​Studying Abroad in Yokohama

I landed in Japan at Narita Airport at roughly 3:15pm on a Friday afternoon. I had been to Japan several times before; for my honeymoon in 2019, and again for a holiday with my wife and mother during the 2023 New Year's holiday. This time, though, things were a bit different. It dawned on me as soon as I made the long, now-familiar trek to immigration from my arrival gate that this time, I would be in Japan for an extended period of time and not as a tourist but as a student; a full-fledged contributing member of Japanese society as opposed to just a visitor.

After the hassle of getting through the airport and grabbing my luggage, I  hopped aboard the Narita Express as I had done so many times before. As we approached Yokohama, the sun had nearly dipped entirely below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the skyline as I embarked on a journey that would forever alter the course of my life. Studying abroad in Yokohama, Japan, was not just an educational endeavor; it was an intensely immersive experience, a tapestry of rich culture, and a completely transformative adventure.

 

My initial impression of Yokohama was like stepping into a surreal film set. The city's blend of modernity and tradition was striking. Towering skyscrapers framed the landscape, their neon lights illuminating the night sky, while traditional lanterns gently swayed in the early Spring breeze outside cozy, family-run izakaya. It was a city that seamlessly integrated the past and the future, offering a unique lens through which I could explore the rich tapestry of Japanese culture. The bustling urban metropolis that is Tokyo was roughly 25 minutes away by train; nearly equidistant in the other direction on the same train line was Oiso Beach, a veritable surfer’s paradise that was seemingly unknown to tourists nestled smack dab in the middle of Kangawa’s Shonan region.

 

My academic journey began at Meiji Gakuin University, where the hallways echoed with the hushed footsteps of students from around the world. The classrooms were windows to a world of knowledge, and I was fortunate to have insightful professors who navigated the complex realm of Japanese history, language, politics, and society with clarity and passion. Each lecture offered more and more insight into Japanese culture and language from a lived perspective instead of a typical classroom experience.

 

Outside the classroom, I found myself immersed in an enchanting world that felt like a vivid movie montage. I arrived to Japan in late March, so I was unbelievably fortunate to witness cherry blossoms that painted the landscape and littered the streets of Tokyo and pathways of the forests of nearby Kamakura. It was in this tranquil oasis that I learned the Japanese art of contemplation and mindfulness.

 

Exploring Yokohama and its neighborhoods was like navigating the scenes of a beautifully crafted film. The Yokohama Cosmo Clock, a giant Ferris wheel, offered a breathtaking view of the cityscape, and as I ascended, I couldn't help but feel like the protagonist of my own adventure.  Yokohama Chinatown, with its ornate gates and bustling alleys, was a sensory overload of colors and flavors, reminiscent of a vibrant street food scene from a foreign film.

 

My daily life in Totsuka, a suburb of Yokohama, was a captivating blend of traditions and innovations. Mere steps away from the front door of my dorm building were two konbini (Lawson and Family Mart), four shopping malls, as well as numerous mom-and-pop-style restaurants and fruit/vegetable stands. I discovered the art of the taiko drum via a day-long class as well as the tea ceremony, where every gesture and movement had a profound significance, much like a carefully choreographed dance sequence.

 

Language became my passport to deeper immersion, and every interaction was a dialogue in the evolving story of my life thus far in Japan. Learning Japanese has not been solely about mastering grammar and vocabulary; for me, it has been about deciphering the nuances of a culture that prizes subtlety and etiquette. Being able to use what I had learned up until that point proved invaluable, as I was even able to help friends do things like pay their health insurance, order food, and even cancel their health insurance prior to departing back to our respective homes. From my perspective, each conversation was a small yet significant scene in the grand narrative of my time abroad.

 

Yokohama was not just a destination; it was a captivating, almost cinematic experience. It was a place where the ordinary became extraordinary, where even the mundane scenes of daily life were infused with the magic of a foreign culture. The city's vibrant streets, historic landmarks, and serene gardens played starring roles in my journey of self-discovery.

 

As my time in Yokohama drew to a close, I realized that the true beauty of studying abroad lay not just in the academic knowledge I had gained, but in the rich tapestry of experiences that shaped my perspective of Japan and my desired future there. It was the most transformative experience of my life, and it left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. Yokohama had been the backdrop to my personal epic, a place where dreams unfolded, friendships bloomed, and the world expanded.