Into the Mix of Things

The experience still feels so surreal. In the course of about a week, I have experienced so much of Japanese culture firsthand, and I am at a loss of how best to process all of it. I think I need some time still for it to sink in. My 5 day stay at the Olympic Center in Yoyogi has come to an end. Long hours of Japanese crash courses have been the springboard into my first few days of work. We said our goodbyes to our senseis, and we were officially off on our own, keigo-ready or not.

Inahara-sensei! 

A few of the Sendagaya interns decided to walk through Yoyogi-koen and the Meiji Jingu to get to the Sakura House. 1.5 hours of unnecessary walking because we thought it would be too much trouble by bus or train. That was definitely the hardest workout since my cross-country days.

This picture kind of says it all.

I was nervous, I am nervous, I will continue to be nervous. I am adapting slowly but surely to Japanese business culture, albeit a few embarrassing slip-ups with the wrong honorifics and completely inability to understand what any of my co-workers are saying.

At the front of the office

My company produces these magazines that offer guides to schools and programs abroad.

I have been given the honor of giving a speech at the company on 7/3 regarding American university life and UCLA. Absolutely excited. I think fellow Bruins will be there as well as other interns!

I had to make a formal introduction before the company, which was apparently filmed with a small digital camera. Nerve-wracking to say the least. I have been doing small things around the company, but I am really excited to be working with Japanese students who are interested in studying abroad. Many of them have just begun to learn English or some other language, and they are taking the daring step of going abroad. I empathize with their mentality, for I am in an ironically similar situation as a virtually illterate gaijin going abroad. I also realize how rare internships are in Japanese companies, and both my fellow intern/co-worker and I are unusual visitors to the company.

My own laptop and desk space! 

In terms of my living arrangements, I am living at the Sakura House in Sendagaya. 2 stops away from the office, the location is absolutely perfect. I have the fortune of having an authentic Japanese experience by living in these rather small quarters:

Yoyogi --> Shinanomachi (every day for work!)

My roommate modeling his bunk.

It takes some getting used to, but ultimately, this whole experience will be this way. The only way to do it is to throw yourself into the mix. Get shuffled and folded into the mess, and everything, at some point, will become normal.