This is one of the things I wanted to post regarding the wrap up of the program. Everyone on facebook was posting a lot of different amazing things and this is one I wanted to repost up here because it means a lot to me!  This is written by one of our friends who is from China, already graduated and returned to Japan to do some research. He’s multilingual in Chinese, Japanese and English and inspires me to no end. This guy is proof of hardworking individual who is successful! Anyways I posted his English note and cut out the Japanese since most of the people who read this probably can’t read Japanese.  

Thank you Yo-kun :D

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I feel like I just literally left another world behind.  Thank god for facebook and skype to keep us connected and updated with each other!  It hasn’t completely settled in that I can’t go back to Japan yet though, I still think that I need to run to Seria to pick up things for my closet here in America and I think of Chaterise for desserts. Ahhh!

I don’t want the same routine as last year, so I’m also trying to figure that out as well.  

I’m feeling culture shock left and right. Everything is too big, the food portions, the utensils, the PEOPLE (I forgot how many fat people are here), and hearing so much english is also strange to me.  The good news is I can carry a conversation with my Grandma, mom and aunt in complete Japanese so  I am thrilled! 

It’ll take me a long while to finally settle in, so I’ll be working on that!

Also, most people have said to me, “You better get used to English!” The answer is no. :D  

Looking at all of the closed apartments feels super 冷たい…

I have a friend over from the states though and we shall have more fun over the next two days! I finally depart for the states on Friday.

I realized that the time that I’ve spent here getting to know everyone here has been one of the happiest times of my life. And honestly, it can only get better from here. I’m going to work to achieve their level! I didn’t know how much this experience changed me until my friend came from the states. I’m much more easy-going, relaxed, and think much more about others than myself. I also laugh a lot more, more curious than ever and decided to not give up on Japanese…

People have been writing wonderful things on Facebook too… I think I might transfer that here so I can always look back on it! <3

お疲れ様でした！

The program ended today.

I don’t think I need to say very much more other than I don’t want to leave.  On the other hand, all of the wonderful experiences given to us here has been one of the most valuable times of my life. Thanks to our teachers, tutors, friends we’ve had the best time of our lives.

People over here are so vastly different than the people at UCSD.  They seem much more honest, hard-working, and innocent. Everyone who I have met here genuinely inspires me to improve myself in the long run. Most of my friends and I are a wist deep in internet culture while most Japanese people are wist deep in accomplishing/mastering music, art, language. I really admire their work ethic and their mindsets.  

This experience also encourages me to invest more time into my Japanese.  I’ve decided to pick up my Japanese major (alongside my Sociology) and do my best. Also need to get a super move on in everything else in my life, and I am reconsidering my future careers.

One thing is for sure and I would like to be involved in the international community on campus!

I won’t forget anyone that I met here and I am very happy to say that they will be coming to America next year! I can’t wait <3.

ONTO PACKING. RAWR