Tokyo: From Discomfort to Self-Discovery
- Kaya Siig
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
There is something beautiful that rests amidst the unknowns. I have found that it isn't until you leave the comfort of familiarity that you can fully grasp how vast this world truly is. Landing in Tokyo left me to navigate completely foreign territory, which, in all honesty, was rather intimidating at first glance. However, this program taught me to appreciate being uncomfortable, it allowed me to practice adaptability, and gave me the chance to see humanity from a different perspective.
As this program comes to an end, it's rather interesting to see how much I have changed as a person. Perhaps the greatest gift of study abroad was not just the ability to live in a new place, but the ability to see myself in a different environment, the ability to grow in ways I could not have if I had stayed in my comfort zone. I began this trip feeling nervous—so nervous, in fact, that I almost didn't get on the plane. But through this experience, not only have I gained confidence, but I have discovered newfound friendships, and I have been able to immerse myself in my studies and truly grasp the concepts my professors have been teaching.
My favorite thing about Tokyo is how different it is from what I have always known. Tokyo is possibly the most beautiful city I have ever ventured into; from the greenest of trees and brightest of flowers to the modern skyscrapers above, the colors here in Japan just seem a little bit more vibrant. I have truly loved being able to walk the streets of Tokyo, taking into account how clean the streets are, how organized everything is, and how quiet the city sounds. It has been a complete dichotomy from what is familiar to me. I am used to bustling roads, conversations with strangers, and the ability to be as loud as I want. But here in Japan, I have had the chance to enter a new culture with new values, and that, to me, has been the most valuable part of this experience.
Throughout my time in Tokyo, I have been able to really explore the city, walking through different parks, gardens, and new streets, trying different restaurants, and of course getting lost on the subway. As a class, we ventured through Nikko, a different part of Japan, getting to see the most beautiful waterfalls, lakes, and rivers. Together, we had the chance to enjoy different Japanese gardens, museums, a Tokyo Giants baseball game, and a traditional tea ceremony, allowing us to really immerse ourselves in this new place. A few of my peers and I traveled to Kyoto, another city in Japan, on our own time. As a group, we took on the confusing train stations, bus schedules, and unfamiliar streets, getting to see more of the beautiful country of Japan, including Mt. Fuji, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and some adorable monkeys.
My experiences abroad have truly taught me the value of adaptability and the growth that comes with being uncomfortable. Coming into this experience not knowing anyone else in the program was extremely intimidating; however, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to meet people I would not have connected with prior. I am now confident to say I have made some new best friends, people who have brought out pieces of myself that I had not known even existed, and bonds I hope to keep for years to come.
Being uncomfortable feels far from right, yet I think it's exactly what we all need to learn to grapple with. If I had let the discomfort win, I would be in Santa Barbara right now with the same people I see all year. If I had let the uneasiness of meeting new faces get in the way, I would not be sitting next to some of my new best friends as I write this. If I had allowed the inconvenience of a language barrier to get in my way, I wouldn't have tasted some of the best sushi, ramen, and dumplings I've ever had, or seen some of the most incredible views. Being uncomfortable fostered one of the most memorable adventures of my life. Without it, I would never have known the meaning behind a torii gate, I would never have had the chance to walk inside a Buddhist temple or explore a Shinto shrine, I would never have tasted a delicious 7-Eleven onigiri, and I would never have had the opportunity to apply the lessons of my intercultural communication class to real-life experiences.
The ups and downs of this trip have been equally eye-opening, but I have found that even in the discomfort, there lies a lesson to be found. While APA, my professors, my classmates, and the hostel here in Tokyo made the transition very easy, it was far from effortless. I had to be willing to make mistakes, to feel the anxiety that came with being thousands of miles away from home, and I had to be excited to try new things. While Japan was extremely foreign, it was also incredibly welcoming. The locals here are extremely polite and kind and have taught me a new meaning of respect.
Tokyo has shown me the importance of community, the power of collectivity, and the role we all play as human beings. Perhaps the key to life lies in the values I have learned here; the value of appreciation we give to strangers, the grace we give to newcomers, and the responsibility we all hold to keep the streets clean, to keep the subway organized, to move out of others' way, and to be a part of a team—even if we don't really know each other. I have now learned that being uncomfortable leads to comfort because eventually you realize how special the new can be and how exciting the unknown is.
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