Study Abroad — Japan 2025

Introduction

From March to July of 2025, I studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan. More specifically, I lived in Ikebukuro in the Toshima Ward while attending Rikkyo University, a private institution established in 1874. During my time there, I experienced countless new things. One of the most important lessons I took away was the cultural differences I encountered. Being immersed in such a different culture made me more aware of the everyday values, habits, and perspectives that shape my own cultural identity.

 

Lessons in Waste

One of the earliest differences I noticed involved something as ordinary as throwing out garbage. At the beginning of my stay, our dorm held an orientation where the staff explained how to properly dispose of trash. We had four main categories: paper, cans, bottles, and burnable waste. The staff emphasized how important it was to separate everything correctly. As an American, this was new to me. At home, most people just toss everything into one bin. Recycling exists, but not nearly at the level practiced in Japan. We were told to separate cans, glass, bottles, plastic lids, paper, and everything else was considered burnable waste. The emphasis on the importance of throwing trash out properly made me realize how much more trash disposal was treated as a priority to Japanese people and I wanted to make sure I did my best to abide by their rules. At first, I struggled. I had to pause and think carefully about where each item belonged. When I was out in public, I often had to carry trash with me until I returned to my dorm. But after a couple of weeks, sorting my waste became second nature. Since returning home, I’ve kept the habit of rinsing bottles and cans and looking for recycling options, even when it isn’t required.

 

Cultural Contrasts in Communication

Beyond everyday habits, communication and daily social interactions stood out as another striking cultural difference. I grew up in the South, where small talk with strangers is part of daily life. At convenience stores or grocery shops back home, I was used to being asked about my day, hearing stories about people’s families, and even listening to more information than I really needed. In Tokyo, things were very different. Shopping trips usually involved a polite greeting, a quick question about how I would like to pay, and a humble thank you, nothing more. At first, this felt distant, especially because I had worked part-time as a cashier in the U.S. and was used to constant chatter. Even conversing with students my age felt a little distant in the beginning. In the states, we immediately go with using first names and already establish at least a small sense of familiarity with one another. Conversing with Japanese people, even thoe who were my age felt distant. They would start with calling me Thornton, which felt extremely odd to me. I’d quickly tell them to call me by my first name. They saw that as a huge step in our relationship development, but to me, it came naturally. It was an interesting dynamic to see in real life how relationships form in America compared to Japan. On top of that, I wasn’t fully prepared for the formality of everyday Japanese. While I had studied keigo (敬語, formal language) in class, hearing it consistently in stores and restaurants gave me a new perspective on how formality shapes professional interactions. America is respectful, however more friendly and casual, when dealing with professional-like conversations. Even in office workspaces, conversations are at least a little more casual. Going into restaurants or pharmacies in Japan were all given the same level of formality wherever you went. I learned that in Japan , the customer is seen as the only one doing the company a favor by spending their money there, instead of in America, the customer is spending their money at the company, and the employees are doing customers a favor by providing their service. When I came back to America, the customer employee dynamic that I grew up with felt a little weird after getting used to Japanese employee professionalism. I have a huge amount of respect for the business culture that Japan has, but I think personally I prefer America’s due to the mutual respect customers and employees have for one another for the most part. Since returning home, I have found myself to keep small talk to a minimum like I did in Japan.                  

 

Fitting In is Better than Sticking Out

Another significant difference involved core values, specifically, individualism versus collectivism. In Japan, the idea of 和 (wa), or “harmony,” is deeply important. Fitting in with others is prioritized, while in America, we often focus on standing out and being unique.In America, I fit in since we were all different. That individualism mentality that Americans hold is what actually makes us all fit in.  Americans are known to be a little more loud, we like to do things that make us feel comfortable in our own skin, even if it is different from what others are doing. While in Japan, fitting in is the better option. Standing out in Japan is seen as a disruption rather than embraced. Being from a country where individualism is embraced, I immediately felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb in Japan. I expected to a degree that I would not fit in, since Japan is extremely homogenous, about 97% the same. I originally thought I would be okay with standing out, since uniqueness is normal in America, but I quickly realized that I did not want to stand out the way I did. To feel more comfortable, I made small changes: I went clothes shopping early on to find outfits that felt similar to what I was seeing around me, I made sure I would lower my voice in public to not disturb others, and adjusted my mannerisms to fit with the others around me. I’ve heard of locals of different countries upset with how American tourists were typically not self aware of the others around them, and just acted the way they would in America. I didn’t want to be labelled the ‘annoying tourist’ so I made sure to do all I could to fully immerse myself in the ways the natives would. I wanted to visit shrines, and I had heard online that there were different customs held by those who believed in Shinto, so I made sure I studied these customs to show respect to the religion, and avoided causing a disturbance to those who were there to practice their faith. I knew at the end of the day, my physical appearance was going to make me stand out, no matter what changes I did to myself, but the adjustments in my mannerisms, changing my clothing style, and using my Japanese knowledge to the best of my abilities allowed me to connect more with the locals and fully immerse myself with Japanese culture. The hardest thing for me to get used to while I was abroad was how uncommon it was to smile at strangers, especially employees of different establishments I visited. I’ve held the deep belief that everyone around me deserves respect, especially those who were working at stores or restaurants I’d go to back at home. I would always smile to show my appreciation for what they’d do. In Japan, I would find myself smiling and thanking the employees at the different convenience stores I’d visit often. Even though that was such a natural thing for me to do, I was usually met with a puzzled look. Even other international students I went to school with were confused as to why I would do that. The differences I experienced abroad really struck me when I returned to the U.S. Suddenly, I could once again understand every conversation around me, and strangers smiled at me as they passed by. It was comforting, but also a little overwhelming after months of a quieter, more reserved environment. Experiencing all the cultural changes during my time in Japan gave me a deeper appreciation for both cultures.

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Conclusion

Living in a new culture not only taught me about differences between countries, but also made me recognize my own identity more clearly. Comparing daily life in Japan and the U.S. gave me a sense of self-awareness that I know will help me approach future intercultural experiences with empathy and adaptability. Studying abroad didn’t just change how I see the world, it changed how I see myself. While it may sound cliché to say that ‘studying abroad is life-changing’, I now understand how true those words really are. In just four months, I learned more about myself than I ever expected. That’s why I would encourage anyone with the chance to study abroad to take it. You don’t just learn about another culture, you also discover a deeper understanding of who you are.