The Experiment: Japan: Language & Culture

Going to Japan was something I had dreamed about for a long time. I was introduced through anime and manga, but quickly became fascinated with their history, language, and culture. Participating in the Experiment gave me the opportunity to experience the things I had admired and researched independently. Going to historical sites like Hiroshima Castle, viewing art at the Osaka National Art Museum, and eating cultural cuisine like Takoyaki were memories that I will always treasure. I learned so much about Japanese people by talking to the college students who accompanied us and observing people in everyday settings. This was especially true during the Homestay. Spending time in a Japanese home I got to experience a typical weekend for my family, allowing me to have an authentic perspective of what life is like in a different culture. With my homestay family I got to dress in Yukata and go to a local festival, or Omatsuri. This was the highlight of my trip! Watching Taiko and talking with local residents was such a unique experience. I’m so glad the Experiment matched me with such welcoming and lovely people! Everything from the quiet bullet train rides to the bustling area of Dotonburi were thoughtfully planned by the experiment to give greater understanding of Japan. This program was great for people who want to be introduced to Japanese culture!

As much as I enjoyed the experience, one thing I wish was different was the number of classes we had. For a program called "language and culture" I felt as if we learned so little of the language, though I appreciated the sight-seeing, it was overwhelming compared to the amount Japanese classes we had.

This program was extremely fun and a lot more eye opening than I thought it would initially be, When I first signed up, I thought it would be just a language class and go around visiting historical landmarks, then go to a high school and talk with some Japanese highschoolers and that's it. But, we did things that most people probably wouldn't be able to do in Japan without a company backing them up, such as meeting with local college students and talking to them about almost anything culture related, such as political problems in Japan, how the Japanese view foreigners dependent on their age (the older generation dislike foreigners while the younger generation don't mind/welcome them). and so on..