How Studying Abroad in Japan Changed My Life

Being bi-racial, African-American and Japanese, I always had a fascination with Japan. Growing up in the U.S, I often wondered what living in Japan long-term would be like. I had visited Japan several times, but often for short periods of time. As a child, I knew one day that I would get the opportunity to stay longer and that I would not hesitate to seize that opportunity.

In November of 2010 as junior at the University of Maryland College Park, I applied to study abroad in Nagasaki at Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies, and by December I was admitted. I will admit, it was one of the happiest moments in my life; I still remember my heart racing when I opened my email to see “Congratulations!”

March 11, 2011

Fast forward to March 11, 2011, an earthquake struck the Tohoku region of Japan, destroying much of the area. I was distraught by the news, but didn’t think much about my study abroad plans being cancelled. About a week later, I received an email from the study abroad center informing me that my program was cancelled. I turned cold and my head was racing. I didn’t understand how an earthquake 690 miles or 1,100 kilometers away had anything to do with life in Nagasaki. Unwilling to accept this decision, I immediately protested and did everything in my power to continue forward with my dream. Not only would this be my last opportunity to study abroad, but the spring semester at Maryland was already half way over, meaning I would be forced to graduate a semester late due to not receiving any credits.

The study abroad office e-mailed me back days later saying that I could go if I signed waivers, so I signed without hesitation. Of course, my family and friends were against it. They were concerned with my safety and urged me not to go. I engaged in several arguments with my parents about the matter, but ultimately, they allowed me to go.

Studying Abroad in Nagasaki

Weeks later, I was on a plane bound for Fukuoka. The next four and a half months would turn out to be life changing. For the first time in my life, I was living alone in my dreamland. Everyday was a challenge and adventure.

Each morning, I woke up with a smile knowing I was living out my dream. Studying abroad helped remove me from my comfort zone, it taught me to take on challenges, see the world from a new perspective, but most of all, it allowed me to recognize there was a life beyond the U.S. I often asked myself “Why restrict yourself to just the U.S.? There is a whole world out there.”

Studying abroad in Japan afforded me opportunities most 20 year olds don’t have. I traveled throughout the country and even spent a few days in South Korea with my classmates!

Life After Nagasaki

When I returned to Maryland in August of 2011 for my senior year, things felt different. I felt as if I was a foreigner in my own country, each day I compared life in the U.S to life in Japan. My entire senior year I was focused on graduating, so that I could one day return overseas. Fortunately, my wishes came true, months after graduating in 2012 I was bound for South Korea to begin a new life. Since then, I have not looked back. Now, 7 years later after Nagasaki, I find myself in Shanghai, China. But, I always wonder, what would life be like had I not gone to Japan in 2011 and gained that exposure?  Where would I be today?

I always tell my friends and family, studying abroad in Nagasaki in 2011 was a turning point in my life.