Gakusei Travels

I can’t believe that 2024 is over. The year honestly felt like a fever dream, and sometimes I find it hard to believe that I actually accomplished all that I did in the past year. Japan was a dream of mine for a long time, and I’m so thankful to have been able to go and study abroad. I made so many memories and friends, and gained so many valuable experiences. And in 2025, I intend to do the same.

I have very exciting plans which will take me on yet another adventure in just a few short weeks.

Drumroll. (lol)

I am now going to Washington D.C. to partake in an internship.

yay *confetti*

I’m so very thrilled about this opportunity. I officially leave on January 26th and will be gone for 10 weeks.

I’m so fortunate to get this opportunity. It actually is so surreal and I hardly believe at times I got accepted. I applied for the position back over the summer while in Tokyo and forgot I did until September when I got a tentative offer. Me being me, I panicked and asked my mom what do I do. She looked at me like I had two heads and was like “Um take it!” It was a very tedious process but the ball is rolling and I officially start at the end of the month. I’ve also already connected with many of the other interns who are in different offices! There’s quite a lot of us.

It was actually my supervisor at work who asked me to continue working on my blog while I was in D.C. So I’m in the process of revamping my entire blog to just be a travel blog of all my adventures rather than solely about me studying abroad. I’m kinda sad I didn’t think to start this blog in 2023 when I was in California, but it’s okay. I’ll keep up writing for a long time!

This will be the 3rd time I’ve been to D.C. The first was for a family trip and the second, I was a senior in high school. So I’m excited to view the city from the a different perspective. It’s always different when you live somewhere compared to visiting. I can’t wait to talk about my experiences around the city and cool activities I do, and I already have a list of things I want to see and try.

Overall, I’m super excited. My mom bought me an entire new wardrobe for Christmas so I can be one of the best dressed lol. I don’t feel nervous this time around, because D.C. is actually the closest and shortest trip. I think I did it backwards. The first time, I went to the other side of the country then the next time, the other side of the world for four months each lol. This time, I feel like a travel pro. I’m also SO happy this time around I won’t have to adjust to a different time zone.

Anyway, look forward to this next adventure of mine! It’s going to be one to remember.