Some of my favorite foods here include dishes that are popular back in the US, like sushi and ramen, but they also include some lesser known dishes, like abura soba and udon, which are both noodle dishes, and gyudon, a beef and rice dish. Whenever I meet someone new here, the first question they usually ask me is what my favorite Japanese dish is, and they're always delighted to hear that I'm a fan of Japanese food.
Being here in Japan has been tremendously beneficial for helping me speak Japanese better, which in turn has allowed me to chat and make friends with so many more people than if I only spoke English. If any of you have an interest in learning a new language, I would highly recommend it. It's easy to get started on an app like Duolingo, which even makes the learning process fun! Spanish class in school might not be interesting, but I promise it's so much fun being able to talk to all sorts of different people and hear about their stories.
It's been a pleasure being able to write for and work with this class on my journey in Japan. This whole experience traveling abroad and documenting it has been enriching for me, and I'd recommend that if any of you get the chance to go abroad to another country, you should definitely take advantage of that opportunity. I hope you all enjoy your time as the school year is winding down, and that you have a great summer!
