10 Month Trip - Sarah Dermont

When I was first offered the opportunity to visit Japan for 10 months it didn't seem real, but once I had arrived and settled down I felt completely at home. I loved everything about Tokyo. Every time I left my home I discovered something new. When I started school it was daunting but my school friends helped me with my Japanese and with any problems. I made some of the best friends ever. The most important part of my exchange was the feeling of getting closer to people through learning to speak their language. The experiences I had with my friends are unforgettable, I feel sad now that they are so far away. Whilst I was in Japan my personality changed considerable, I became more independent and mature. If I had a problem I overcame it. I no longer felt dependent on my family. In Japan if I wanted to go somewhere, it would be down to me to look at a tube map and use the trains in order to do so.... My exchange also taught me about my behavior towards other people and improved my manners. I found the Japanese to be so polite it influenced my behavior dramatically. It was difficult initially to maintain a happy mood all day, but being around my Japanese family made me want to be polite and friendly. I wanted to be in the company of my friends and family, they made the atmosphere around me feel inviting and friendly all the time. This has helped me since being home, when I meet new people I am always polite and know the way in which to behave depending on the situation I am in. One thing I found very interesting about living in Japan was the way that I didn't see any violence between people there in my whole 10 month visit e.g. at sport stadiums or in public places. This was because of the way that the Japanese respect each other. I found them to have more dignity. This was a big cultural difference, just one of many I experienced and will never forget. My memories of Japan will be with me forever. 

japanese version
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