I arrived in Japan on September 3rd, a day before the study abroad program officially started. It was the first time I ever traveled to a country by myself and if I’m being honest, I was really nervous. I tried to not let the anxiety get to me since Japan was always a country I have always wanted to travel to, plus it’d be a great learning experience for me in the future. However, as soon as I got off my plane, I realized something – I was alone in a foreign country with no clue what to expect. Looking back, those initial moments did help me grow and eventually I figured out Japan’s navigation and transit system.
I needed to go to the National Olympic Youth Center on the second day of my trip. I didn’t think too much of the bus system in Japan since I felt pretty confident it wouldn’t have been too different from Seattle’s. I took the bus around the Shibuya station so I could make it to the center, but soon realized that the bus was going in the complete opposite direction, so I quickly got off and walked back to the station. Google Maps wasn’t really helpful as I was also randomly losing service. Being in a country that feels alien to me with low phone service and not understanding much Japanese really frustrated and scared me ,but I was determined to make it to the Youth Center. I paid more attention to the bus routes and asked for help from the Japanese citizens with what limited Japanese I knew. Eventually, I was able to get some service on my phone and used Google Maps to find the correct route to the Youth Center. I was really proud of myself for not giving up, especially with the heat and humidity. Getting in the cool and cold bus was a huge relief.
If I could give advice to future study abroad students, I’d say that it’s totally fine to get lost. Arriving in a different country by yourself can be overwhelming, and it’s natural to feel anxious. I was really frustrated that I took the wrong bus, but it helped me learn to adapt quickly and ask for help, no matter how awkward it might feel. If I hadn’t asked for help, I wouldn’t have been able to figure out Tokyo’s navigation and transportation system. Now when I navigate Tokyo, I no longer have this feeling of confusion and anxiety – I’m able to see how vibrant and beautiful the city is, especially at night. If I ever return to Japan again, I’m confident that I’ll be able to navigate the transit system with ease!
