Week 1: Arrival in Tokyo!

Just over a week ago, I got onboard my first ever international flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo, Japan. When I arrived, I was about to begin a 5-week Global Seminar, where I’d be studying Architecture, Design, and Film in the heart of Tokyo!

Being my first time abroad, I was admittedly a bit nervous for the experience. I had no way of knowing how homesick I would be, and I kept feeling that somehow I had forgotten some crucial paperwork for the airport. But in the end, everything went off without a hitch, and after 14 hours of flight, one layover in Seattle, and 4 movies, we arrived in Tokyo.


Upon our arrival, we were picked up by the IES Students Abroad coordinators and checked into our hotels. That first day, we were all so jet-lagged that we ate a quick dinner, and headed straight to bed.


Day 1 dinner: Katsu curry over udon

After a quick orientation the next day, as well as some free time to practice using the public transit systems, it was time to start class! Our courses focus on architecture and design, and so we’ll be doing a mix of in-class lectures, and trips to famous architectural sites around Tokyo throughout the program. This week, we visited the Tokyo International Forum, and the Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park! Both were incredible, but I think the incredible forms and structures of the Tokyo Forum were unforgettable. We also did a Calligraphy workshop as a class, which was a challenging, but fun experience! 


Between homework, my part-time job, and working on personal projects during the school year, it’s been so incredibly nice having the time to relax and engage in more creative activities here in Tokyo. Practicing sketching and learning to draw things we see in our surroundings has been such an enjoyable, stimulating experience, and I hope I keep it up when I return back home! I’ve also especially enjoyed how walkable Tokyo is. Just about every day, I go for a walk in the early morning, and again in the evening once it cools down. I’ve had so much fun finding local churches and parks where I can sit and read, or do some birdwatching!


Field trip to the Tokyo Forum

Finally, over the first weekend we’ve had, I started off with a beach trip to Kamakura with some friends from class. It was incredibly hot, but the water was so warm, and we had a lot of fun shopping! The next day, I got a visit from a friend of mine who is doing research in Osaka this summer! We spent the day visiting the zoo in Ueno park, and enjoyed some refreshing cold soba noodles for lunch. Then, we went to the National Film Archive in Kyobashi, Tokyo. This was the highlight of my trip so far! I’m a film studies minor, and I mostly focus on Japanese film, so seeing so many parts of Japanese film history in-person was absolutely incredible.


I’m having a great time in my Global Seminar so far, and am getting used to life in Tokyo. It took a few tries to remember to walk on the left side of the sidewalk, and I’m forever thankful that I started doing Duolingo a few months before I left. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next week!


National Film Archive of Japan

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