STUDY ABROAD: Why you should consider Japan

by Heidi Hawkins

Kyoto at night

When students think about Study Abroad, they rarely think about going to Asia. Most instead want to see the romantic countries, the old countries, places that we have learned about in our History textbooks.

I decided to go a different path.

Ever since I was a child, I have been intrigued by Japan. I grew up loving anime and video games, but as I got older, I realized there was more to Japan than big flashy electronics and animated stories.

Japan has its own version of romance, with its intense history of battles, empires ruled by women, festivals and so much more that most Americans do not know about.

When I visited Japan as part of MSU's Study Abroad program, I was able to see some of the oldest cities in the country, which fostered a love for Japanese history. I went to places like Kyoto, with its temples and shrines. Nara, which was Japan’s first capital, boasts a 50-foot statue of Buddha in a temple that is as large as the European Victorian churches.

People are often afraid to visit East Asia because “they don’t know the language” or “the culture is so different.” But in reality, going to an Asian country is just the same as going to any other non-English speaking country like France or Germany. Those languages and cultures are also quite different, but there are always people who speak English and other resources to rely on. Most major cities in Japan have street signs and maps in English. Many tourist spots also have workers who can speak our language.

Even though Japan and the United States are different, it was refreshing to spend two months abroad. The Japanese are always willing to go out of their way to help people. If you are lost, they will not only point you in the right direction but walk in the direction you need to go. Spending time in Japan showed kindness extends beyond the barriers of culture and skin color.

In Japan, you do not shake hands; you bow. You do not give a tip to people because it is rude. On the other hand, people in Japan do not view slurping and burping as rude, but blowing your nose is against the rules. Things that Americans do all the time -- walking while eating, touching food with our hands, drinking liquids while eating -- I almost never saw in Japan.

After spending some time at home, I have had some time to reflect on the many differences between the two places. Even after being home for this long, I am finding some of my Japanese habits hard to break. I still bow instead of waving or shaking hands. I am used to cars driving on the left hand side of the road, not the right side, which can be dangerous when I am crossing the street! I also have to stop myself from saying “Itadakimasu!” (Thank you for the food) when I eat meals with people.

The experience not only gave me a new love for Japan, but a love for the whole world. There is much more to the country than big flashy names like Sony and Toyota. It has its own culture, its own life. Japan is not scary, but it is different. Sometimes a different change of pace shows a side you normally would not see. I feel I saw a perspective of the world that most people don’t get to see in their lifetime.