A Memorable Experience - Kamran H. -
・An Amazing Experience
My last two months in Tokyo, Japan, have been an amazing experience for me. I have learnt so much about the differences between Vancouver and Tokyo in culture, lifestyle, and the school environment. The difference in the 2 cultures have been very interesting to learn about, and there are so many new experiences I have had because of this.<.br /> Overall, Tokyo is a much bigger, more developed and vibrant city than Vancouver. The many popular areas of Tokyo, like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza, are always bustling with energy and packed with locals and tourists alike all enjoying the vibrant shopping areas. The transit system is always on time, quick and easy to use, and provides frequent service to most areas of Tokyo.<.br /> Even the nightlife is still energetic, with lots of people staying out in the evenings. I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to go travel around to various parts of Tokyo and the surrounding areas, and it has been amazing to see the differences in the way people go about their daily lives compared to Vancouver.<.br /> One other difference I have noticed is the daily lifestyle. It's a very different experience waking up at 6:00 am every day to go to school while in Vancouver, I usually wake up around 7:30.<.br /> Taking the train for 20 minutes to school used to feel like a long ride, but I soon found out from fellow Mejiro Kenshin students that that was a short ride, compared to most people. It has been fun learning Japanese during school, along with taking calligraphy, art, P.E, and music. The other exchange students and I would also help teach English to some classes, and it was fun making new friends along the way. After school, I would either have badminton club until 7 o'clock, or go out and travel around Tokyo. I would usually be home around 10 pm and rest and relax after that. It is a much more relaxed schedule than back home, and I really enjoyed the free time that I had. I liked that I was able to go see different parts of Tokyo, while also having a good time at school meeting people and making new friends.<.br /> Over the last 2 months, I got to really enjoy my time in Tokyo and have no difficulties because of the immense help my host family and the Mejiro Kenshin teachers and students have been to me. My host family was always there for me, answering any questions I had, helping me out when I needed it, and giving me advice and tips. They made me feel like home, while making me amazing lunches, always caring for me, and taking me to many places around Tokyo like Disney Sea, and other events, like a Tokyo FC soccer game. I am so grateful and lucky to have had the chance to stay at their house and get the chance to experience the lifestyle Tokyo has to offer. The Mejiro Kenshin teachers have also been so accepting and helpful of letting me integrate seamlessly into the school lifestyle. Their knowledge and helpfulness have been crucial to me having an amazing time in Tokyo, and has taught me so much about the school culture in Japan. Finally, the many Mejiro Kenshin students have been amazing in their eagerness to talk to me in English and make me feel comfortable. I have met so many people and made so many good friends here and I will never forget the memories that I made at Mejiro Kenshin. Everyone was so helpful and it was so easy to enjoy myself at school. I will miss going to school here in Tokyo.<.br /> Overall, my 2 months in Tokyo have been amazing. I am very grateful and thankful to all the people who I met along the way that made my exchange memorable. It was great traveling around Tokyo and seeing different districts and famous places. It was an amazing experience getting to live in a different country for 2 months and learn about the history and culture that Tokyo has to offer, and it is an experience that I will never forget.
Kamran H.
