Three Weeks in Japan!

Hi everyone! I have officially been in Japan for three weeks now, and what a time it has been.

The first two days after I arrived, I stayed with my friend and her family. It was great seeing familiar faces in such a new environment. I was practically running on adrenaline those first couple of days, and once they dropped me off at my dorm, everything really set in. The best way to describe it is like when your parents drop you off at college freshman year—everything feels new, you don’t know anybody, and there’s so much to do, but you’re not sure where to start.

Cherry blossoms in Nakameguro

The view of Tokyo Tower when you exit campus!

I would say I’ve adjusted pretty well so far (I’ve gotten the hang of the train system), but I also feel like I’ve reached the point where the “honeymoon period” has started to wear off. I finally spent a few days tidying up, running errands, and reflecting on the last few weeks. I had been out nearly all day, every day, which became a bit exhausting. It was a good reminder that I’m here for four months—there’s no need to cram everything into the first few weeks.

Odaiba Seaside Park

One of the most noticeable differences here is the language barrier, which didn’t surprise me. I think there’s a common misconception that English is widely spoken in Tokyo. While it may be spoken more here than in other parts of Japan, I haven’t had many encounters in English at all. I was terrified to go to the cash register on my first day, but I feel much more confident now! Something that also surprised me was the number of international students at Keio who don’t speak any Japanese. You can certainly get by with English, but knowing even a handful of basic phrases makes a big difference.

Classes began this week, so I’m finally getting into a routine! Some of the classes I’m taking include Topics in Economic History of Asia, Asia-Japan Economic Relations, and Entrepreneurship and Small Business in Japan. I think it’s a great idea to take regional classes when studying abroad, and I’m looking forward to getting deeper into the content.

Wave (another USC IB major) and I on the first day of class!

While it’s been a bit overwhelming at times, my experience so far has been really fun. I’ve met other international students and have also spent time with friends from USC who are studying in Tokyo. It’s been wonderful meeting new people, and just as comforting seeing familiar faces along the way. Overall, it’s been an exciting start, and I’m looking forward to continuing to adjust and make the most of my time here!