My name is Joey Sota Matsuno. I am a third-year undergraduate student from Eugene, Oregon. My major is Japanese language. I am studying abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. I chose this program to learn Japanese, as Waseda University has a school called the Center for Japanese Language. My main goal in studying abroad is to build stronger connection to the Japanese half of my cultural background.
For as long as I can remember, I have gone by the name Joey Matsuno. Only now in my third year of college I have decided to go by a different name. As I study abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, I have decided to go by my Japanese name, Sota. I have called Eugene, Oregon my home for my entire life, and I have never introduced myself to anyone with my Japanese name. I was often scared Americans would find the name funny, as it shares a similar pronunciation to “soda” in an American accent. On the plane leaving Eugene, I made a commitment to introduce myself as Sota once I arrived in Japan. I am a fresh face with a fresh identity. I realized that studying abroad is an invaluable opportunity to redefine myself in the image of my identity.
Image I am ethnically half Japanese, although I have lived in a decidedly American cultural setting all my life. This time abroad has already given me an amazing opportunity to further my connection to my Japanese heritage. I did not speak Japanese growing up and I have sense spent many years in the classroom trying to make up for this. However, classroom learning can only get me so far. There is little application for what I learn in class, and I continue to feel a distinct cultural disconnect from Japan.
This disconnect is what compelled me to pursue this study abroad program. I wanted to immerse myself in the language and culture that I had felt so distant to. Once I had left the airport in Japan, I realized that this program will undoubtedly offer me the tools to surround myself with the Japanese language and allow me to pursue my language goals.
However, that same day, I was faced with a major hurtle to strengthening my connection with Japanese culture. I have food allergies to fish and shellfish. In the United States, this always stood as an unfortunate inconvenience. However, in Japan, this allergy stands as a massive barrier for me when enjoying with Japanese culinary culture. As with any study abroad program in any location, food is a massive part of experiencing that culture. For me I am often simply unable to enjoy many foods in Japan.
While this has thus far remained a constant struggle, I have lived with this disability to safely eat seafood for my whole life. I was prepared for this situation and have been working to secure safe foods which I can prepare for myself. I am used to sitting out meals or refusing dishes due to my allergies. What I was not prepared for was how thorough allergen information can be in Japan. I was prepared to simply never eat out at a restaurant. However, I quickly began to find safe foods and eateries that I can enjoy. Though I will never be able to enjoy staples of Japanese culinary culture, like sushi, I remain optimistic about my future of eating safe and delicious Japanese foods during my time abroad.
As I look forward, I am searching for opportunities to further immerse myself in Japanese language and culture through clubs and interest circles at Waseda University. I am staying in an international dorm and have still felt as though I am stuck in an “English bubble.” I have attended club tabling events and have found several which excite me. As I am learning Japanese through Waseda University’s Center for Japanese Language, I will not be taking classes alongside Japanese students. I need to proactively put myself into situations which will challenge me to speak Japanese in the real world. I am excited to find these opportunities and I remain prepared to navigate them even with the challenge of my allergies.
By Joey Sota Matsuno, Diverse Ducks Ambassador
Waseda University Exchange, Fall 2023