My Trip of a Lifetime

Brynn & Pikachu

by Brynn

From March to January 2007-2008, I embarked on a year that would change my life forever.

Japan, ever since I was little, has pulled me to it. It had a very particular attraction about it. I can’t explain it, but for some reason, I vividly still remember the first time I saw a statue of a geisha in the window of one of those Asian stores when I was about six years old. When I got the opportunity to go aboard to Japan for ten months through an exchange program called Youth for Understanding Canada (YFU), I jumped at the chance. I vividly remember the day I was accepted. I jumped, I screamed, and almost crushed my mom when I hugged her, but I knew I was going. I was really going to go to Japan.

The flight was a long one; all thirteen hours of it. When I finally caught sight of the beautiful city lights of Tokyo, Japan’s capital city, I was in awe. My exchange year however, was not to take place in Tokyo, but in Osaka, Japan’s second largest city. Located in the south of Japan, with a population of just over 2.5 million, I knew I would have a few things to get used to coming from such a little town. I was placed with a host family in a small town just outside of main Osaka. I had two siblings, which for an only child like me, took some getting used to. The grandparents also lived with the family, making it a family of seven including me. I quickly settled into their tiny home and hit the books, looking to improve my Japanese language skill as soon as I could. I struggled with it. The complexity of three alphabets, ‘politeness levels’, and countless grammar rules and acceptations to the conjugation of verbs; on top of that add the dialect spoken in Osaka, Osaka-ben, which had a whole new set of rules. I took it in stride, messing up time and time again, laughing and learning along the way.

Together, we explored neighboring cities with trips to Kyoto and Nara to see as many of Japan’s famous temples and shrines as possible. In the summer, the family took a trip to Hiroshima, the site of the nuclear bombing in World War Two. I will always remember what I learned from my host family, and I will never forget all the wonderful things they did for me.

A month into my exchange, I entered school. Located an hour and thirty minutes away, it required me get up at 5:30am every morning from Monday to Friday in order to catch my rush hour train. Packed like sardines in a can, I commuted to school in my cute little school uniform with my MP3 player blasting my favorite Japanese pop tunes. My school was known for the art and international exchange opportunities. Amongst sixteen to seventeen year old students, I definitely stood out with my blonde hair and blue eyes, earning me many ‘Look, a foreigner!’ shouts and stares from my classmates. They were fascinated with their little girl from Canada, and I was an instant star. Despite that, it took me awhile to warm up to them, not used the attention or popularity. Luckily, I eventually found a great group of friends whom gave me so many memories, and whom I now miss terribly.

Taiku-sai

My school hosted many events throughout the year. One was taiku-sai, or Sports Festival. As much as I cringe at the sound of the word ‘sports,’ it turned out to be something totally unexpected. Students competed in sack races, tried to grab hanging bread with their mouths, and stuck their faces in flour to find candy (that was my event by the way). The main event required all students to perform a dance together. I rocked out loud with my classmates to perfectly coordinated dance steps; a step to the left here, and twist there. Why you might ask? For the pure fun of it of course!

Bunka-sai, or Culture Festival, was my favorite event. Each class put on a play or made a display, and invited friends and family to the school for food and fun. It made me wonder, why don’t we have something like this back home? I really felt apart of everything, as everyone had to work hard together to get things done. My senior class' Little Orphan Annie play is something I will never forget! Through my school, met many wonderful people and experienced so many things like visiting elementary schools and even getting an opportunity to visit South Korea! Thank you, Matsubara High!

My exchange wouldn't have been complete without my friends from all around the world. Together, we took on Japan’s new and strange culture together, facing the same challenges as we worked our way through the greatest year of our lives. We explored Osaka together, hit the karaoke bar, saw a few concerts, shopped until we dropped, supported, encouraged, taught, and learned from each other. I am proud to say I have friends in the USA, Thailand, Finland, Sweden, England, Germany, Austria, France, New Zealand, Australia, and of course Japan, whom I love to death and plan to visit some day.

I experienced so much during in Japan, but it is difficult to explain the personal growth that came with it. I gained an independence and personal trust in myself, and learned to put myself out there and learn new things. I became much more patient and open to other people and their cultures, recognizing it is not just the way I think that matters. At times it was very difficult. Being away from home for that long is not an easy thing to do. You grow up very fast, as you have no choice. You learn to believe in yourself, but most importantly, you learn to love and be proud of yourself. Then, when you come back, you return to the open arms or your friends and family, and feel like you could take on the world. I am extremely thankful to Youth for Understanding, my host family, and my friends for my experience; an experience that will last a lifetime.

There is a different world out there, but that doesn’t mean it’s weird. It’s fascinating, and there is so much to learn. I have just begun to experience it all; barely scratched the surface. The opportunity to travel and meet new people is one that should not be passed up. Cultural understanding is one of the best gifts we can receive- and give. Remember, ‘the world is a book. Those who don’t travel have only read a page.’

Interested in seeing what YFU has to offer you? You can find our website here!