Now that my study abroad experience has come to a close, I am left with a lot to reflect on – both about the experience itself and about myself. During my time abroad, I studied hard, made lifelong friends, and explored incredible culture and cuisine. I had become so well-adjusted to daily life in Japan that it was painfully difficult to detach myself and say goodbye to it all.
Student life in Kyoto grew on me more than I’d ever imagined it would. I was able to blend daily routine with extraordinary city exploration in such a way that I could continue my studies while still getting the most out of my city. Kyoto’s diverse urban scene allowed for some wildly different experiences – from visiting religious sites to bar hopping through the night – all within the city’s borders. Kyoto provided the perfect setting to foster my learning and personal growth while I strengthened my new friendships and explored Japanese culture. I most certainly left it with tears in my eyes and a tug in my heart.
Throughout my time in Japan, I saw countless awe-inducing historical sites, works of art, and natural wonders, but still what I know will linger in my heart the longest is the friendships I made there. Adjusting to life in a new university made me apprehensive and awfully nervous, but looking back now, I see that I needn’t have felt that way at all. The lovely people I met ended up being some of the best friends I’ve ever had and really made my experience worth the effort. No matter my love for the city, I can’t begin to imagine Kyoto without them.
The culmination of my experience studying abroad in Japan is making itself apparent now that I’ve returned home and am preparing for another semester at Pitt. I’ve brought back with me many meaningful lessons – both from the classroom and from outside of it. My time in Japan taught me to live life with more courage, taking not even a second for granted. I will forever hold with me the cultural exchanges I had, the lessons I learned, and the people I grew to love.
Thank you for everything, Kyoto!
