When I first heard about the SJMC Japan trip from a professor of mine, I was immediately thrilled and knew it was an opportunity I could simply not pass up on.
I signed up immediately as I knew that from the trip, I would develop and blossom as a better person and as a scholar. I was immensely fascinated with Japan’s rich deep culture already. So the opportunity to fully engulf myself in their culture firsthand was very intriguing to me. Sure enough, I did do just that!
The first memorable visit for me was the day trip to Kamakura. The change in scenery was vastly different from Tokyo and it really opened my eyes to what all Japan had to offer. The natural scenic landscape surrounding Kamakura included dense forests, green hills and beautifully stunning beaches which were nothing like the bustling city of Tokyo.
Eventually taking our travels to Enoshima Island where my peer, Elian Reyes, and I met Fukushoku Zakka, a small clothing shop owner named Furugiya. Getting to talk to him despite the language barrier was still fascinating as he was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about what he does. It’s safe to say I did not walk out empty-handed, as I purchased a denim tote bag that I had the pleasure of using for the rest of the trip.
In Tokyo, I visited a shop called Hinoya located in the Ueno district, where I found an amazing Japanese denim merchant that is one of Japan’s oldest independent denim and Americana-focused retailers. I finally purchased a pair of Japanese denim from a brand named Burgus Plus and was 14-ounce heavyweight selvage raw denim made using natural indigo dyes.
Along with that, I also had the enjoyment of purchasing a two pack of made-in-Japan whitesville blank white T-shirts. These shirts had all the rave here in America as Jeremy Allen White was caught wearing them during the popular TV show “The Bear.” This was one of the most enjoyable shopping experiences because of how incredibly helpful and kind the staff was. They were willing to help in every way possible and made you feel welcomed into their store. In fact, they ended up posting me on their Instagram and followed me as well.
Rikkyo University is a prestigious private university in Tokyo that we had the pleasure of going to. As a class, we got to meet students there at the university and got a tour of the beautiful campus. When first meeting them, I was incredibly caught off guard by how strong their English language skills were. The time and dedication to learn a new language, especially a difficult one like English, was very impressive and inspiring.
Learning to be more of a traveler and less of a tourist grants great rewards as I felt more immersed in the Japanese culture. Experiencing the local shops and restaurants as well as the popular tourist hotspots gave me a better understanding of Japan and its amazing people. I would have never met my friend Jun, who was a worker at a consignment shop in Kyoto. I enjoyed getting to spend time with a local like Jun, who showed me the great underrated spots in the area. We became such good friends that he is planning a trip to stay with me here in Texas. I hope I can show him the hospitality that he showed my peers and me.
This trip also made my writing far more proficient. It gave me an understanding of how to write from experience and to pay attention to detail. Creating a daily blog post and feature stories was challenging, yet taught me a lot about the ins and outs of travel journalism. I can definitely say that I improved drastically as a writer from this trip.
Getting the opportunity to join SJMC Japan had a bigger impact on me than I could have ever imagined. It meant a lot to me because it opened my mind to different cultures, ideas and other ways of thinking.
This was more than just some words on my resume; SJMC Japan taught me skills that I can use for the rest of my life. Not only did I have a lot of networking opportunities, but I also made lifelong friends.
