Grace Stanford
Asian Studies and Religion double major
Studied abroad in Mishima, Shizuoka, Spring 2012
After dreaming of learning Japanese for a lifetime, I sat in my first Japanese class as a
sophomore at UVM. A year and a half later, I was boarding a plane for Tokyo, armed with three
semesters of language and nearly two decades’ experience of loving Studio Ghibli movies,
learning Japanese history, and wondering what more Japan had to offer. It was the beginning of
an adventure I had imagined for years, the realization of which I could not comprehend. Stepping
off the train in my tiny city of Mishima seventeen hours after I left home and seeing the darkened
silhouette of Mt. Fuji greet me from the platform, I knew I was entering a magical place.
And ‘magical’ is the word I use most to describe my experience abroad. From the walking
adventures exploring our city to shopping at the grocery store, from setting off on a four-day tour
of Kansai by myself to sitting in a tiny apartment surrounded by both American and Japanese
friends making takoyaki, from my fumbled excuse for Japanese in the first weeks to conversing
comfortably with strangers and friends in my final days, my time in Japan was the most magical
and wonderful adventure I have ever had. Japan taught me so much, gave me so much and,
essentially, stole my heart. After four and a half months, my language skills were improving at a
rapid pace, I had made so many beautiful friends, both Japanese and American, and my mind
and heart were filled to capacity with the natural and cultural treasures Japan had shown me. I
did not want to leave, but I knew that I had to. However, as I gazed longingly at the island from
the window of my returning plane, it was with a certainty in my heart that I would return someday
to continue the next chapter in my lifelong adventure with Japan.
PHOTOS
1) A beautiful river walk in Mishima, Shizuoka.
2) Visiting the Daibutsu in Kamakura!
3) A traditional ryokan inn in Ito, Shizuoka, which we visited on a class trip.
4) Okonomiyaki party!
5) Several students and I joined a local church during our stay. They welcomed us every week in
the warmest way, asking about our adventures, and teaching us about their families and lives. As
a bonus, we shared a delicious meal after services and learned so much about Japanese food!
6) Visiting the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo was a dream coming true inside a dream. Absolutely one
of the most magical places I’ve ever been.
7) Many exchange students participated in an English tutoring program and helped junior college
students practice their speaking skills!
8a and 8b) Climbing Mt. Fuji was one of the greatest victories of the trip. Having stared at her for
4 ½ months, she gifted us with a beautiful day and a view worth the crazy amount of work it took
to climb her.