Sophia Pacheco - Blog Abroad

Blog #1

April 2025

Hello! My name is Sophia and I arrived almost 3 weeks ago in Beppu, Japan, to start my semester at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. My first couple weeks here have been so exciting and I already have so much to share!

I have always wanted to visit Japan and it has already exceeded my expectations. The people are kind, the culture is vibrant, and the nature is beautiful and unique. When I first arrived at Fukuoka airport I was kindly greeted by staff from my host university who shuttled myself and other students almost 2 hours to Beppu. The staff and other international students were so welcoming, it helped ease the anxiety I had when I first landed in Japan. This shuttle from Fukuoka to Beppu was my first glimpse of Japan, from cities to the countryside it was breathtaking. The scenery was something I was not used to from growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was struck by the amount of greenery driving through the hills and the coastline when we arrived in Beppu.

My first impression of Japan was how peaceful it was compared to anywhere else I've ever been. Especially Beppu, which is most known for having over 2,000 hot springs (onsens). I have yet to visit one but you can see the steam from the onsens around town and smell the slight smell of sulfur in the air.

Once I was settled in, my first two weeks consisted of exploring Japan with my new friends! My first weekend we visited Yufuin Floral Village. It's a popular shopping street in the mountains and felt like stepping into a fairy tale. Although small, it was filled with themed cafes and shops inspired by "Ghibili" films which were my favorite to look at. If you also enjoy the films, I definitely recommend visiting Yufuin if you ever visit Oita! It's a perfect mix of cute and Japanese traditional touches.

My second weekend has been the highlight so far. My friends and I decided to rent a car and took a two-day road trip from Beppu to Kumamoto. It was a fun and amazing opportunity to explore Japan's countryside. During the road trip we stopped at temples, and scenic spots such as waterfalls, and hiked Mount Aso to see one of Japan's active volcanos. We stayed in a traditional Japanese Airbnb with tatami mats which was a unique cultural experience. Since school has just begun I'm learning and adjusting to the rhythm here in Japan. My biggest challenge so far has been the language barrier. A lot of students at my university speak English but once you're in the city it becomes much more tricky to communicate with the locals. I've picked up basic phrases during my time here but hope to learn more from my friends and the community as time goes on. I find that I rely a lot on Google Translate or gestures but thankfully the people here are incredibly understanding and helpful.

This experience has already been unforgettable, it almost doesn't feel real but I can't wait to explore more of Japan and share it with you all!

Blog #2

May 2025

Welcome to my second blog post! It’s been a little over a month since I arrived in Japan, and I’ve already had the chance to travel outside Japan! During one of my more recent weekends, I visited my friend Abran in Shanghai, China, and then my cousin in Seoul, South Korea. Both trips were unforgettable, and I was glad to experience them with my best friend and family. One of the best things about studying abroad in Japan is how affordable and accessible it is to travel to other countries nearby (Or even within Japan). The flights were reasonable, especially compared to the US, and the airports were easy to navigate because of all the English translations.

In Shanghai, I explored the city, shopped, and tried hot-pot, and in Seoul, I walked the vibrant streets and even unexpectedly saw a lantern festival. The streets in Shanghai and Seoul were packed and full of people enjoying the city, even late at night. Which was a big difference from Beppu, but it made me appreciate the slower rhythm here more. Both cities had such unique energy, but I also noticed small similarities and differences compared to Japan, from the food, culture, and transportation.

Back in Japan, I’ve been trying to explore more of Japanese cuisine. I’ve discovered that my favorites so far are gyoza, ramen, and kimchi. I’ve also made a habit of going to Japan’s convenience stores for a quick snack or dessert. After class or during evening walks with my friends, I go for my go-tos, which are the strawberry sandos, crepes, and creme brulee ice cream. City food markets have also become one of my favorite spots to stop at when traveling. They're the best places to try a little bit of everything when you visit a new city or country.

I’m grateful that I’ve been able to see so much in a short period of time! I know there's much more to see, so I’m excited to keep exploring, learning, and trying new things.

Blog #3

Visiting Tokyo!

June 2025

I’ve had the chance to visit Tokyo twice so far while in Japan! I enjoyed how both were completely different experiences, one being with my friends and the other with my family, who came to visit me. When I went with my friends, we wandered the neon streets till late at night, experiencing the Shibuya nightlife, ate at some new restaurants, shopped, and even got matching tattoos! One of my favorite places we visited was Takeshita Street in Harajuku, a popular street with numerous trendy clothing stores and street food. It’s filled with people who have unique fashion styles. This is something that stands out to me because all over Tokyo, you can see how people express themselves through their outfits, makeup, and hair. At Takeshita Street, we tried the crepes (which are very popular in Japan) and visited my favorite store called Wego, which has a lot of streetwear clothing. Takeshita Street is colorful, lively, and full of people.

It was so exciting when my family came to visit me because they flew from New Mexico to Japan! It was a long journey, but I was grateful to be able to see them for the first time since I left. I was the “tour guide” during the trip since I had already visited Tokyo before, but it felt special being able to share my study abroad experience with them since it was also their first time out of the U.S. We visited all of the touristy and cultural spots such as Sensoji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya crossing, and the Imperial Palace. During this, we tried lots of delicious food such as tempura, gyoza, and lots and lots of ramen! One of their favorites was a conveyor belt sushi restaurant called Kura Sushi, which is a cheap and fun experience because you grab all the food off the belt as it comes by.

As for my favorite parts of Tokyo, I’d say it's the car scene in Shibuya and Pokémon stuff everywhere you go. It was crazy to see all the cool cars, such as GTRs, Supras, and R34s, driving around casually because they are much rarer in the States. But of course, I had to visit the Pokémon Center and look at all the merch they don’t have back at home.

It was very memorable being able to visit the biggest city in the world with my friends I’ve grown close with in Japan, and my family who traveled all the way from New Mexico. If you study abroad and get the chance, I definitely recommend you travel as much as you can to make new memories and experience new places! Being able to travel to different cities across Japan has been a highlight of my time abroad, and I’m excited to see where I’ll be able to go next!

Blog #4

June 2025

   

Blog #5

July 2025

What I wish I knew before coming to Japan: 

1. The Language Barrier - The language barrier in Japan is definitely real, but not impossible to navigate as an English speaker. In bigger cities such as Tokyo, English is more prevalent than in the countryside. You can find it on signs, menus, and sometimes locals speak it, but this is something you cannot depend on. Japanese is a hard language, but for daily life, simple key phrases come in handy if you're still learning. I underestimated how much I would have to use Google Translate and watch for body language. If you visit Japan, I’d recommend learning basic phrases such as thank you in Japanese, arigato gozaimasu, and downloading an offline version of Google Translate in case wifi isn’t available!

2. Japan is QUIET - Something quite noticeable when you visit Japan is how quiet it is, which is peaceful but a culture shock coming from America. For example, in western culture it's common to see people being loud on the phone in the metro or other methods of public transportation, while in Japan this is considered rude or impolite. Public transportation in Japan is extremely quiet, with little to no noise.

3. Cash is a must - Japan relies heavily on cash, such as in restaurants and shops (especially in rural areas or local businesses). While other countries, such as China, have switched fully to a cashless society, cash is still widely used in Japan. A helpful tip is that you can easily withdraw cash from your debit card at a convenience store ATM (Lawson, FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, etc), which are seen everywhere.

4. Shoes off constantly - In Japan, you will have to remove your shoes in some restaurants, when entering someone's home, fitting rooms, etc. This is very common here, so I’d recommend bringing a pair of shoes that slip easily on and off! It’s a sign of cleanliness and respect.

Other helpful tips:

1. Buy a physical metro card, such as Suica, but also if you have an iPhone, get the digital one for convenience and just in case for a backup!
2. Buy an umbrella that can fold into your bag! It rains a lot in Japan, so this will be very convenient, along with a rain jacket for colder months.
3. Go to 100 yen stores like Daiso for cheap necessities. For example, hangers, utensils, school supplies, etc.

Blog #6

July 2025

This weekend I was finally able to visit Osaka. It was the perfect in-between from the quietness of Beppu and the quick pace of Tokyo. It’s a huge city but with much fewer crowds, even with the Osaka Expo going on. Here I stayed in a hostel for the first time. Hostels are super popular across Asia, affordable, and a great way to meet travelers from all over the world. The one I stayed at was an amazing experience and included a cozy commons area, kitchen, and cafe.

Since Osaka was a quick weekend trip, the main event was visiting Universal Studios! I love amusement parks, so visiting one in Japan was on my bucket list. It was thrilling to ride the rollercoasters with my friends, our favorite one was a ride called “The Flying Dinosaur”. Another highlight from Universal was Super Nintendo World, which is exclusive to Universal Studios Japan. It was colorful, interactive, and looked just like the games. Visiting Universal or even Disney Land is a must in Japan if you have time!

Outside of Universal, we didn’t have a plan or much time, so we spent it wandering around Osaka. We checked out cafes, bookstores, local restaurants, and the malls, which are huge and filled with trendy clothing stores. Something spontaneous I did was in remembrance of my study abroad experience in Japan, I got a tattoo. I knew I wanted something simple in Japanese, so I got the word “kaisen” (改鮮) on my wrist, meaning “improvement” or “change for better”!

I’m in the last stretch of my study abroad, and Osaka was the perfect getaway in between finals. I have two more trips planned coming up, a return trip to Tokyo and Okinawa for the first time. Both of which I am extremely excited for! Overall, I’m really grateful I’ve been able to travel so much while studying abroad in Japan. Each place has been unique from one another, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the differences between cities like Osaka, Beppu, and Tokyo. Traveling in Japan has taught me more about myself and others.

Blog #7

Day In My Life

July 2025

 Every day in Beppu has been different, but this is a look into what a typical day looks like for me studying abroad in Japan.

I usually wake up around 9:30 am, get ready, and walk to the bus station to catch my ride to campus. I got used to the public transportation quickly, and it’s always on time, but can be crowded sometimes in the mornings. Once I get to campus, I like to grab a quick breakfast at Lawson, usually a sandwich and a peach drink! It’s simple, cheap, and a convenient breakfast before my classes.

After I eat my breakfast, I head to my classes. At APU, they are a mix of lectures and discussion-based. It’s a little different from home and more focused on testing and group work than individual assignments throughout the year. Once my morning class is finished, I like to grab lunch in APU’s cafeteria, it’s really affordable and has a large variety of meals to choose from. My favorites include the hamburger steak with salad, miso soup, rice, and kimchi (all for around $4 USD)!

In the afternoon, I either have another class or I find a spot on campus or in a cafe to study, then I take the bus back to my dorm. On the way back, I often stop at Marushoku (my local grocery store) to stock up on groceries or necessities. Once I’m back home, I like to take time to relax, watch some TV, text friends and family, etc. Then make myself dinner, which can be something quick like rice, veggies, and gyoza.

Depending on the day, after dinner my friends and I go out to downtown Beppu or hang out at the beach across from our dormitory! These memories with my friends have been the highlights of my time studying abroad. After that, I go home and head to bed.

I know I’ll miss this routine when I leave Japan and all the special memories I have made with my friends! I enjoy the quiet daily life in Beppu, but also the adventure of being a study abroad student, meeting new people, and exploring new places.

Blog #8

August 2025

 My time in Japan has officially come to an end. I’m writing this final blog at the airport on my way back to America, and can’t help but feel sad that I’m leaving. I’ve made so many memories, friendships, and discovered more about myself that I know will stick with me for the rest of my life. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and all that I was able to experience during my time abroad. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change anything, it was the best choice I made. The hardest part was saying goodbye to my friends who went from strangers to such an important part of my life over the span of a couple of months. Towards the end, they were like family to me. We were with each other every step of the way from day one, arriving at our dorms for the first time to leaving back to our home countries. I truly cherish all our memories, and I hope to see them again someday soon!

Before leaving, I had one last trip with my friend Cecilie in Okinawa. Out of all the places I visited in Japan, Okinawa is my favorite. It is known as the “Hawaii of Japan” and stood out to me because of the tropical scenery, beautiful oceans, and the mix of Japanese and American culture. We relaxed at the stunning beaches and visited American Village, which was extremely colorful with lots of shops and restaurants. I especially enjoyed the food, like taco rice, a local specialty, and their popular ice cream brand called Blue Seal, which has a variety of unique flavors to Okinawa. It was unique from anywhere I’ve ever been and was a perfect laid-back ending to my journey in Japan!

Japan, its culture, people, and my friends will always hold a special place in my heart. Leaving is bittersweet, but this experience has changed me for the better. I’m leaving with more than just photos but perspectives and memories I’ll carry forever. I can’t wait to return here in the future, whether it's with family, reunite with friends, or explore!