Elders sweeping the streets, personal hand towels, and broad public recycling observed during study abroad in Japan.
– Rosemary King, SPC Student, Japan Program, May 2019
Visiting Tokyo, Japan was a dream come true. I was a little hesitant because of the cost, but with the help of a scholarship from the SPC Foundation, my dream occurred.
Japan is unique because of its limited space, cleanliness, and people in general. Everything is smaller; housing, pets, toys, just about anything you can think of is tiny.
Efficiency
Because of their limited space, buildings have basement shops and rise up multiple levels. I visited a few shops that sold just about everything you need. This is common for their stores. As an example, they would sell food items on the first floor, pharmacy items on the second floor, clothing on the third floor, luggage on the fourth floor, cleaning supplies on the fifth floor, etc.
7-Eleven became a favorite spot to grab something quick. I did not understand why other tourists raved about the 7-Elevens until I visited Tokyo. At 7-Eleven, you can purchase really good fresh foods (sandwiches, dinner meals, snacks, and even alcohol). I also used their ATMs, purchased Disney Tokyo tickets, and purchased souvenirs there. Most of the 7-Eleven employees knew enough English to help with just about any requests.
Cleanliness
The city and surrounding areas are extremely clean. It was so different from the United States. The elderly were outside sweeping the streets. I even saw a few police officers sweeping their areas and keeping an eye on the public. The cars and other motor vehicles either used hydrogen or were electric, thus keeping their air clean and pure.
Japan is a very recycle-conscious society. Recyclables are put into specific bins (plastic, glass, metal, and combustibles) and are disposed of daily. It was a little confusing at first, but after watching the locals, I was able to properly dispose of my items. Even the liquid from drinks is separated into a bucket, thus keeping the combustibles dry. Each person carries their own hand towel, thus reducing the paper waste in bathrooms and other locations. Trashcans are a rare sight. Everyone takes his or her trash with them, so I kept a bag for personal trash in my backpack.
Amazing people
Lastly, the people were amazing. With the help of Google Translate, I was able to talk to our taxi driver and had a wonderful conversation. The Japanese people are a polite society and very shy. When I paid for an item, the money was treated as a “gift” and bows were exchanged. When I purchased souvenirs, the cashiers were more than helpful on counting out the correct payment.
The only thing I found a little sad was that the Japanese people are so polite that they do not talk to each other. On the subways, in restaurants, in the video arcades, and other locations, they just sit quietly by themselves. With their younger population shrinking, this might cause changes in the future.
Overall, I am thankful for the study aboard opportunity at SPC for allowing me to visit my dream country. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to discover myself and live my dream.
– Rosemary King, SPC Student, Japan Program, May 2019
Thank you for sharing Rosemary!
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