ありがとう

Hi
My flight to the U.S. leaves today. The conclusion of this semester brings an end to my study abroad experience, which started over a year ago in South Korea. Studying abroad is one of the best things I have ever done. It was a great decision, and I'm quite satisfied that I went to South Korea first, then on to Japan, and that I chose to extend my time in Japan. Considering timing and various other factors, it worked out perfectly.
I've had a wonderful year in Japan. I will never forget Kansai Gaidai, Hirakata, or seminar house 2. I had a lot of fun and got to know many people. I was able to do a lot of sightseeing and travel, as well as spend time with new friends. I've had a great time. I can't imagine my life without these experiences I've had thanks to being a student at both Kansai Gaidai and Korea University. I can't express how valuable these past three semesters have been to me. Each semester was better than the previous one. I'm so happy I could do this.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Other Pictures (6)

Some pictures from my last couple of weeks in Japan

at one of the bicycle parking lots at the university. my bike is yellow

in the kitchen. I'm going to miss potato and mayonnaise pizza

cake!

shabu shabu

making sushi!

another large parfait

in the seminar house. residents started moving out one week ago. everyone will have moved out by tomorrow night

I've packed all my things. I still need to clean my room for the room inspection.

In Japan

A review and overlook.

Previously while in Japan, before I arrived here in August to study abroad, I had several experiences, including:

• going to a sumo wrestling tournament
• driving up Mt. Fuji and standing on it
• doing a homestay with a Japanese family
• going to a Toyota museum and inside a car factory

Overall, I've been to various Japanese cities, including:

• Nagoya
• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Nara
• Hiroshima
• Kobe
• Tokyo
• Yokohama
• Naha

I've eaten Kobe beef, been to Miyajima, bought a bicycle, saw the deer in Nara, met an atomic bomb survivor, went to a Takarazuka performance, and visited Okinawa.

I've taken a shinkansen three times:

• from Nagoya to Tokyo in August 2010
• from Osaka to Hiroshima in October 2013
• from Osaka to Tokyo in March 2014

I seriously considered traveling up north to Hokkaido this semester, but decided against it. I don't have much time to travel since I'm a student, and I'd rather spend time with the friends I have here than go to Hokkaido by myself just for the hell of it. Besides, I can always come back to Japan in the future and perhaps visit Sapporo then. I also wouldn't mind seeing Kumamoto Castle or checking out Fukuoka, which are on Kyushu. I also want to go to the Studio Ghibli museum. Maybe I'll even travel around northern Honshu someday.

I don't have to do everything during my study abroad time here.

Overall, I'm satisfied. Coming here was a great decision.

About Japan

I was going to make a post like this last year but I never got around to it. Now I wonder if I should even bother, but since I already set aside pictures for this I might as well post them.

Umbrella stands where you can lock your umbrella so it that it can't be stolen

a stop sign

to make the most of the space available

most cars tend to have a boxier or more compact shape

rain water runs down these

everyone talks about the toilets when they come to Japan

toilets tend to come with their own control panel, and seats are often heated to be warm

these things make noise so that people won't hear you. sometimes they turn on automatically due to motion sensors

you can't read Japanese? have fun trying to figure out how to flush

ATMs have closing hours. I learned this the hard way

Speaking of ATMs, very few accept foreign cards. Your best bet is a 7/11 or a post office ATM. Also, it is vital to have plenty of cash on you. You can't pay with a card at most places, and since ATMs that accept foreign cards are scarce, you could very well get stuck without any money.

These are the bills (roughly $100, $50, and $10)

2000 yen bills are rare

Upon coming to Japan, we were advised at the orientation to purchase a coin purse. Coins are useful and abundant. Considering that the lowest amount that comes in a bill is about $10, you'll find you'll often have plenty of coins.

Vending machines! some drinks are warm, which is nice in the winter

Convenience stores have just about everything. Meals can be purchased and heated up, and they sell anything from socks to stationary to snacks to slippers.

I noticed that most stairwells are surrounded by an area where a wall can come down in the event of a fire, which is why doors that don't lead anywhere are randomly there

In addition, I have to say that the public transportation system in Japan is spectacular. You can go anywhere by train, and buses are convenient as well.

Bicycles are common, helmets are not.

Cash is important in Japan. People carry and use 10,000 yen bills, which is about $100. I've ended up having to pay for a ¥300 (~$3) lunch at the cafeteria with a 10,000 yen bill, and was handed all the change. In the U.S., I think paying with anything higher than a $20 bill is uncommon. As far as I know, $100 bills aren't used. But here, don't be surprised if people are walking around with 40,000 yen in their pockets. Since people use these bills with high amounts, cashiers are always careful when counting out your change. They clearly display and count out your change for you, in which they flip through and show you all the bills you are to receive.

Insulation is fairly poor. You can easily hear through walls, and houses are cold in the winter.

The service industry spoils you. Customer service is outstanding. If you're a customer, everyone working for that establishment will be helpful and polite to you.

I suppose there's more I could write about. Or you can come to Japan to see for yourself what things are like :)