Goodbye USA! Hello Japan!

First off, I just want to say that I'm so grateful for this opportunity to study abroad in Japan through Dr. Katz and the International Pharmaceuticals Students' Federation (IPSF) at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. I did my undergrad at the University of Arizona as well, and on the "mall" each year there were rows of tents pitched, with each tent advertising a study abroad opportunity to a different country. There had to be at least 20 tents (so 20 different countries) represented on the mall holding potential future adventures for excited undergrads like I was back then. I, however, did not choose to study abroad during undergrad, and for a while I regretted that decision after graduating. I feel like for the majority of real-life working adults, it is difficult to travel internationally for vacation and in general (unless you are Dr. Katz). When I heard the UA COP was holding a mini study abroad during the summer, I knew I could not pass up that opportunity. This may be my only chance to travel abroad, especially to Japan, while receiving a valuable insight into my future profession in another country.

I am looking forward to so many things for this trip! I’m excited to creating lasting memories with our travel group and the Kobe Gakuin University pharmacy students! I'm especially excited to meet my KGU pen pals, Miyu and Yukiha. I've been in contact with them through a nifty app called Line, which is a FREE messenger app that connects you to friends in Asian countries (such as Japan) instantly. I'm also excited to see what kampo (herbal) medicine is all about. Growing up in a Korean household, my parents were all about using herbal medicines or teas for various ailments. I couldn't appreciate the medicines when I was growing up (the taste makes me miserable just thinking about it), but I'm interested in how herbal medicines are prepared in a pharmacy in Japan. Also, I am ECSTATIC to devour all the food my wallet will allow me to buy! I'm not a picky eater, so I'm willing to try any and all dishes I've never heard of before. One of my life goals is to eat authentic sushi and ramen in its motherland. I'm just afraid that when I come back to the US, I will never be able to enjoy sushi and ramen the same again. I expressed my enthusiasm for Japanese food to one of my pen pals, and she recommended me to try warabimochi as well. I'll see if I like it!

I'm not concerned about much for this trip except for the humidity… and the fact that I know almost no Japanese. I take after my dad and sweat a lot... so I'm hoping on the days that we need to dress formally at the Kobe Gakuin University, the AC in the buildings will be cranked up high. I have been trying to pick up some Japanese here and there in preparation for the trip. So far, I can confidently say "hello" and "where is the toilet?"

*Note: I copied and pasted my response from a word document, so I'm sorry that the format of my response looks a little crazy on the blog......