Hey guys! So a few people said that I should do a blog about my year abroad in Japan. Well, I'm a bit useless at blogging but I'm going to give it a go so I don't lose all these memories! Expect details of the many culture shocks that I experience here!
Basically I'm a third year student on my exchange year. My home institution is the amazing University of Edinburgh and I am spending my year abroad studying at the beautiful Doshisha University. And yes, my major is Japanese! Although when I tell most people that, they give me a dazed look and say "...I mean... what's your actual degree?". Basically, I feel like I am very lucky to have become well acquainted with the two most gorgeous cities in the world whilst getting to study the language that I love. So when people tell me Japanese is a rubbish degree, I just think to myself 'Can you speak Japanese? Do you get to study abroad on a very generous scholarship?'.
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| Lovely views at Kiyomizu-dera! |
I have been in Kyoto for almost 2 months now and am really enjoying my time here. Studying at Doshisha is hard work and we get lots of homework everyday, but it doesn't stop me from sightseeing! So far I have visited the Imperial Palace gardens (just on my doorstep!), Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Chion-in, Daitoku-ji, Fushimi Inari-taisha and Nijo-jo among other temples, castles and shines! If you are in Kyoto for a day, you really have to visit Ginkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera! They both have beautiful gardens and stunning views of Kyoto!
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| My somewhat pitiful living space |
The first week was really tough but thankfully I had a lot of help from the my Japanese family friends who live in Osaka. They picked me up at the airport, helped me buy things for my flat, and have since taken me out for many amazing meals! It has also been fairly easy to make friends with other international students at Doshisha. I was really worried before I came that I would spend every day sitting alone in my flat, but I've had lots of fun going out in Shijo for karaoke, drinking and shopping with new friends. Wish I could meet more Japanese people though!
Having said that, it seems like I just got past the 'honeymoon period' last week and I miss Edinburgh everyday. Somehow I can't get rid of this lonely feeling. There was something quite beautiful about being alone in Kyoto for the first month or so, but somehow the more friends I make the harder it gets to return to my tiny flat and work for hours on end everyday (seems like you kind of have to if you want to be able to manage the constant tests and presentations Doshisha gives you!). My boyfriend, brother, sister, and best friends are coming to visit me later in the year, and I'm already counting the days till I can see them and ask them to bring up some tea and salt & vinegar crisps! Hopefully things will get easier and I'll be able to enjoy just being here.
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| A few of said friends and me at an Irish bar looking a bit squiffy |
Having said that, it seems like I just got past the 'honeymoon period' last week and I miss Edinburgh everyday. Somehow I can't get rid of this lonely feeling. There was something quite beautiful about being alone in Kyoto for the first month or so, but somehow the more friends I make the harder it gets to return to my tiny flat and work for hours on end everyday (seems like you kind of have to if you want to be able to manage the constant tests and presentations Doshisha gives you!). My boyfriend, brother, sister, and best friends are coming to visit me later in the year, and I'm already counting the days till I can see them and ask them to bring up some tea and salt & vinegar crisps! Hopefully things will get easier and I'll be able to enjoy just being here.
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I will probably laugh at myself when I read these back next year, but I just have to mention them! These are the (mainly culture) shocks that I have experienced so far in Japan. At Edinburgh University, they spend a year giving us an orientation, but there are some things (beyond fancy toilets and the occasional earthquake) that a Brit just can't prepare for.
1) THE WEATHER
'Basically the same as UK weather', they said. This is completely wrong. In Japan, I look sub-human 24/7. It is so humid that my hair frizzes the moment I walk outside. It's hot that I can't wear make-up because it melts down my face. And all the Americans here are like 'omg so cold', when I think it is bloody hot by anyone's standards. Everyone else always seems to look perfect though. Maybe I'm just experiencing the menopause 30 years early or something?
However, we have had several typhoons here in the last month, and they basically just temporarily bring Scottish weather to Japan as far as I can tell.
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| There is a reason that everyone carries an umbrella during September - and it has nothing to do with rain! |
2) WEIRD THINGS THAT FOLLOW YOU AT THE STATION
There is no experience more terrifying than one of these things coming after you when you aren't prepared. And it happens pretty much every time I find myself at Kyoto Station. But hey, if you can deal with just standing still, they might give you free tissues! I personally run for my life.
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| he chased me. |
3) PORTION SIZES
I still have no idea why people say Japanese portions are small. Japanese food is 100x better than food in the UK(and eating out is much much cheaper!), but one time I decided to try 'western' food here out of interest. I asked for a 900 yen (£5ish) burger at a coffee shop. This is what they brought for me.
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| 'Western' food in Japan! Spot the burger! |
4) THOSE 'OH JAPAN' MOMENTS
I'm calling them 'oh Japan' moments because I just find some uses of English either really cute, really cringey or just plain weird! I have found many, but these are the best examples I could find this month:
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| Would you buy this make-up? |
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| Would you buy this mirror? |
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| OK, don't tell me you wouldn't buy this 'fundamental function firmly' colander |
5) MEN OBSESS OVER HOW THEY LOOK
So men here wear make-up. I knew that already. Men also spend obsessive amounts of time sorting their hair our in bathrooms according to my male classmates, which is also obvious. But some have very feminine handbags and I've seen 'male bras' in shops that look a bit like this. I have no problem with this, but it initially blew my tiny mind. I was in a lingerie shop with my friend and I joked like 'who has a chest this flat??' before a shop assistant came up to me and asked if I was planning on buying it for my boyfriend, offering to convert foreign sizes. I had to leave the shop and have a long think.
6) PEOPLE TALK TO THEMSELVES A LOT HERE (or is it just me?)
I find it quite cute but it's not just old people who talk to themselves in public here. Everyone does it. Maybe it's something that people in every other country do, and we are just crazy in the UK for not doing it. Either way, I'm too scared to start.
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| ok technically this guy was talking to a horse but it's still a bit weird. |
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That's it for another week or so! Just a note - if you're coming to Kyoto any time soon and have more money than me, buy a decent camera! Here are some of the reasons why I wish I'd brought one (Chion-in gardens, Fushimi Inari-taisha, Ginkaku-ji and Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu Dera):
