Feelings change

I am sad to leave Japan but I am also looking forward to coming home. I have nothing here to hold me back; my Japanese study component is almost at an end, my UTS projects have all been handed in (fingers crossed for a distinction!) and frankly, I’m ready to go home. Of course there will be things that I am going to miss but I think that feeling of not wanting to leave is slowly dissipating. Instead, I’m looking forward to finishing my last year at UTS, hopefully getting an internship, mum’s cooking and the comforts of my own home.

Any regrets? I wished I studied harder, done better, learned more and took more opportunities to learn Japanese. I’m also slightly disappointed in myself with some of my personal choices about some things but you live, you learn. I also wouldn’t have minded making more Japanese friends instead of always hanging with the international students. That being said, the international students are a great bunch of kids – except Chris…who passed me his fever germies, darn you!

Memorable experiences? Learning how to ski and snowboard even though I got pretty banged up in the process. Traveling around central Japan with Liz, an Australian mate. Finding great bargains at second-hand stores! My birthday party and clubbing after that. Traveling to Thailand, seeing family in Malaysia, spending New Year’s Eve in Singapore all the while shopping in each country. Being horribly sick in Korea while on holidays. Coping with being butt naked in the hot springs. Wishing I hadn’t eaten breakfast before going on the loopy rollercoaster at Osaka USJ.

Looking back at my photo albums, I’ve actually done and seen a lot of things. I’ve been to places that I have never been before and done things that you wouldn’t be able to do in Sydney. These experiences are what I’m going to miss; the constant exposure to a different way of life, to see and live another culture. It has been great and enriching and I thank you, Japan!