Well, a semester has come and gone, and I’m glad I can say with full confidence that it has been a good one. I know that reading this you all probably can’t imagine how thrilling the experiences were, how kind the friends I’ve made are, or how delicious the food I ate was. It’s hard…
Author: lworley@rollins.edu
Himeji Castle
Just about every weekend this semester, my roommate and I have made sure to go somewhere interesting, even if it isn’t far. We’ve traveled all through downtown Osaka together, through nearby Makino, all the way to Nara to see the oldest wooden buildings in the world, and most recently went to Himeji Castle (located near…
Lots to be Thankful for
As most of you are aware, this week in the USA almost everyone will be celebrating Thanksgiving. While it’s not my favorite of holidays due to it’s actual historical origin (hint: there’s lots of racism and murder), I do love being able to eat good food with friends or family and to think of some…
A busy week
One of my favorite things about being here in Osaka is that there is never any shortage of things to do, especially on the weekends. If you hop on a train from Hirakata station, you can easily travel to Hirakata Amusement Park, Osaka Castle, major shopping districts such as Shinsaibashi, Kuzuha Mall, and much more….
Ceramic Cups and Osaka Pride!
It’s been a while since my last post and for good reason. Right now, I’m sitting in the computer lab of the Center for International Education here at Kansai Gaidai, surrounded by students who are all tweaking essays and cramming for exams within the next few hours. Just like in the US, people’s social lives…
Don’t wake me up when September ends, because this is a wonderful dream
I can feel the weather beginning to change in Hirakata City. The days are still nice and warm, all clear skies and sunshine, but most days of the week I bike home after-dark because of how late my schedule goes, so I’ve begun to notice the chill that’s started to settle here. With the help…
First Week in Japan and the start of Classes
Ahhhh, Japan… How your vending machines have been calling me back for the past three years. How could I forget how deliciously cold and wonderful your Milk Tea is. Of course, vending machines haven’t been the main aspect of my exchange so far, but I would be lying if I said they didn’t play a…
Pre-Departure: 2 months out
The first time I lived in Japan was when I was seventeen. I had graduated high school three months prior at the age of sixteen, youngest of my graduating class, and was eager to get out of the country and off into the unknown. I studied abroad through an organization known as Rotary Youth Exchange, with whom…