Japan had always been a location on my bucket list. For the longest time, getting there felt like one of those wishes that’s just a passing thought and not rooted in reality. When I started to hear about the SJMC Japan program and saw flyers, I knew I had to join.
I was mostly excited for the traveling itself, but also the classes! I had felt after a couple of months that my writing skills could use some work as well as my editing practice. Existing in a new environment for two weeks was sure to inspire my assignments and hopefully future projects.
In all honesty, I think the first thing I prepared for was walking. I bought new socks, shoes and athletic tape because my first expectation was that we would walk enough for my feet to hurt. I was absolutely right, but I truly don’t believe any of my other expectations or predictions made me ready for this trip.
By far the most interesting activities we did in Japan was the baseball game and kimono wearing.
I’m a casual baseball fan in Texas. I collect pins from the stadiums I’ve visited, but my favorite team is the San Antonio Missions (AKA Flying Chanclas). When SJMC Japan Academic Program Director Gilbert D. Martinez first bought up the option to go to a Yomiuri Giants baseball game, I knew I couldn’t miss it! I made sure to dedicate my Tokyo reel assignment to documenting the game. I did some slight research before hand on the fan culture, but really nothing could have prepared me for the giant stadium, tons of food stands, and so much merch.
The Tokyo Dome put every American baseball stadium I have ever visited to shame. Each player had their own dedicated chants from giant audience sections of fans. The stadium food was phenomenal with so many different varieties to choose from. Official merch stores were outside and inside the Tokyo Dome, including a small gatcha machine popup selling buttons of the players.
All of this to say, I believe I spent most of my budget celebrating my new second favorite team, the Yomuri Giants.
Later on in the trip, the planned tea ceremony in Kyoto also included kimono wearing.
The opportunity to dress in a traditional outfit while enjoying matcha was amazing. The dressing room staff were extremely nice. I got to pick the color of the kimono and the flowers I wore. The kimono was absolutely beautiful and the process of dressing up was fun! Really, I am grateful for seeing firsthand the process it takes to wear a kimono.
The greatest lesson I took from the program was to appreciate every little thing. The moment is there to be lived in, and I was happy to not be dragged onto my phone every five minutes to pass the time. Every new environment and meal changed my perspective a little bit. I did my best to observe and learn with caution and thought.
Taking everything I’ve gathered, I am so excited to transfer these experiences into my art and work. There’s an even stronger push to consider graduate school now. Higher education has been a strong motivation of mine since I was very young. Therefore, if I am very lucky, I will start looking at master’s programs soon.
In practical terms, my writing and content creation portfolio has an extremely strong standing now. I am excited to share this work with potential teams and employers as well as use the quick editing skills I’ve learned for my own art projects.
There is no best way to say this: I wish I didn’t have to say goodbye to Japan and this trip. My time spent traveling is something I will never forget. Absolutely, I was changed for the better because of this study abroad program. I have a new confidence in my practical skills and a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture.
Thank you to everyone who made this trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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