tokyo, the cosmopolitan capital

Since sixth grade, my dream was to visit Japan. I thought it was unachievable, and I never thought I would be able to check that off my bucket list before my senior year (thank you so much CIEE). I was fascinated by the captivating anime I watched and the beautiful culture. In fact, I even wrote my sophomore research paper on why America should adopt Japanese methods of education. I fell in love with the cosmopolitan city and its pop culture and technology.

I also hold a lot of respect for Japanese customs. At school and at home, students wear indoor shoes. They take care of the school and learn to keep their environment clean from a young age. I admire the respect Japanese people give for the environment and other people. The streets in the city are very clean because Japanese citizens rarely litter. People do not smoke while walking, and the sick wear masks to protect others from contagious diseases. In class, Japanese students greet and bow to their teacher in unison to show respect and gratitude.

While I'm traveling in Tokyo, I will be respectful and be aware of the different traditions. For example, it is a norm to bow and use proper honorifics to address someone with respect. There are also specific table manners, such as saying “itadakimasu” before digging in. Gradually, I will grow accustomed to Japan and their culture by learning from mistakes I will make and keeping an open mind to understand the different culture.

Japan is such an extraordinary country and I can't wait for the adventures I'll have!