There are so many great things to learn from studying abroad. The most obvious being a foreign language. However, I feel like through this experience I have grown to know myself far better than before. We think we know ourselves until we encounter a situation that tells us otherwise. 

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For example, I truly believed that I had no attachment to Los Angeles and that I disliked the city. After coming to Japan I gradually started to miss certain things about LA; my friends, my family, food, ect. I want to place emphasis on family. Prior to coming I thought I appreciated my family, and also my friends. In fact, I didn’t think people appreciated me enough(SELF CENTERED). I quickly learned how much certain people meant to me and how being away from them was truly painful. I have always been terrible at keeping in contact with people so those friends and family may not realize how much I miss them, but I do a lot. If you are reading this and you think “Maybe I am one of those people he misses?” most likely you are one of those people. 
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On a cultural level, I believed Japan fit me the best. It easy to sit at home, learn about  a cultural through a book and what you see on TV or in a game. We quickly connect with those things and believe they represent the whole country, but the reality of my experience is that Japan does not equal ANIME, MAIDS, and SCHOOLGIRLS. The culture is so complex and in so many ways it does not mesh with my personality well. 

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It has been a long, but at the same time FAST, year that has passed and I have learned so much; about myself and about this country. There is so much to experience in the world and so much to discover in yourself. If there is anything I can suggest to a person it would be to study abroad, to travel, or to go somewhere away from home. It is a humbling experience that will put a lot in perspective for you.

I went through my school! It is the easiest way to get to any foreign country I think. My first advice would be to really look into doing a study abroad, because I think the idea of being in a foreign country sounds nice from home, but sometimes when you get there things aren’t what you expect. If you do a study abroad you get to experience the culture with little expense and if you don’t end up liking it then it is not such a big deal because you go home anyway. It would suck to actually move to a far off place only to find you hate it but are stuck because you committed to the move. Other than that I would really urge you to study your Japanese. I NEVER studied my Japanese and I super regret it because when you get here the inability to communicate naturally is the worst. You want to express yourself and show people who you are but you are limited by your vocabulary.

If you don’t intend to come here as an exchange student, your best option would be to look into english teaching jobs. The most well known is JET and basically they send you to a school and you teach English. The pay is decent, but I think it is less about the money and more about the experience anyway.

 I don’t use skype often and with the time difference it is too difficult to plan times to speak with people. I suppose you can add me on facebook or something and that way I can respond whenever I have time there. 

Birthday, Beer, and PANTIES…lol 

At my birthday party! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! 

SHUT THE HELL UP

*Mother Nature has heard my prayers and it has started to rain and thunder. GTFO cats! get a room*

Less than 3 months before I have to go home! bitter-sweet! I am going to miss Japan but at the same time I am ready to return to LA and see my friends and family.

yes

HAHAH im gonna be in college forever

fuck

It’s all about maintaining, not gaining.

woooooooooooooooooooooo!!