Jada Pope - Blog Abroad

Blog #1

My Arrival

Hey everyone! I'm Jada and I am a senior at UNM studying business. I'm incredibly grateful to be embarking on this new journey. I wanted to start my blog in the form of a letter to my nana. She went abroad when she was in college and it inspired me to go abroad on my own. 

Dear Nana,

I’ve finally arrived in Tokyo, and I honestly still can’t believe that I’m here. The flight felt like a lifetime, about 18 hours from Albuquerque with a layover, but the moment I stepped off the plane and into Haneda Airport, something shifted. I was exhausted of course, but underneath it was this electric feeling that I still can’t describe to you just yet. I just know that I did it, I’m finally here. The unknown certainly feels strange but I know I made the right choice coming here.

Though this would be my third time in Japan, I’m amazed at how efficiently Japan operates. But arriving as a student who is actually going to live here, feels completely different. The first thing I noticed was how the airport operated as soon as I walked through customs. Food, transportation, showers, a lot of people going every which way. It was overwhelming but it all had order to it surprisingly. I was too exhausted to go through the train system to get to my apartment so I took an uber, besides I had a lot of heavy luggage and it wasn’t going to be a fun time carrying what I had around a busy train station.

I should explain the apartment situation, because it wasn’t the plan. Rikkyo University ran out of dorm space before I arrived, so I ended up having to find my own place. I won’t lie, it stressed me out. But I found a space in Arakawa city, and I think it worked out better than the dorms. It’s not as strict and I’m surrounded by locals, oh and it isn’t crowded with tourists so I walk the streets without as much hustle and bustle. 

Orientation and class registration is this week and I’m so excited to get out there and meet my classmates. It’s cherry blossom season and I’m going to take advantage of the events that I see around town! I’m a little homesick, completely in awe, and more excited than I have been for awhile all at once. I’m so glad I’m doing this.

All my love,

Jada