Student Testimonial: Ndaru (Japan)
Ndaru B.
I’ve never considered myself an adventurous person, nor daring. I thrive in an environment that I’m comfortable with and stick with what I know best. But somehow, that part of me slowly started to change the moment I heard about the University of Toronto’s Japan Summer Abroad Program. I suddenly became curious and wanted to get out of my comfort zone. What would it be like studying in a new country? Will I be able to navigate through Japan without a lick of Japanese? Will I be able to travel alone? Will my application even be accepted? All sorts of questions started forming in my head, worries flooding my thoughts, but also a hint of excitement.
Fast forward a few months, and I found myself landing in Tokyo from Toronto.
What drew me to take IRE332 in Japan was that, on paper, it had no relation to my major at all. I was interested in learning something new but was also worried that it would be hard to connect it to my majors. After the first week of classes, I couldn’t be happier to be wrong. What I learned from IRE332 under Professor Bob’s instruction was valuable soft skills and how to approach not only conflicts but also communication in all aspects of my life, whether it’s in a workplace environment or a casual conversation – skills that I believe would be valuable for any student in any major. Taking IRE332 also introduced me to Japanese communication culture and how differently Japan handles conflicts compared to here, in Canada. Japanese values have a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony, where direct communication is rarely heard. Instead, communication often involves softening sentences and indirect speech to preserve relationships and avoid confrontation. Both Japanese and Western communication cultures have their negatives and positives, but I learned how to incorporate both cultures to find a balance in how to navigate all sorts of conflicts, something I could only have learned by being in Japan and experiencing it firsthand when talking to locals (with the help of Google Translate, of course). Each lecture always left me thinking about how I could have applied what I learned in my Computer Science or Geography courses (such as group projects, presentations, interviews, etc.) and how I could see myself applying these concepts after I graduate, when I’m working in a professional environment.
Outside of academics, I felt that I was able to grow as a person, being in a new country, a completely new environment, and surrounded by a new and fascinating culture. I had no prior Japanese language knowledge, so talking with locals was definitely hard, but I often found myself finding any opportunity to talk with locals, whether it was small talk or simply asking if they had any restaurants they recommended. For an introvert like me who’s always wanted to be better at communication, it felt like I was finally able to take that first step forward. While the Summer Abroad program is an academic trip first and foremost, it was also a great self-learning opportunity that has and will continue to play a big part in my academic journey at the University of Toronto.
Looking back, I couldn’t be happier with my past self for applying for the Japan Summer Abroad program. IRE332 has been one of the most memorable courses I took, and being in a completely new environment pushed me to grow in so many ways. If there’s one thing I can take away from this experience, it’s that stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things outside of my major doesn’t make it any less valuable. It showed me that the skills and experiences that shape who I become won’t always come from the places I expect.
