Reflection

Since childhood, those who knew me were acutely aware of my natural gravitation towards all things Japanese. I would consistently find myself immersed in the worlds of Japanese video games and cartoons, while also scouring my local library for any literature that could expand my knowledge on this once foreign corner of the world. Little did I know the pure joy derived from my unrelenting curiosity for Japan would lead me down an enlightened path I once only dreamed of. As my interest in Japanese media and culture grew, I figured that I would inevitably pursue some form of Japanese studies when I entered the world of academia.

Despite my passion for all things Japanese, I was often deterred from officially studying it in an educational setting. Growing up in a traditional Cuban household in Miami, embracing our culture and immersing myself in it as much as possible was instilled in me from a young age. To stray from this expectation was unthinkable to my family, considering how much Latin American immigrants challenge pressures to assimilate and advocate for the normalization of their culture in one of the country’s biggest Hispanic enclaves. While I always admired this pride in Cuban culture, there was definitely no subtlety in the manner that they discouraged me from exploring something beyond what I had always known. To them, my immersion in Japanese culture indicated betraying my roots and not honoring the cultural expectations placed on me since birth. In my mind, this perspective was nothing short of close-minded. While I definitely possessed a clear desire to learn more about Japan, it would have never crossed my mind to abandon my culture in pursuit of another one.

Thus, to prove to my family that cultural enlightenment is not inherently harmful, I continued my education in Japanese studies. I initially jumped on the opportunity to do so as a sophomore at FIU, when I was referred to Japanese language courses by an advisor. While this was a thrilling prospect for me, I also harbored some doubts about chasing this long-time dream of mine. In the back of my mind were thoughts voicing frustration with my decision, telling me that I would be placing myself under great mental strain by attempting to learn a completely different language outside of English or Spanish. Nevertheless, I persisted - because I knew my desire to learn far exceeded the ease associated with conformity.

Day in and day out, I would commit myself to studying the language while continuing my Japanese cultural studies on the side. Never was there a day where the work I was required to put in felt monotonous or insurmountable. In fact, it was the most enjoyable pursuit I had ever undertaken. Regardless, there were a handful of experiences that truly opened my eyes to the complexity of Japanese studies and furthered my appreciation for their culture. Among these was my COIL experience, which occurred in the Summer of 2021 for my Japanese Culture and Society course. For this project, a classmate and I were paired up with two students from Waseda University in Tokyo. All groups were tasked with exploring the interconnectivity and distinctions between Japanese and American society - which I eventually realized was more complex than I initially thought. After much discussion, we decided that our presentation would explore social media use in both countries: something we felt was quite relevant in the midst of a pandemic.

While completing the presentation, it dawned on me that the amount of time one spends learning a subject is not indicative of one’s expertise. There will always be something new to explore - whether it be a new perspective or any sort of epiphany that occurs throughout your pursuit of knowledge. For me, it was the realizations I had when bridging the gap between Japanese and American society throughout my course of study. This project was a testament to the fact that no culture is as entirely strange or as mystical as we once perceived it to be. The manner in which so many cultures intertwine demonstrates that there are inherent similarities between us all, despite each culture possessing unique aspects.

Overall, I feel that my lifelong willingness to engage with a culture different from those I interacted with on a daily basis truly molded me into a more enlightened and intellectual person. With the knowledge I acquired through my courses, engagement project, and casual interest in Japanese culture, I hope to further my understanding of the Japanese language and eventually travel overseas to experience the culture myself. However, there are currently financial and health-related barriers preventing this from occurring upon graduation. Thus, I intend to put my psychology degree to use by pursuing a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration, with a focus on international student affairs. Upon completion of the program is when my Japanese Studies certificate will come into play. I will combine the knowledge gained from all three degrees and move to Japan to work in a higher education institution, preferably one that has a significant international student population.

In time, I am confident that I will one day live out my childhood dream of integrating myself into Japanese society. However, if the circumstances prove to be difficult, I intend to stay in the U.S. and work at a university with a significant Asian population or robust Japanese student exchange program. That way, I can continue to immerse myself in the culture from the comfort of my home. And as a bonus, my family will witness first-hand how global awareness can teach you to appreciate global societies without abandoning your own.