My time in Japan could be categorized into three different sections, all with significant contributions to how my perspective on both my host country and my home country changed.

The first section I would label as class time, which puts emphasis on the “study” in study abroad. I had preconceived notions on how Japanese students studied, imagining a strict environment in which everyone was expected to behave in a uniform manner. The classes I attended, however, were far from strict. I spent time socializing with students about the difference between Japanese and American culture in a relaxed environment where everyone was comfortable. For example, we chatted about the difference between the sports field of Japanese and American high schools, drawing conclusions about their cultures from just a few google map images. At other times we would talk about what our interests were and find ways to break the ice, pushing everyone far out of their comfort zone but still appreciating the experience.

The next section I would classify as experience-oriented time, in which we would leave the classroom behind and spend our time visiting historical sites and immersing ourselves in traditional Japanese culture. I can still taste the bitter matcha when I recall participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, and how my knees ache from having to hold a specific sitting position. Even so, it was a wonderful experience that allowed me to draw connections between how the tea ceremony was performed and how certain Japanese values were highlighted through it. Furthermore, I was given the opportunity to wear a traditional Japanese yukata as I traveled through a place known for their various shrines, Kyoto. Dressing so lavishly for no event in particular, I walked around Kyoto and engaged with others undergoing a similar experience.

Finally, the last section would be named leisure time. Given the opportunity to explore Japan without a strict itinerary, I visited numerous restaurants, stores, and other places of entertainment. My favorite activity, however, was making onigiri from scratch in my friend’s apartment. From cooking the rice to forming it into pyramid-like shapes, I had a wonderful time cooking with friends while engaging in a cultural exchange. I remember how shocked I was when the rice clumped together so easily, as opposed to the dry, less sticky rice I am used to.

My time spent abroad had a focus on spending time as if I were a college student in Japan, attending classes, occasionally traveling on field trips to a soba shop or local shrine, and spending the evenings surrounded by friends getting something to eat after a long day of work. It was an experience that is similar to my time at MSU, but with a different setting, making me realize that Japanese and American cultures have a lot more in common than I could have imagined by just looking through a screen or reading online. It is an experience that I wish to undergo again and again, learning something new every time.

Name: Mykalyn Peguese
Status: Junior
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Macomb, Michigan
Program: A Day in the Life of Japan