Why I Wanted To Go Abroad
I was very excited to go on this study abroad and learn more about the culture and way of business in Japan and South Korea. It had been my dream to go to these countries, and I couldn’t believe that it was finally happening! Our itinerary looked very appealing and the activities planned seemed like they would help me learn more while also enjoying my time there.
First Impressions
When I arrived in Japan, my initial impression was that the land was very diverse. Looking through the airplane window I could see the rural versus urban areas, and each looked unique. The urban areas seemed very crowded with barely any greenery while the rural areas were beautifully spread out with a lot of green. The city of Tokyo was overwhelming and crowded, but I did expect it because the buildings looked squished together on the airplane. It was very crowded on the streets with people walking everywhere. Public transportation is very prominent and efficient in Japan. I rode the train many times to get to places and the majority of the time, it was packed! Most people living here take the train and walk, which is completely different from the US. Our main mode of transportation is by car which is understandable with how big the US is. Even though this was the case, most areas of Tokyo are very pretty. The flowers that are in bloom in areas are very nice to see.
Business in Japan
I was also excited to learn more about the business culture in Japan and I had the impression that it was very hierarchical. In the US, your job position or seniority earns you a little more respect. However, Japan takes it to another level. The main focus is on age with seniority and position also holding a lot of weight. For example, if your boss hasn’t left work yet, you have to stay back until he leaves. Of course times are changing, and things are very slowly moving away from this type of mindset.
What’s Next?
These were my initial impressions, and I’m excited to learn more about this country! We go to Kyoto, Japan next, and after that we get to go to South Korea! I can’t wait to see what these places have in store.
