Michelle's Travels

Late Nite Shenanigans

Gyoza no Sankumi in Tachikawa with Adam, Shinoske, Kiyoto, and Thomas (not pictured)

I’ve made myself quite cozy in my room now and with the first week of school over, I gained more confidence in learning and exploring the small charms that Japan has to offer. Through the late hours of the night there are small little bars called “izakayas” scattered throughout cities that serve alcohol, food, and energy. Many people go here alone or in groups after a long day of work to have a refreshing beer and catching up with friends or having some me time. It’s more than just a place to have alcohol, but a way to get to know people through food.

It was after watching the movie, Ad Astro (starring Brad Pitt) that my friends and I decided to find a random place for dinner, and we quickly turned to Google to see where we should eat. Although this izakaya was not our first choice, the pictures of gyoza (fried potstickers) sold us. On a rainy day like that day, freshly made gyoza seemed like the right answer, so off we went. Upon arrival we were quickly greeted by the two workers there and seated right away. I noticed that there were only Japanese menus there, so with the fairly good amount of Japanese my two buddies and I know, we were able to place our order and make small conversation with the workers there. In the midst of all this, the workers rustled through their counter to find two sheets of paper with English translations of the food. The English menu was quite worn, but it was really thoughtful of them to find one for us.

One by one the plates of gyoza started coming our way, and the workers helped informed us how to eat it and his outgoing energy was so contagious, it made the food that more warm and filling. The workers spoke limited English, but were more than accommodating, they were welcoming, kind, and filled with energy and liveliness. It made me realize how small moments in a tiny izakaya are memories that are part of my time here. Being able to wander and look for the hidden gems tucked in the busy streets is what makes the travel experience that more memorable. Allowing yourself to have an open mind can lead you to new encounters that you may never have if you just limit yourself to comfort, and experiencing it with company can make it that much more magical. I encourage everyone to try to find their own secret spot and see what you can find.

Settling In

Now that I have all my bags unpacked and bought some essentials for my room, I think that I can finally start my life here in Japan, but I found this past week to be a bit of a challenge. Since my classes haven’t started yet and there weren’t as many orientations this week, my schedule was quite free and relaxed. This was nice for me since it allowed me to take the time to explore the little town of Kodaira, where I am staying, and see the sights and sounds of Kokubunji and Tachikawa that have a little more hustle and bustle of a bigger city. Although it’s not comparable to the lively energy of central Tokyo, it reminded me of my hometown. Little moments like walking out from the stations during morning rush hour and seeing a blur of people quickly heading to school or work were all surreal and new experiences that I am gradually getting used to. The sunsets here also feel different. I am used to the clear sunny views of the Santa Barbara coast, but Japan offers a pastel sunset with streaks of clouds in the sky. When I am lucky to catch it on a train, it’s breathtaking and mesmerizing.

With the free time that I had, I was slowly able to get myself more situated and sort things out; like opening a Japanese bank account or paying my bills at the bank, but in the midst of all of this, I began to miss my friends and family back home. With all this time that I had to myself, it made me realize that I am physically on my own. Despite living on my own at my home university, I lived with housemates who are my best friends and whom I can confide in, and I could always drive 2 hours to be home with my parents. I realized that this transition of being on my own was a bit more daunting and was overwhelming at times. I wasn’t here as a tourist, but as a resident. I have to live my life here for the next year and a wave of homesickness washed over me. I missed my parents, my friends, and my boyfriend. With the time difference, it’s hard to make time to talk to them and I believe that it’s always something that I can work more on while being away. As a 5th year university student, many of my friends have all graduated and moved away, and this unofficial term of “post-grad depression” was hard. To have the majority of my life in school where I met most of my friends and made amazing memories, it was hard transitioning out of it into the adult world where your friends aren’t down the block. They aren’t there to share the same hardships with you, and although I am technically still enrolled, it didn’t make this transition any easier. There were a couple of days where I didn’t leave my room and I felt unmotivated, but I knew that studying abroad here was my dream. I worked hard to make this dream possible for myself, and I wasn’t going to let it go. I knew coming into this year-long program that I was going to face these hardships and that it’s all part of this learning experience. I know that it’s not easy, and that it’s okay to ask for help. Acknowledging and working through these emotions is helping me move forward. I am working on being more self reliant and independent, and I feel a little more humbled and excited to see how I’ll grow and change throughout this process. I know that it’s barely been two weeks, but I feel so grateful for my time here so far. I can’t wait to start school and have a routine in place, but for now, I feel invigorated and refreshed to continue my journey here. Thank you everyone who has made it this far, and I hope to see you guys next week. ❤️

Oh the Humidity!

Yoyogi Park

It’s been about a week since I arrived to Japan and I still can’t believe that it’ll be my home for the next year. I’m starting to settle into my dorm and slowly getting the hang of the train system, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the humid weather. Despite being used to living in 33 C (about 91 F) weather back in the States, the humidity makes the heat intense and almost unbearable, and dare I say miss the dry heat. It amazes me how people can wear full length jeans out in this weather. With this humid heat, here are some things that noticed the local people have on hand to fend off the heat:

Handkerchiefs – I would have never thought that a handkerchief would be of any use, but many people carry them around to wipe off the sweat forming and boy did I pick up that habit real quick.
Parasols – Having one could spare you from the intense heat that comes from direct sunlight and provides UV protection, and who wouldn’t want that! That’s like killing two birds with one stone and I am all for it!
Mini Fan – These small hand held fans can be your saving grace in the gruesome heat. Since they are battery operated and run for less than $20, it might be a worthy investment to keep cool with minimal effort!
Gatsby Cooling Wipes – Let me tell you that these wipes are life savers. These wipes have a nice cooling effect and can also combat the sweaty smell and are perfect for hot summer days. With humid weather comes mosquitoes, and one thing I learned was that they’re drawn to the smell of sweat, so having these on hand is not only refreshing but can also potentially save you from those nasty bites.

Although these may seem like small efforts, together they are can make Japanese summers that much more pleasant. Hydration is always important, especially if you’re sweating it all out, so always carrying a bottle of water is an important habit to pick up! Heat stroke is quite common and can affect anyone, so don’t try to push yourself too hard! Take it easy and stay hydrated!

Hi! My name is Michelle :)

Welcome to my blog! My name is Michelle Trinh and I am currently enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I am majoring in chemistry with a math and science education minor. I am about to embark on a year long study abroad program at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, Japan and this blog is dedicated towards documenting my experience there! From food and travel to my new daily life, I will be sure to share all of that here!

I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it wasn’t for the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarship! They’re a non-profit organization aiming to provide students who are underrepresented to participate in education abroad programs. Without their support, I would not have been able to make this dream come true.

If you are interested in checking out my pre-departure video, here is the link: https://vimeo.com/354759704

And if you’re interested in learning more about FEA and the amazing people behind it, here is the link to their website: https://fundforeducationabroad.org (The Spring 2020 application window is now open! So please do not hesitate and apply!)