1) For my STEP project, I had the opportunity to study abroad in various cities in Japan throughout the month of May. Through the Knowlton School of Architecture’s program, I explored and learned about many of Japan’s most interesting architecture.
2) I have lived in Ohio for my whole life, so exploring Japan and experiencing the world with people my age was life changing for me. With the hostility of the political climate in the U.S., combined with the increase in mass shootings, and bad air quality from climate change, I was beginning to feel as though the world was a dreadful dismal place. I had genuinely begun to lose faith in my future and in people. Japan changed that for me.
From the moment I set foot in my hotel room, I realized how thoughtful Japanese people were. Taking my first shower after 24 hours of traveling, the first thing I noticed was that in the center of the fogged up mirror there was a heated section that was clear and right in my line of sight. The country was clean, and peaceful, and everyone was so considerate of others. Packed trains were silent, so people could sleep. A friend lost a bag on public transit, and when he returned an hour later, it was left as it was. Children in Japan– some as young as 4– were taking trains by themselves across the city. It was the safest country I have ever been to, and it restored my faith in people.
3) Somewhere between skipping across rocks on the ponds in the Imperial Gardens, and singing karaoke with 20 people in Shibuya city, a part of me healed. It was the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. We spent the first 5 days of our trip in Tokyo. The bustle of the city had all of us enthralled. I did a lot of translating for the group, and through that I was able to make a lot of friends. One of the last nights we were in Shibuya, several people expressed that they wanted to sing Karaoke (it’s HUGE in Japan); so I was tasked with translating for the group of 20 and reserving a room. You pay per person, by the hour, and we reserved the room for 2 hours that night. The first 10 minutes was stressful, most of us barely knew one another, but by the time we figured out how to switch the controls to English, we were singing our hearts out to ABBA and Billie Eilish.
In Okayama, we took a ferry to an island called Teshima. It was 90°F, and the UV index was at a staggering 10. As we hiked up the mountain to the Teshima Museum of Art, part of me thought I wouldn’t make it. The group separated into smaller ones, and mine was the first to reach the actual museum. It was a small Dome of concrete, nestled on a hill overlooking the ocean. Flustered and dripping sweat, we trudged towards the small entry to the museum. A man greeted us in English, and explained that we must take off our shoes, remain silent, cell phone use of ANY kind was prohibited, and we could not touch the artwork. The last bit confused me a great deal when we entered the Dome. It was seemingly empty aside from some patches of water and people lying down on the concrete. I lied down, letting the cold concrete and shade cool me down from the brutal summer heat. As I laid there, I saw the water begin to move across the floor on its own. Flowing as if it was alive. I stayed like that, soaking in my surroundings for what could have been over an hour.
In Kanazawa, we had a chance to wind down from the bustle of city life, at a traditional Japanese style Inn and Onsen. On a particularly rainy morning, a small group of 5 of us ventured into the smaller city and came across Oyama Shrine. The lush green forest came almost out of nowhere, and the contrast between it and the surrounding cityscape was incredibly apparent. We scaled the stairs, and walked to the foot of the large pond. Watching as koi greeted us at the waters edge. Although it was raining, my heart felt warm as we hopped across the rock path through the pond. Surrounded by friends and the beautiful land, I really did feel a part of my soul heal.
4) Since leaving, I have realized that I would really like to live and work in Japan. I could spend the rest of my life somewhere as peaceful and beautiful as the places I visited there. The trip gave me a wonderful opportunity to improve my speaking abilities, and practice with native speakers. Ideally, I’d like to better my Japanese and return to work in Japan after I graduate.
When I came home, I had a few days to readjust to the timezone before starting a full-time internship with Shiseido. Shiseido is a Japanese Cosmetics brand with a distribution center located here in Groveport, Ohio. Shiseido embodies much of that Japanese generosity and cares about their employees more than any corporation I have ever seen. It is because of this study abroad experience, and the positive experience that I have had with my internship that I know my goal is to work for Shiseido Corporate in Ginza, Tokyo. I plan to spend the next year finishing out my degree, and working with the Shiseido ADC to transition to a corporate position after I graduate. I would not have found this goal without the opportunity that STEP gave me.