Jada Pope - Blog Abroad
Blog #1
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, JadaMy Arrival
Blog #2
Dear nana, According to my countdown I have 100 days left or so on my study abroad. I’ll be honest, the feeling of wanting to go home comes in waves but every time I have that feeling something incredible or new tends to happen. Since being in Japan I’ve been trying to establish a decent routine, and so far I have. I wake up around the same time every morning (5:30am) and ground myself for the day ahead and try not to pick up my phone first thing. The sun is really bright in the mornings so I just sit in silence and appreciate that. Afterwards, I head to the conbini (convenience store) or Sukiya, a popular chain restaurant that serves a variety of dishes and then head to class. It’s definitely different going to a Japanese university than back home, there are so many people on this tiny campus that the crowds overfill the campus quickly, but after a week or so of classes, it doesn't bother me as much. I have 6 classes a week, and my day typically begins with fun around 12:45pm after class. It's been so helpful connecting with the two UNM students that I’ve quickly become close with. Sundays have become their own kind of ritual, I’ve been going to the local sento or onsen every week since I’ve arrived. A sento is a public bathhouse, and an onsen uses natural hot spring water. It’s my reset for the week. Quiet, warm and nothing like anything I had back home. That's the gist of what a day in my life looks like. Now I want to tell you about these amazing adventures. Since arriving I’ve walked through more cherry blossoms than I can count, eaten my way through the city, and done a lot of window shopping. I’m saving the real shopping for my last month so I don’t destroy my suitcase. One of my favorite moments so far was walking through Yoyogi Park and “renting” a little dog named, Haruka, for an hour or so. She enjoyed taking pictures but walking wasn’t her thing. Very sweet pup! I'm a foodie who practically lives on TikTok, so of course I tracked down those“beautiful desserts” I always see on my page. It was totally worth it. I also made it to Harajuku and saw a Jujutsu Kaisen pop up shop, and I stumbled upon a mall in that area and saw the cutest shoes! Of course, nothing was in my size but they were very pretty to look at. We also went to an amusement park called “Joypolis” and went on a couple of rides and even did the Attack on Titan exhibit!! (My fave Anime!) Another cool highlight was that Joypolis sits by this beach called “Odaiba Beach” and even though it was gloomy outside, I walked by the water anyway. I wanted to leave my name in the sand. It was worth it. Oh and lastly, remember I told you that I’m staying in Arakawa ward? Well there’s this amusement park that I was really impressed by. It’s very small but it was so nice seeing something different that wasn’t crowded at all. Plus, I rode the ferris wheel and got a view of the neighborhood and it reminded me that I still have so much more to explore. I want to describe everything I’ve seen and done but I think the pictures I've taken explain a lot better than words.. I’ll talk to you again very soon. With love, JadaMy Arrival
