet to snow where I'm at, so that's a plus! 

3) Is your schoolwork difficult?

My schoolwork is decently difficult, but it's getting better the longer I study. Since I'm an exchange student, I don't get official "grades." It's more of a "participation points" type of system. 

4) Do the families you've stayed with practice any religions?

Mostly all families in Japan practice a mixture of Buddhism and Shintoism. But in compared to many American families (going to church on Sunday, praying at meals, etc.), it is not so much practiced. In all but one of the families I have stayed with, at least one person prays to a small shrine (set inside the house) every morning, but that's about the extent off it. Of course, this excludes big events such as weddings, funerals, etc, where many people take part in the traditions and customs. 

5) What has been the most worthwhile place you've visited so far?

I think Mount Fuji tops everything that I've seen in Japan. It is by far the most serene sight I have ever seen (in both America and Japan), and it is the tallest mountain in Japan. So, on a clear day, it can be seen from almost anywhere on the main island. 

6) What have you seen in the culture of Japan that you think should be incorporated into America?

Without a doubt, the biggest change I think America should implement is getting rid of all paper towels and hand driers in public restrooms. You may think I'm crazy, but helps save energy and there's not as much waste from it. In Japan, everyone carries around their own hand towel because of the lack of paper towels and driers in public restrooms. Another brilliant idea is getting rid of all clothes driers, or at least using them only when necessary. In Japan, it is extremely rare to find a clothes drier in an average house. Instead, Japanese people hang their clothes up in a sunny area, either inside the house or outside, and let them dry at their own pace. It not only saves on the amount of energy used, but it also helps to keep your clothes from shrinking. I have an entire list of things America should incorporate from Japan, but they all have one thing in common: saving energy and the planet. So, the biggest thing that should be incorporated into the United States is promoting energy saving and helping the planet (recycle!). 

7) What is your favorite part of being a student in Japan?

My absolute favorite part of being an exchange student in Japan is getting to experience a normal Japanese lifestyle. As a student, I go to school; I participate in clubs. I get to see what the typical Japanese lifestyle is by living it. Also as an exchange student, I've gotten to stay with four very different families, thus far, and see a wider view of Japanese home life. All of the families have been vastly different from one another (children ranging in ages from older to younger to my age, how family time is spent, etc.), but it has allowed me to widen my view of how Japanese people live. 

 8) What has been your biggest change thus far?

I would have to say that my biggest change thus far has been broadening my views of things, mainly food. Before I came to Japan, I told myself that I wouldn't judge anything by what it looks like (whether it be food, activities, etc.), simply because it would take away from my experience. I've learned that just because something is different, it doesn't make it automatically bad; it only makes it different. 

9) Has the language barrier proven to be as difficult as the hearsay or are you coping better than you expected?

Truth be told, the language barrier has been my hardest struggle to overcome, but it was easier than I expected. I think that having studied Japanese for three years before I came abroad helped a great deal with this obstacle. I feel that if I had come with no prior language knowledge, the struggle would have been even harder than it was. 

10) Do you find yourself missing certain aspects of home that you didn't think you would miss?

I honestly didn't think I would miss American food as much as I do. It's kind of surprising to me to find myself craving the stereotypical American food (hamburger, corn dog, hot dog, etc.). Mind you, in America, I loved eating Japanese and Chinese (really, anything Asian) food. However, eating it on a daily bases, you really start to miss what you took for granted.  

Apple Picking and Questions!

Apple Picking

So, on Sunday, I went to a nearby orchard with my host family to pick apples! It was very fun, and the apples were extraordinarily delicious. It was a bit a different from picking apples back in Indiana. First off, we were given two baskets (to put the apples in), a couple pairing knives, a cutting board, and a bowl for our garbage. Then, we were taken to a specific row of apple trees with a picnic table in the middle of it. We were allowed to pick and eat as many apples as we wanted, and we didn't have to pay. However, if we wanted to bring any home (which we did, and many I might add), we had to pay for them. Overall, it was a great way to spend a Sunday morning. And it was even a great day too

Questions!

As I've come to realize, a good portion of my readers (you guys) probably have questions about either my trip or Japan itself. So, I thought I would do a little Q&A for my next update! Please leave a comment or a message with any questions you have, and I will try to answer them to my best ability! And as always, I wouldn't be where I am today without the support from each and every one of you guys. So, as they say in Japanese, どもありがとうございます(domo arigatou gozaimasu; thank you very much)! :) 

Karaoke and Sushi!

Karaoke and Sushi!

So yesterday, I finally got to experience a karaoke box. For those of you unaware, a karaoke box is a place where many people go to sing karaoke with their friends and family. One of my host sisters and I went to one after our day of shopping in Utsunomiya. We sung our hearts out for a good two hours before our stomachs growled for food, and we headed off to dinner. Dinner was another amazing experience all on its own! My host sister and I went to a sushi bar, and it was absolutely delicious. We sat at a counter facing a large conveyor belt that carried sushi! You picked the sushi that you want to eat off of the conveyor belt, and after you've eaten all that you want, you press a button and a server comes to count your plates and hand you your bill. It was cheap and the sushi was absolutely delicious! Needless to say, my day was filled with fun adventures. And I'm very excited to see what next week holds! 

Update!

Last Week!

So, it's been a little while since I last posted, and I have lots to tell you! First off, the Kanagawa-prefecture was pretty exciting. The other two exchange students and I went to a new school for a week, and it was definitely a blast. We all made a lot of new friends and gained a ton of new memories. While in the new prefecture, my host family took me to see The Great Buddah. It was huge, and we even got to go inside of it (it's hollow)! They also took me to see the majestic Mount Fuji! I was so aghast by its immense size, even from afar. I'm very happy I got to switch schools, even if it was just for a week.

This Week!

Yesterday, my host sister and I went to Tokyo! We went to the Pokemon Center, Shibuya, and Harujuku! I was so happy to go because the last time I went to Tokyo, I didn't get to explore much of it at all. This time, I got to go to many different places. I even ended up buying a new backpack in Harujuku (it has a monster face on it). It's been an eventful two weeks, and I'm sure the upcoming week(s) will be even more eventful! I can't wait!

Japan Update!

Japan Update!

So this week has certainly been a busy week for me! Last Saturday and Sunday, I stayed with another host family (just for the weekend) and enjoyed the Kanuma Harvest Festival that was going on. It was definitely a lot of fun! Saturday, the other two AFSers in my area and I met our host families for the weekends and went to the festival later that evening. On Sunday, my host family took me to a Japanese amusement park before meeting up again with the other AFSers and their families to enjoy the second day of the festival. Also on Sunday, the other AFSers and I got to be in the parade and helped pull one of the large floats! It was very hard work, but absolutely thrilling. The next day, Monday (we didn't have school because of the national holiday), we left our host families and headed to a bit outside of Utsunomiya to help harvest rice. That was also a lot of fun! It wasn't as hard as I had imagined, but it definitely wasn't easy! On Wednesday, we had a massive typhoon which delayed my school until after 1pm. Everything was alright though, and it wasn't all that bad. Thursday (my school didn't have school Thursday and Friday), my host mother and other host sister took me to the Nikko Festival held at the Toshogu shrine. It was completely different from the one held in Kanuma! But at both, I enjoyed myself. It's been a busy week so far, and next week will be even busier! 

Next Week?

This upcoming week, the other two AFSers and I are switching schools and going to the Kanagawa prefecture for one week. We all leave tomorrow morning to take the train together, and we won't be returning until next Sunday. I'm looking very forward to seeing how this school differs from the one I go to now. I know it will be a lot of fun, especially going to the same school as the other exchange students!

Pictures!

Toshogu Shrine

 Tochigi Ken Boys' School Festival

 Highway Truck Stop 

 Fukushima Art Museum

 Shaved Ice

 Ice Cream Shop Poster

 River

 Ice Bucks Hockey Game

Moving Day

Moving Day

Today was moving day for me. I spent the first half of my morning with my first host family, which was very nice. My host sister and I went to a festival in Utsunomiya, then went shopping in central Utsunomiya. I had a lot of fun and took a ton of pictures! And even bought two new shirts. Afterwards, we headed back home where I had a last cup of tea with my host mother and sister. Then, it was off to my new host family's house. 

My new host family is very large and very kind. I have a host sister, brother-in-law, nephew, mother, and father, and they're all very wonderful. They don't speak much English (only a few words here and there), but that's quite alright. Their house is a bit far away from my school, so I will have to take a bike, a train, and then walk to school everyday from now on. I don't think it will be all that bad, even in the winter. Oh, and before I forget, I live on a Lilly farm. It's very wide and spacious and absolutely beautiful. 

It's definitely a change from my first host family, but nothing I can't get use to! 

New Host Sister!

New Host Sister!

I finally got to meet my other host sister. My host parents, host sister (the one who lives at home), and I went do to Tokyo on Saturday to watch my other host sister graduate from college. It was very lovely meeting her and watching her graduate. It was also very interesting to see a Japanese graduation ceremony. It was mainly the same as an American graduation ceremony, only a lot smaller and more bowing. After the ceremony, my host family, except for my new host sister, and I went to this nearby Indian festival. It was definitely a lot of fun. I even bought a new dress there. I didn't get to explore Tokyo all that much, but it surely was a gorgeous sight to see, and I definitely want to go back! I can't believe that I've been here an entire month already; it only feels like a few days! 

One Month Now

One Month Now!

I've been in Japan for about a month now, and I still can't believe I'm living this dream. I've been having a great time here and am so excited I got to come. In the past week, on Friday, my host parents and I went to a see a local concert. It was very fun, and I even got a CD from it. It was just two locals playing, but I still had fun. Saturday I got to go to my first street festival. It was very small, but it was definitely a blast. I've been enjoying my time spent in Japan and all the fun things I've done so far. I'm very excited to see what next week (and the week after that and after that) has in store for me. 

More Japan!

More Japan!

Oh goodness, Japan has just been absolutely fabulous; I`m enjoying ever moment here. Thursday, my school had their annual Sports Day (a day where all the students participate in sports during the school day), and I still can`t understand why American schools don`t have one. It was absolutely fantastic. All during the school day, I got to play sports and hang out with my friends. It was supremely terrific. On Saturday, my host mother and sister and I went shopping, and I bought my first new outfit in Japan. Afterwards, we met up with my host father and went to an ice hockey game. It was the Tochigi Icebucks against a Korean team. Unforunately, our team didn't win, but I had fun nonetheless. And today, AFS (my exchange program) had a party to welcome me to Japan. It was also very exciting. I gave a presentation about America and got to meet the other AFS exchange students that are doing the year-long program. Afterwards, my host mother and I went to this very large mall near Utsunomiya, and I got two very pretty dresses there. Afterwards, we came home for a little bit before leaving for the grocery store. There, we bought all the necessary items to make my real father's very delicious chili. And now, I get to make it for them (with the help of my Okasan (host mother)). It has definitely been a terrific week in Japan. And I know there will be plenty more for me to see and do during my stay!

JAPAN!!

Japan!

Oh goodness, what a crazy two weeks it has been. I arrived safely into the Narita airport on the 23rd of August and have been living it up ever since. The day after arrival, I had a very long, one day orientation explaining about the program and Japan as a whole. The day after THAT, I met my host family. My host sister and host mother picked me up at the train station and took me to their lovely home. On the way, we stopped at this amazing Japanese resturant where (for my first real meal in Japan) I got my favorite Japanese food: tempura. After meeting my family, I started school the very next day. And man, was that an adjustment.

Not only was it my first time EVER wearing a uniform, but it was my first time ever being a new student. I guess being foreign makes everything just a little bit better. Besides the craziness of not knowing the daily routine and everyone being overwhelmed by my blonde hair, it wasn't half bad. Everyone at my school (teachers and students) are extremely nice and helpful when I don't understand.

Besides the normal routine of school and host home, I've been to a lot of other places already! Last Saturday, I went to the Tochigi Boys' School Festival (in Shin-tochigi); last Sunday, my host mother took me to the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko city; and today, my host family took me to the Fukushima Museum of Art.

Minus all the new places, I've got to experience a lot, too. On Wednesday, I experienced my first ever earthquake. It was pretty different from Indiana (where the ground never shakes!), but at least no one got hurt. I've even made my first new friends within my first week of school.

With everything I've seen and experienced already in my first two weeks, I can tell you right now that I'm overly thrilled with my choice to study in Japan.

Host Family Update!

Host Family Update!

I just received information about my host family placement! It turns out I will actually be staying with two host families during my stay in Japan! My first placement will be in Nikko, Japan, and I will be staying with my first family for a month. Nikko, Japan is 1,450 square kilometers around and is about 140km North of Tokyo. I haven't found out any information about my second host family; however, I know I will be staying with them for the rest of my stay. I'm sure I'll find out more information about them very soon! I'm really excited to know this information! I'll definitely keep you guys updated as soon as I find out more about my host families! 

Pre-departure Orientation!

Pre-departure Orientation!

Yesterday was my pre-departure orientation, and I think it went pretty well. There were three other girls there, all going to different places! Our adviser had us start off with a drawing activity; she had all of us draw, with our non-dominate hand, our exceptions and concerns for our upcoming experiences. I thought that it was an interesting activity because it gave us a challenge we had to overcome. And our adviser had our parents observe us as we drew. It was a nice way to start of the meeting. After we all discussed our expectations and concerns, we took a break to eat and mingle. Once that was all over, we did another activity. This time, our adviser gave us a sheet of scenarios that could happen during our trip. We discussed each scenario and afterwards were given a packet about health and safety while abroad. We went over bits and pieces of it; most of it was common knowledge. Next, she gave us a "Pre-departure Worksheet" to do when we get home. It just has some things that we should know while we're abroad: Languages spoken, typical foods, expected temperature(s) during our trip, neighboring countries, size, etc. Finally, she had us do one last activity before we left: write a letter to ourselves for when we feel down while abroad. She had us write the letter and seal it in an envelope, and she made sure to note that we should pack it in our carry-ons for the plane ride. The meeting didn't take as long as I had expected; It only lasted about two hours. But, now I'm even more excited for my studying abroad trip!

How close are you to your tuition?

Oh goodness! We are about $1,047 away from having my entire tuition paid off! I'm so glad we're so close to our goal! And I would like to immensely thank everyone for their donations and support!! 

~Arigatou Gozaimasu Nee~

New Widget!

New Widget!

Hey guys! I've recently put up my brand new widget, after a very long wait. But nevertheless, it's up and ready to be used! Actually, I'm helping test the new widget before it is released to other AFSers to put on their blogs! :) As an incentive for helping out, AFS has promised to match every donation I receive (that's not from an immediate family member) up to $250! (But each donation has to be less than $50.) 

How far are you from your goal?

I am about $3,561 from having my entire tuition! :) And I'm really excited. I am just waiting on a check from Applebee's from when they did a Dine-to-Donate for me in April. I'm so close to my goal! Thank-you to everyone who has helped me every all way, shape, and form! 

Progress!

Progress!

My fundraising is coming along nicely! Tuesday was the Dine-to-Donate at Applebee's. I'm not sure yet how well it went over, but I have a feeling it went well! Next week Tuesday, El Salto is also doing a Dine-to-Donate. All you have to do is mention that you would like to participate in the event and 10% of your bill will go towards helping me reach my dream of studying abroad! Hopefully, that will go over well too! Then the week after that, Culver's is doing one as well. Also, I just received $500 from Pratt Industries towards my tuition! Thank you to all that are helping out with my tuition so that I can travel abroad for a semester. And thank you all for supporting me!

~Domou Arigatou Gozaimasu~

How's Your Fundraising Going?

How's Your Fundraising Going?

It's coming along great! I've got a Dine-to-Donate on April 2nd, 2013 at Apple-bee's! And hopefully, that will help a lot in raising my tuition. El Salto is also doing a Dine-to-Donate the week after on April 9th, and the week after that Culver's is doing on as well.  My parents and I are also having another raffle from March 14th through March 31st! We're raffling off three Cubs tickets as a first price and a $20 Walmart gift card as a runner-up price! I really hope all of this will help to push me over the edge to my goal of $12,500!

How far away are you from your goal?

I am a little under $5000 away from my entire tuition! It's so wonderful. I'm super thankful to everyone who donated and to everyone who's been so helpful with fundraising! 

How'd Your in-Home Interview Go?

How'd Your In-Home Interview Go?

I think the interview went very well! An AFS staff member came to my house around eleven in the morning and interview both of my parents and myself. It lasted about an hour and a half, or so. She asked a lot of questions; mostly about my schooling, my activities, and things along that matter. All of her questions, of course, were geared towards helping find me the perfect host-family while I'm studying in Japan!

Are you nervous to be studying abroad?

Oh goodness, I am! But at the same time, I'm very excited to be studying abroad. I know it will be an experience I'll never forget! There's also so much to look forward while I'm in Japan: the sights, the activities, and so much more! 

So what else have you been up to?

Well, I've been contacted by the local newspaper recently, so that's new! I got an email with a whole bunch of questions for me to answer, so that a person can type up a wonderful article all about my traveling abroad dream and print it in the newspaper! I've been really excited about this, and I'm even more excited to read the finished article! I'm not sure about when it will be in the paper, but as soon as I know, I will let you know!