Studying abroad in Japan has been one of the highlights of my life. Getting to experience the food, culture, historic landmarks, and people while creating bonds with fellow University of Alabama students was such an amazing opportunity. The learning we did was almost entirely experiential, which impacted me far more than I expected. We visited sites like the Meiji Shrine, Great Buddha, the Sekigahara Battlefield, Nagoya Castle, Nara Park (I loved the deer!), and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. We also visited several companies, including Shiseido, Choya, Toyota, and Maruya Hatcho Miso Brewery. Through these experiences, we learned about how leadership and culture intersect, explored crisis management and succession planning, and analyzed the lasting impact a leader can have. Shaking hands with the President of a generations-long Miso factory, engaging in a traditional tea ceremony, and standing before the remains of the building beneath the atomic bomb explosion were all deeply moving experiences. I would not have been able to appreciate their significance nearly as much had I not witnessed them firsthand.
Learning about a new culture opens your eyes to so many more perspectives. Japan has an entirely different workplace culture, public etiquette, and education system. At first it was a little shocking to see how quiet and clean you are expected to be (and good luck finding a trash can anywhere!), but there are so many admirable qualities to learn from. Every Japanese person I spoke to was so welcoming and kind, especially the students from Gakushuin University and our wonderful tour guides. It reminded me that genuine human connections can bridge any language or cultural gap. And just learning simple phrases like “arigato gozaimasu” and “sumimasen” made every day communication much easier.
While I regret having to go home, I know the experiences and connections I made will stay with me for life. I am excited to share my stories with friends and family, as well as give them the souvenirs I picked up along the way, so that they can experience a small piece of Japan and better understand why this journey meant so much to me.
