When looking back on the many memories of SJMC Japan, it is bittersweet to reminisce on the many fun moments and adventures I had with my classmates.
For a while, I had been going back and forth about whether or not I should commit to this program. I was first introduced to it by Professor of Instruction Gilbert D. Martinez during his media law class in 2024. it stayed in my mind, and I was eager to try to accomplish this goal.
In an extremely spontaneous act, I applied for the program three days before it was due. I will forever be so grateful that I made this decision and did not decide that this was too late for me. The anticipation began, and I could not wait to experience Japan with people that I did not know would make such an impact on my life. Though I was eager for many of my own dreams, I am happy to have experienced hidden gems along the way.
One of the earliest memories of the program was our first night out in Asakusa. All of us were so happy to finally be in Japan, having our first ramen meal, staying out late and just wandering the streets, taking in the exciting shock of officially being in Japan and having so much to experience in the next 13 days.
Most of my favorite memories in Tokyo all happened in Shibuya. We could not contain our excitement or awe as we crossed Shibuya Scramble Crossing for the first time. Staring at the wave of people rushing through, taking pictures and filming interviews as they go. The neon signs and billboards add to the whole that Shibuya is, creating the perfect scenery for the nightlife district it is known to be. The best memories of the trip were shared over meals in izakayas and wandering the many brightly paved streets of Shibuya. One of the best nights was when Vince, Stefan, Amanda, Nat and I all got a pair of Onitsuka Tigers sneakers as a symbol of the great new friendships we built with each other.
Another exciting experience we had was the Japanese baseball game (Yomiuri Giants vs. Rakuten Golden Eagles). Japanese baseball is very different compared to the normal Houston Astros games I love to see. We had such a great experience with all of the pre-show performances, as well as exploring the stadium grounds that offered many fun stores, restaurants and even an amusement park.
As the rush of Tokyo left and we took the first bullet train to Hiroshima, I did not know what to expect and was very nervous to leave the city I had just gotten so familiar with. However, I quickly began to appreciate the simplicity of Hiroshima compared to Tokyo.
Miyajima Island ended up being one of the best experiences. I had so much fun getting to see the shika deer and experiencing the iconic floating torii gate. Many of us chose to ride the gondola and explore the mountain. It was very spontaneous and extremely tiring, but I will never forget the gorgeous views during the climb and getting to ride up the mountain, conquering my fear of heights to be able to experience everything I could.
Though a heavier and more emotional experience compared to what we had before, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was an experience I will never forget. As hard as it was to walk and read the tragic stories of survivors who lost loved ones and so much more, I am so grateful to say I experienced something so historically important and can share my knowledge. This tragedy should be talked about more, keeping awareness in the world is important to not repeat a horrible history.
As a matcha lover, Kyoto was easily my favorite city as it is the matcha capital of Japan. Welcoming us with a traditional look into the cultural aspects of Japan, many interesting experiences were had in this great city. One of my favorite memories in Kyoto was visiting the beautiful Kiyomizu-dera Temple and getting to drink from the fountain, hopefully granting us with success in academics, love or health and longevity. Vince, Stefan, Amanda and I all drank from the fountain together. There was so much joy and excitement between us as we shared such a great memory.
Something I loved throughout the trip was that our trips to konbinis (convenience stores) never stopped. In each city, we would take a trip almost every night, trying new snacks, being sure to grab our favorites, and always snacking on ramen and smoothies. Late nights in the konbini were always the most fun. It felt like sweet little adventures as we tried to find the perfect snacks to stay in for the night.
One of the most unique experiences we had was the Japanese tea ceremony. Wearing a kimono for the first time felt surreal. It was such a great experience and the perfect way to end the program. It was bittersweet knowing this was one of the last activities to do with the group, but I am so happy to have enjoyed it with my favorite people.
SJMC Japan will forever be one of the greatest experiences in my life. I will forever miss it and all the memories shared here. I cannot wait to visit Japan again and be able to reminisce on everything we did.
It feels even better knowing we had so much fun while also tackling school work and growing as successful travel journalists. I will cherish every memory as well as the lifelong friendships made during the study abroad program.
Thank you, SJMC Japan.
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