What inspired you to travel abroad?
I wasn't sure what I wanted to study in college, so I decided to figure it out while I went abroad. And I'm very glad I did. It has enriched my life more that I could explain.
Why did you choose LEX Language Project?
I was always interested in different languages and cultures, so LEX, which strives to create a multilingual environment, community, and multilingual individuals, was the perfect place for me to be.
Some Japanese friends and me.
What was your favorite part about Japan?
Tokyo is so clean and organized! It's mind blowing. Approximately 20 million people are in Tokyo during the day, and everything flows efficiently like clock-work.
What advice would you give to first-time travelers to Tokyo?
Tokyo is a very unique place, with a culture and customs that aren't found anywhere else in the world. A first-time traveler should definitely do some basic research before going in order to better fit in with the culture, particularly when it comes to riding the subways, hot spring etiquette, etc. Japanese people are very polite and will excuse any social faux pas made by foreigners, but it would still be considerate to familiarize yourself with Japanese customs before going.
What was your favorite thing to do in Tokyo? Do you have recommendations for future participants?
My favorite thing to do in Tokyo was to walk around the city. Tokyo is so large and clean—it's amazing! I was also very impressed with the way nature and history existed in harmony with the bustling city. I would recommend future participants visit Yoyogi Park or Shinjuku Gyoen to experience beautiful Japanese nature within the city limits.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Not being able to speak any Japanese at the start of my internship, and returning home speaking Japanese one year later is definitely something extraordinary.
At the LEX office in Tokyo.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The LEX staff was very responsive and supportive to any inquiries or issues I had. I felt safe, comfortable, and content the entire time I was in Japan. All pre-departure services were provided by the LEX office in Boston. They helped organize the necessary paperwork to obtain the visa, and all I had to do was take the paperwork to the nearest Japanese consulate. The Boston office continued to check up on me on a monthly basis via monthly reports during my time in Japan.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I ate way too much when I was abroad! I wish I would've found a gym. That way, I could continue eating the delicious Japanese food at the rate that I wanted, without gaining extra weight.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
There was no "typical" day for me while I was abroad, because my days were different all the time. My weeks were always filled with meetings, conferences, school visits, etc. If there was a day without anything planned, I went to the office from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and worked on various projects.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
LEX has a large community of people in Japan, so it was easy making friends. I enjoyed spending my free time exploring different parts of Tokyo with my Japanese friends the most.
Some more (shorter) Japanese friends and me.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed with two Japanese host families while I was abroad. The best thing about it was getting to experience Japanese life from the point of view of an actual Japanese family, instead of an outsider.
Did you experience any culture shock in Japan? If so, how did you cope with it? If not, why do you think that is? Do you have any advice for participants experiencing culture shock?
I didn't experience any culture shock in Japan because I was just so excited to be there. Everything was so clean and convenient, that I didn't feel a need to feel uneasy. I did, however, experience reverse culture shock when I returned to the U.S. After living among polite and reserved people in Japan, Americans seemed too loud and friendly. For any participants experiencing culture shock, I recommend they stick through it. The shock will go away and a wonderful adventure awaits on the other side.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
The quickest way to grow as a person is to do the things that scare you. There were plenty of times abroad when I was afraid to something, but I did it anyway. I did it scared. What resulted was the biggest boost of confidence that has lasted me a lifetime.
Would you recommend LEX Language Project to others? Why?
Absolutely. LEX is very organized, professional, and FUN.
The LEX office is located in Shibuya!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit is being able to open up your mind in a way that cannot happen when you're at home. You can read all the books there are about Japan, but you won't "understand" Japan until you're physically there. This is also true for any country.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
It has enriched my life beyond measure. It has made me more open, friendly, and understanding of different people and different customs.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is travel that enriches your life in some way.