Coming back to the USA felt like an easy readjustment. Life in Japan felt whimsical in a way: where public transportation worked, my own funds didn't feel like a limit to my life, and the temples all over the country were a reminder of the rich history of the Japanese nation. It almost made sense that I would go back to my life before, where things felt ubiquitous. I found that the people I'm closest to really enjoyed listening to my adventures in Japan, which was really nice. I never felt like my friends and family didn't care about my experience, but I understand that isn't always the case for my peers. I am grateful for my readjustment experience, and my whole experience abroad.
In my previous entry, I discussed being a minority in Japan as a tourist, and a minority in the USA as a citizen. At the time, the comparison was fresh in my mind, and I wasn't sure how I felt about being an outsider both at home and abroad. After having spent now a week and a half back in the USA, I think maybe being abroad had me forgetting about the comfort I feel in my home and in the city. I may be a minority, but in the spaces I frequent, I feel comfortable because of a shared culture regardless of race. Before I went to Japan, I thought I would adore living abroad and genuinely considered moving to Japan for a couple of years. Now, I think I’d enjoy traveling for long periods of time, but I have figured out that home for me, at least for right now, will not be Japan.
Emely Angel Perez, Diverse Ducks Ambassador