Gakusei Travels

japan

  • Myth Busters

    Common Misconceptions about Japan Japan is unfortunately subjected to a lot of stereotypes. Taking a contemporary Japanese studies course has really opened up my eyes to a lot of misconceptions about Japan that were taught to me in America. Not only that, but it has also taught me a lot of ideas Japan pushes that… Read more

  • Wake Up Call: there’s an earthquake

    地震が起きた! Disclaimer before anyone reads this, so that I do not cause any widespread panic, first and foremost I am safe. My friends and I are okay. This morning, around 6:31AM JST, I had the pleasure of being startled awake by my phone screaming at me that there was an earthquake. Now, back home, we… Read more

  • Let’s Go to Karaoke!

    カラオケに行きましょう Yesterday, I tried Karaoke for the first time. Sam has been wanting to plan to do this for a while now so that the exchange students can hang out. To be honest, it’s not that I didn’t want to go…ok maybe a little. I’m just not a singer and I fully intended to just… Read more

  • Halfway Point

    二月間後で We’re officially in June! I’ve been in Japan for two months now and I have two months left, so I thought I’d give a little update about class, friends, and my journey so far. Classes for starters are hard. This past week has honestly been a little rough, because everyday I’m studying or taking… Read more

  • Let’s Go to Puroland!

    ハローキティと友達 Today, I visited Puroland with Sam and Licca! Now, to be honest, I didn’t really know where we were going. I had never heard of Puroland and just said yes to going out lol. Basically, Sanrio Puroland is an indoor amusement park centered around Hello Kitty and all her friends. Licca wanted to open… Read more

  • Anime & Video Game City

    次は秋葉原 Finally back out and exploring Tokyo again! Class felt so long this week, and with all my homework, I felt like I haven’t been able to do anything besides study, sleep, and go to class. The next place on my list of places to visit was Akihabara. I did a little pre-research courtesy of… Read more

  • Friendship Festival at Yokota Airbase

    洋食を見つけた！ Prepare for a photo dump! In Japan, there are several American military bases. My sorority sister actually works on the Yokota Airbase, one of the bases near Tokyo. This weekend is the annual Friendship Festival. Basically, the base is open to the public, and civilians can come to see the plans in the hanger,… Read more

  • To the Movies

    日本で映画を見ている Sam and I went to the movies! Recently, the new Haikyuu movie, 劇場版ハイキュー!! ゴミ捨て場の決戦 (Haikyu!! the Movie: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump) released in theaters across Japan. I really wanted to see it, so Sam and I found a theater not too far from campus in Tachikawa. I was super excited just to… Read more

  • Club Welcome

    バーベキューをしましょう I ended up joining a サークル or school club at the beginning of the semester. I wanted to make friends, and while there were so many choices, I ended up joining the Wotagei Club, because my dorm neighbor had been so welcoming and kind to me. She invited me to the club she was… Read more

  • A walk through Showa Park

    日本の美し自然 I’ve been a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. since spring 2022. One of the best parts about being in the organization is all the lovely and amazing women I get to meet who honestly take care of me like I’m their own child. When I went to California last summer, I… Read more