It wasn’t until after leaving that I’d think, “Wait, I do need a bag,” or “How am I supposed to eat this katsudon bento—with my hands?” But those blunders never dented my confidence. I went home, taught myself the konbini phrases, and never made those mistakes again. I can now use Japanese in daily life without any issues.
The thing about living in Imadegawa is that I quickly realized it’s not all that different from my hometown—just much cleaner. It’s quiet, has plenty of convenience stores (or liquor stores, as we’d call them back home), and there’s a gym nearby. The familiar rhythm of the city has made it easy for me to recreate the sense of normalcy I had back home and ease into my new life here. Just like I used to do in San Bernardino, I go to class, walk about fifteen minutes to the gym, and grab food at the konbini.
That being said, for me, successful integration into a new society isn’t just about adapting—it’s also about being able to thrive personally and professionally
On the personal side, I’ve made some great Japanese friends, I can get around Kyoto without a problem now and I’ve got a monthly membership at Lifefit gym. As for the professional side—I’ll be starting a part-time job next month at Doshisha Junior High School, helping kids learn English. That experience is going to be critical in helping me determine whether teaching English in Japan is the right path for me.
Joining ESS Club
