Hello my fellow travelers, my name is Joshua Amath Castellanos Ramos. I am a first-generation nontraditional UO senior who thought the best way to end my undergraduate journey was to study abroad! Let’s go Class of 2023!
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Well, it has been one month into my two-month internship in Japan. I am currently residing in Osaka with my internship experience in Kobe. While it has become a life-changing experience, boy did I have a rocky start. Doing something like this has always been on my bucket list. Traveling to another country where I didn’t know the language, as terrifying as that reality became, was the least of my worries. From the morning of my flight, my stomach was in knots as the nerves of traveling to the other side of the world began to set in. I could not keep anything down and that long flight was brutal. Battling elevation sickness, I managed to survive the flight with the help of, you’d never guess, a UO alum that sat next to me on the flight! What are the odds! Definitely a highlight of the trip meeting this older Japanese man who graduated from UO back in 1992. He helped me understand the customs process and told me how to navigate the Tokyo Haneda Airport where I would make my last connecting flight to Osaka Itami. Once I landed, culture shock hit me like a truck! As I attempted to navigate this airport, the staff talked to me in a language I didn’t understand and signage that I couldn’t read, a sense of panic set in as I attempted to get my phone to connect to the internet. A rush of emotions hit me like waves against rocks; panic, anxiety, fear, homesickness, all of the above. “What am I even doing here????” But once I made it to my gate I sat down and had to snap myself out of it.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” “It’s only two months, you got this” “Google Translate exists” “Enjoy this, you deserve it!” “When is the next time you’ll be in Japan, probably never” “YOU GOT THIS!!”
Some of the many thoughts running through my mind as I calmed myself down and mentally prepared for the adventure ahead. As I arrived in Osaka and grabbed a taxi to my accommodation, I began to take in the sights, “I am definitely not in Eugene anymore.” I sat awestruck joking around with the driver about driving on the wrong side of the road. A sense of wonder and adventure began to replace the other emotions I felt not too long ago. The first night I met up with a fellow intern I met on LinkedIn and we grabbed dinner at a ramen shop, my first real meal in the last 24 hours, and it was glorious. The first few days however were brutal. I am a bigger guy who is used to driving everywhere back home. Japan however relies heavily on walking and public transport. My legs were on FIRE, I have never felt cramps so bad in my life. Japan is not for the faint of heart. I powered through the pain and continued to explore my new environment, though I quickly found myself in a drugstore trying to find medication using Google Translate to communicate with staff.
As the days passed the more I got used to the walking and weather. This is not me trying to scare anyone or deter them from coming to Japan just sharing a real-life experience, because even though Japan and I started off on the wrong foot I would not change anything since coming. It is such a beautiful country with amazing food (also very cheap food). I have met such amazing people and made many awesome friends. I have been able to explore and see so much and hope to see more! Temples, castles, mountain ranges, food markets, and massive shopping areas there are new adventures around every corner. Having selected education and nonprofit sectors, I didn’t plan to work at a marketing and technology firm, even that experience has been great and I have had the opportunity to work with such amazing people. The language barrier is slowly decreasing as I begin to pick up keywords and phrases. And as my new friends and I continue to explore everything Japan has to offer I can’t wait to go back home to share my experience with my family, friends, and peers.
As for you future travelers here is my advice for you;
- Embrace the differences
- Immerse yourself in the local community
- Remain open-minded to experiences and social connections
- Remember this is an opportunity for personal growth so step out of your comfort zone
- Keep a positive attitude and cherish every moment of your experience
Personal Tips for Japan
- Bring good walking shoes, your feet will thank you
- Stay hydrated!
- Western food = Western prices
- Transportation is expensive (especially taxis), plan out your routes
- Enjoy! There are tons to do and see.
Best of luck!
By Joshua Amath Castellanos Ramos
GlobalWorks International Internship in Osaka and Kobe, Japan, Summer 2023