Greetings! My name is Oakley and I’m a junior at Rollins College. I am double majoring in International Business and Asian Studies at Rollins College. Last year, I studied abroad in China and this year I’m at it again but, this time, in Japan! Things have been quite hectic and busy for me (more than I expected but mostly in a good way). I will start with a little back story on my history with Japan. Firstly, my father was born there (no, neither of us are Japanese and there’s an embarrassing childhood story associated with this misunderstanding but I digress). Growing up, my grandparents always spoke highly of the time they lived in Japan, showed me pictures, and I inherited the souvenirs from Japan when my grandfather passed. In 2013, I deployed to Japan for 7 months while serving in the Marines. To say that my time in Japan four years ago was spectacular would be a gross understatement. It was my first time spending an extended length of time abroad. As overwhelmed with excitement as I was, there were also many obstacles. Due to the nature of my work, I had no opportunity (outside of self study) to learn the language and almost no opportunity to engage with the local community except for short volunteer work such as visiting an orphanage. Despite the language, and other barriers, I was able to make keen observations about the culture, take in the wondrous beauty of the nature side, and tour some of the fun filled cities such as Tokyo. Approaching the end of my time in Japan, I wasn’t ready to leave. My best friend’s unit was replacing mine and I requested to stay another 7 months during their deployment but they did not need another Marine. So, reluctantly, I returned stateside and had been yearning to return ever since. I’m not only ecstatic for this opportunity to come back but even more so excited because it is from a vastly different perspective that will enable me to learn the language, culture, history, and build lifelong friendships with the locals. That doesn’t make this scenario ideal, however, as each situation has its obstacles to face and overcome. There were many wrinkles in the fabric so to speak during my first couple weeks here. Most of them had been ironed out but now it seems there are new issues to tend to.