“色々ありがとうございました!This course was a real lifesaver for my first time in Japan. It is so different from my home country in ways I wouldn't even know how to put into words, but somehow you all articulated it perfectly! I was especially thankful to those of you who shared your own experiences with being a minority in Japan - as a biracial black and white woman with a great interest in LGBTQ issues, I was so nervous about standing out in a county that is, for the most part, racially and culturally homogenous. However, hearing from others who had done it before was really encouraging, and I can't articulate how special it was that this course didn't overlook those identities (it even included passages on being vegetarian/vegan, something else that I found really helpful!). Even beyond this, some of the course creators personally reached out to my sister and I and offered wonderful advice and assistance - it never felt like we were alone in going through this process. I am so grateful to each and every one of you who made this course a reality, so thank you!
“Not only did this course make me more prepared to enter Japan, but it also put me at ease by knowing that unexpected social norms and customs would be one less thing to worry about when getting settled in. The mix of informative written passages, videos from other travelers and natives, and links to specific resources provided a wealth of information that made me feel ready to tackle all of the new experiences that come with being abroad. I can't imagine a more comprehensive yet concise summary of all that there is to know before entering a foreign country, and I am extremely thankful to have had this primer!”
Holly, George Mason University student in Japan