My name is Joseph Ruhr. I am a student at the University of Oregon majoring in political science and global studies, but for the next two months, I am studying and interning in Tokyo, Japan. I intern for an online startup called Japan Pro, where I work closely with the lead web designer to prepare informative articles and photos for the website. In my free time, I love to study history, workout, and create art through music, sketches, writing, and painting.
I hope to see the world and all its unique histories and pieces of art that have built communities from the ground up. In deciding my first solo-travel location, I had many to consider, but I ultimately chose Japan. Japan has been on my bucket-list for a multitude of reasons given its beautiful landscapes, impressive history, fascinating culture, and artistic media that has inspired me to become the person I am now.
While preparing for my trip, I had the opportunity to thoroughly research Japan’s culture and history throughout the summer so that I could be as prepared as possible. This gave me so many unique temples, museums, shrines, and historical locations to see. Sights that I know that I won’t be able to take in again for a long time.
Once I landed in Japan, I was relieved and ecstatic. Months of preparation had finally gotten me to a country I had long wished to see. One that is home to the many inspirations that brought me here in the first place. Every direction I looked I saw art, culture, and a deep appreciation for one’s own home. It has truly been inspiring just living here. An inspiration that brings so much gratitude into the lives of those lucky enough to embrace it. Not many can say their home is created of so much art everywhere. Although, that is not to say moving to a foreign country did not come with its own unique set of new challenges for me to overcome.
When preparing, I knew not to expect much English translations. So I worked hard to improve my Japanese. Teaching myself Hiragana and Katakana, listening to hours of Japanese speech, reading Japanese texts just to practice anyway I could. Still, my Japanese is far from even the level of a child’s. It can be difficult to navigate such an unfamiliar land. My undeveloped skills force me to rely on translating apps to figure out what’s on the menu or what the words on a package mean. Frustrating it may be, I persevere through practice in immersion. I ask locals questions so that I might learn new words, new phrases and ideas to consider and even make friends. While practicing, I have learned to listen more than I speak. Through listening and taking my time in Japan, I have really learned so much about the world and myself.
-Joseph Ruhr, Diverse Ducks Ambassador