Class: 2027
Concentration: Psychology
House: Quincy
Hometown: Stratford, Connecticut
Favorite Japanese food: Gyudon
What connections to Japan, if any, did you have before coming to Harvard?
I had never been to Japan before, or had any friends from Japan. My main connection to Japanese culture was that I liked anime and manga, which precipitated an interest in Japan and Japanese culture in general. This led me to take Japanese classes at Harvard with the intent of going to Japan at some point.
What drew you to Japan, and how did you decide to apply for an internship at Showa Women's University?
I knew coming into college that I wanted to learn the Japanese language, so I took Japanese classes my first two years at Harvard. My interest in Japan only continued while taking Japanese, and I knew I wanted to go to Japan the summer after my sophomore year, so I looked into various opportunities the Reischauer Institute offered for spending a summer in Japan. Since I have an interest in working with women, and wanted primarily to go to Tokyo, the internship at Showa Women's University working with college-age young women seemed like a great option.
What was daily life like in Tokyo?
It was truly amazing. My internship was 10 am to 4 pm every day, so I had plenty of time to go out and explore Tokyo every afternoon if I wanted. A typical day looked like waking up and getting ready, going to my internship, trying different Japanese foods for lunch every day with the other interns, and then heading out for an adventure in the afternoon. This either meant finding a new coffee spot, restaurant, or shop in Sangenjaya, where my internship was located, or branching out and taking the subway to another part of Tokyo to see the city. I spent a lot of time exploring Shibuya since it was so close by, and that was fun.
Was there something new you learned or an interest you were able to explore by being abroad?
This was my first time abroad at all, so that in and of itself was an experience I was excited to be able to have. It was great to be able to live by myself in a foreign country, while also being able to spend time with friends from Japanese class who were there at the same time. I think one fun thing I was able to explore in Japan was my interest in Japanese art products. I have always liked to draw, and when I was in high school, I used to watch Japanese YouTubers draw manga and illustrations. While in Tokyo, I was able to visit and purchase art supplies from one of the stores a Japanese artist YouTuber I used to watch would go to, and that was a very fun experience.
What are some highlights from your summer?
One highlight was getting to go shopping in Harajuku on the famous Takeshita Shopping Street. Although it was always very busy and filled with people, it was such a fun experience to check out the different shops and buy different Japanese trinkets and products. Another big highlight was being able to shop in Don Quijote, especially in Shibuya's Mega Don Quijote, as there is no other store quite like it. It is very large and the layout is confusing and packed with many items, but you can buy quite literally anything there, and it is mesmerizing to simply browse the amount of options. Another highlight was visiting the Tokyo National Museum. I really enjoyed looking at the historical art pieces and artifacts of Japan, especially statues from very early time periods. I also enjoyed visiting the Ghibli Museum, as it was very cool to view art from the production process of making Ghibli films as an anime fan.
Was there something that surprised you about living in Japan?
I found certain aspects of Tokyo very surprising. One that stuck out to me was just how frequent convenience stores and drug stores are. One can walk down the street in Tokyo and pass by a Family Mart and then two minutes later walk by another Family Mart. Compared to Cambridge, where this is one CVS, this was quite new. In a big city like Tokyo people are commuting via foot all the time, though, as opposed to more people driving here in the States, so I suppose it makes sense for convenience stores to be so "convenient," but it was surprising and not something I was used to when I initially arrived.
What advice do you have for others considering going abroad?
Do it! Harvard makes it easy to study abroad or do an internship in another country, so now is an amazing time to go abroad. Tokyo is a great place to go if you want to experience both popular and historical Japanese culture, as you get the big city excitement while being able to explore many temples, museums, and opportunities for cultural immersion (like tea ceremonies).
How do you plan on continuing to stay involved with Japan while at Harvard?
While I am no longer taking Japanese classes, I still look forward to participating in Japanese cultural events and events hosted by the Reischauer Institute.