When I first heard about the student ambassador program here at Science Tokyo, I was ecstatic. As someone who is quite the thinker — at times, perhaps even a ruminator — you could say I was more than happy to find an avenue where I could share the countless unique and enlivening experiences I’ve had here in Japan, that too with people from around the world who might one day come to call this wondrous country their home. And now, with me being on the verge of completing my second, and final, student ambassador term, I’d like to present to you, dear reader, this one final blog — a blog that, in a way, has been at least three years in the making.
You see, three years ago, I was a different person altogether. My friends often joke about how they barely recognize me in pictures from back then. And, to be fair, there’s merit to their claim. In my first blog (The Umegaoka Dormitory Experience ), I briefly talked about my struggles in getting accustomed to the extremely long and hilly walk from my dormitory to the nearest station. My indolence, coupled with my ineptitude in the kitchen, meant that I ended up losing a ton of weight during my first year. This was a blessing in disguise, however, as I gradually developed a keen fondness for hour-long walks (although this is only applicable so long as I’ve got my earbuds and that there’s music emanating from ‘em!)
Though there’s still room for improvement, I’m glad to have made strides toward becoming a tad more athletic. From traversing hiking trails to skiing and rock climbing, it’s been an absolute blast pushing myself beyond my comfort zone and discovering new activities along the way. In 2024, I started going to the gym at our university’s Suzukakedai (Yokohama) campus, since it’s free for students, spacious, equipped with a wide range of training machines, and relatively close to my home. The Suzukakedai gym has become quite popular in recent years, with some even preferring it to the one available on the Ookayama campus because of its more varied offerings.
There’s a distinct thrill in getting to experience life in Japan together with others who, like you, are discovering it all for the first time. And trust me when I say this: life in Japan can be beautiful. Picturesque coastlines, beaches, and islands along the Izu Peninsula, Kamakura, and Miyajima; snowcapped mountains rising through the Japanese Alps; active volcanoes in Kagoshima; tropical forests and gorges tucked away in Yakushima; terraced fields covered in paddies across the countryside of Honshu; icy lakes and sleet spread all over Hokkaido; revitalizing onsens (hot springs) across the country; and of course, the grandeur of Mount Fuji towering over Japan almost dead center. As far as the eye can see, it’s a haven for nature-lovers and a feast for the eyes.
Having traversed nearly half the country’s prefectures, I’ve come to the realization that Japan offers something for just about everybody: be it an evolving otaku culture for anime lovers, communities for people with niche hobbies such as collecting stamps or riding trains, an effervescent social scene in nightclubs across Tokyo and Osaka, rural tranquility in Nagano, or something smack-dab in the middle, like the quiet suburbs of Kanagawa, all within arm’s reach of the city.
Looking back, I could have never explored Japan to such a degree without the extensive support system I found here. I am of course talking about the vibrant community of international students here at Science Tokyo. As someone who entered Japan with virtually zero Japanese language skills, it was only through interacting with people who had already acquired the necessary street smarts from living here that I, too, gradually adapted to Nihon no seikatsu (the Japanese lifestyle). Through my friends, I learned countless practical tips and tricks: how to secure cheaper commuting options, navigate the My Number Card system to streamline administrative procedures, save money through PayPay points, discover amazing restaurant coupon deals, try my hand at cooking something beyond pasta and noodles, learn unique and fun phrases in different languages, and much, much more. In many ways, it was my friends who enabled me to live a richer, more complete college life.
For one, I have my GSEP (Global Scientists and Engineering Program) buddies to thank. I’m referring to the ten other wonderful individuals — each with their own idiosyncratic personalities, hobbies, and interests — who arrived in Japan around the same time as I did and have accompanied me in classes over the past three years. For the first two years, we lived in the same dormitory and gradually formed an extremely close-knit group. These are the people who stood by me through thick and thin, both academically and across many other facets of life. The people I explored Japan with the most. The people I travelled with the most. These are the people I’ve shared the most memes with; the people I’ve pulled the most all-nighters with. The people I’ve been to karaoke with on more occasions than I can count. These are the people I’ve grown with — and who, in turn, have grown alongside me. Though our paths will soon diverge as we each get assigned to different labs in our final year, we still live quite close to one another and make it a point to stay in touch regularly.
At the same time, I’ve also grown quite close to several of my GSEP senpai (seniors) and kouhai (juniors). Since each of us progresses through the same curriculum, it’s easy to relate to one another’s struggles while also exchanging advice and the occasional words of encouragement along the way. Sometimes I’ll head over to the dorm with my batchmates to hang out and watch movies with them. We often mingle during our monthly GSEP lunch meetings, as well as at events such as the annual Christmas party and hatsumōde (the first shrine visit of the new year), among others. Some of them are part of the same university “circles” (student groups) as me, while others I’d simply bump into at random university networking events.
Then there’s the Science Tokyo International Student Association (S-TISA). Striving to ease the lives of international students while also fostering communication between Japanese and international students, this organization hosts monthly events that just about anybody can enjoy. I joined them in mid-2023 and have since taken on the role of Marketing Head, and more recently, Vice President. My job is to help facilitate the smooth functioning of each department within S-TISA, though I also occasionally enjoy engaging in my side hobby of graphic design by designing event posters from time to time.
From karaoke nights to picnics and our semesterly welcome party, S-TISA events offer the perfect opportunity to network and make new friends. I even went on my first road trip in Japan and tried my hand at skiing through S-TISA’s member-exclusive excursions, both of which remain some of the most memorable recreational activities I’ve partaken in here. If you’re looking for a community of people who are always up for trying fun things together, or if you want to contribute to improving the lives of international students at our university, I’d highly recommend joining!
I could ramble on for days. Writing this blog now, I’m reminded of the food stall I ran alongside fellow ISA SciTokyo (Indian Student Association at Science Tokyo) members during Koudaisai, the annual Science Tokyo Festival. Or the time a couple of friends and I organized the Tokyo Orienteering event under SAGE, another former student group, pitting participants against each other as they raced across Tokyo’s intricate train lines, completing missions and collecting points to see who could score the highest. From partaking in English camps and Japanese circles to hackathons and chess competitions, you could say I’ve spent much of the past three years simply throwing myself out there, grabbing every opportunity that came my way — and I’m so glad I did.
I’ll be honest: it hasn’t all been a bed of roses. There were lows — a plethora of them at that — and they did sting. Financial hardships. Mental health fluctuations. Heartbreak. A depleting social battery. At times, I didn’t know if these would ever end. That said, whenever an opportunity, a glimmer of hope, came knocking — if a friend asked me to go watch horse racing, or rent a car and drive around Enoshima — I’d usually fold and say yes, even when I didn’t really want to — on the off chance that it might just make things a tad better. And honestly, nine times out of ten, it did.
I’ve always resonated with the Latin expression, “ad meliora” — toward better things. Always. Entering the fourth and final year of my bachelor’s degree, I will soon be assigned to a laboratory in the Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering (TSE) Department. I’m excited to step into this new frontier, as I’ll now be navigating the intricacies of academia and conducting my very own research. Whether this will be my final year in Japan or not, I do not know. What I do know, however, is that I want to continue making the most of the time I have here regardless.
To my fellow ambassadors, I now pass the baton to you. Please continue writing captivating blogs, because I know that, like me, you too have countless anecdotes from your time here that readers — myself included — would be more than eager to hear.
I’d also like to take a moment to thank the administrative staff members at Admissions Center who have guided me throughout this two-year journey as student ambassador. They diligently read through each of my blogs, suggesting ideas, helping me navigate Japanese copyright regulations, coordinating with other review teams, and always getting back to me promptly. It was only after this strenuous back-and-forth process that blog submission could be made possible, and they were the central figures responsible for getting everything uploaded to the website. I will always be grateful for their patience, their swift responses, and the care they took in handling the documentation every single time. I would also like to thank the English Support Team for reviewing each blog, as well as other Science Tokyo admins and professors who spearhead the Student Ambassadors Program.
Lastly, I would like to thank you, dear reader, for accompanying me on this exhilarating ride. If there’s one final message I’d like to leave you with, it’s this: keep going with the flow, and throw yourself out there from time to time. You might just be surprised by where it takes you, three years down the road.
