For my STEP project for the 2023 year I chose to embark on a study abroad trip in Japan. This trip was very impactful for me as it was my first time abroad and my first real experience with a completely different culture. The shock of being in Japan was immediate as the alien culture and environment attacked my senses. While I was unaccustomed to this new experience I began to realize more and more similarities between the deep cultural aspects of Japan and the more familiar aspects of American culture.
This was an important trip and experience for me to undertake as one can only truly reflect on their own culture and country with the experience and perspective of another. I was quickly able to compare and contrast the similarities and differences when meeting and interacting with the wonderful people and places of Japan.
In our first 10 days of the trip we were able to interact with and explore Tokyo with the help of Japanese university students from both University of Tokyo and Azabu University. These interactions were wonderful and met with joy and interest among everyone. I immensely thank the students of both universities as they allowed us to see a side of Tokyo and Japan from a native perspective. They showed us how they enjoy their free time and their favorite food spots. They truly made us feel welcome. These students showed us the true side of Japan and Tokyo as they took us to immensely popular and flashy touristy hot spots as well as quiet hole in the wall gems.
This trip also allowed us to explore some of the health and environmental issues of Japan and gave us perspective on our own health issues within the United States and lessons and solutions we can take from their experiences. We learned and were able to experience both the not so distant history of issues such as the bombing of Hiroshima, the pollution diseases such as Itai-itai and Minamata. We also learned about the more recent and continuous disasters such as earthquakes, floods and tsunamis.
During this trip we had the ability to see these events from unique perspectives as we toured museums as well as hear personal accounts from storytellers. These personal perspectives offered unique insights that we would not have had the opportunity to experience otherwise. Listening to these storytellers was truly impactful as they lent us their insight and experience from dealing with tragedies such as Minamata disease or the bombing of Hiroshima. These storytellers were able to show us these events and explain their experiences living through them or watching family members suffer the effects. Through these personal accounts we were able to learn more about these times than from reading any article or textbook.
Through various other trips we were able to explore and learn from various facilities and sights that focused on both flood prevention, energy generation, and waste management. These facilities greatly differed from those in the US and allowed us to brainstorm potential solutions for similar problems we face. By engaging and practicing in real simulations we learned how citizens, especially children must prepare for various natural disasters. Living within Japan can be scary when it comes to the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis but by engaging and promoting educational programs, such as the Honjo Life Safety Learning Center, people can learn how to prepare themselves in a fun and engaging way. Such preparation is made evidently necessary as we experienced a minor earthquake early within our trip.
While it was extremely informative and interesting to learn from these experiences, the most impactful moments of the trip were the ones delving in the rich and storied culture of Japan. We were allowed time to explore Tokyo and used this time to visit historic and cultural sites. By going to these sites such as the island of Miyajima we were able to practice cultural practices in a respectful and real way. By learning the worship practices, as well as the values of practicing Buddhist and Shinto worshippers, the cultural value and traditions of Japan became clearer. Such worship practices bleed into everyday life as values of cleanliness keep the streets of Tokyo free of litter and lessons on a quiet demeanor bring an air of respect on the public subway systems.
While I was sad to leave Tokyo I was immensely grateful for the opportunity to see the wider countryside and prefectures of Japan. I believe it is important to see many different aspects of a culture and understand regional differences within a culture.
I am beyond appreciative of this experience to study abroad in Japan and learn both about the differences and similarities within our two cultures but also the issues and solutions of Japan’s public health and safety system and services. This trip has shifted not only my views of the world abroad but also of my views of my own home. I am more appreciative of aspects of my own culture as well as more inquisitive of the challenges and changes that should be made. I have learned an immense deal from this trip and it is one that I would recommend to any student within the public health or adjacent fields. Such a deep understanding can only be acquired from personal and real experience and has shaped personal goals for the future.