Exploring the Home of Anime
By: Sekia Phillips, CAS ’24
Sekia Phillips standing outside of the Tokyu Kabukicho.
GRIP: International Business in Tokyo
Living abroad in Tokyo, Japan has been one of the most incredibly rewarding yet challenging experiences I have ever encountered in my entire life. Having wanted to visit Tokyo since I was a little kid, I was extremely excited and ecstatic when I was accepted into the GRIP program and learned that I would be spending two months in the country home to anime, amazing cuisine, and cherry blossoms galore. Having been a part of a student exchange program to China in high school and traveling to many foreign countries with my family previously, I also went into the program thinking my previous experience abroad and my 3 years of Japanese study would give me an advantage when encountering culture shock or any other complications. With that said, one of the initial challenges I faced when I got to Japan was, ironically, the language barrier. As a non-native or fully fluent Japanese speaker, navigating daily life and communicating with locals was initially very daunting and at times extremely stressful. Since I wanted to expand my language knowledge and improve my Japanese speaking skills, it was very frustrating when native speakers would insist on using broken English to communicate with me instead of letting me communicate with them based on the Japanese words and grammar structures I knew. With that said however, I quickly realized that many of those thoughts were my self doubts and insecurities, as many Japanese speakers were incredibly understanding and patient, both inside the workplace when interacting with colleagues and out-and-about in the town with complete strangers. They appreciated my efforts to learn their language and were always willing to assist me in any way they could, even when I didn’t ask for it.
Another aspect that surprised me when I got to Japan was the cultural differences between the United States and Japan itself. Even with all the preparation and unique elements of Japanese culture that I was taught in Japanese class, I was still shocked by the traditional and modern balance Japanese culture has within its customs and etiquette. From bowing as a form of greeting to removing shoes when entering someone’s house, every day brought new opportunities to understand and adapt to the Japanese way of life. In particular, exploring the vibrant districts of Akihabara and Shibuya proved to be one of the most memorable experiences I had in Japan. Akihabara, famously known as the “Electric Town,” is a hub for anime, manga, and gaming enthusiasts. Having known about the area prior to visiting Japan, I was still happily shocked by the vibrant energy and towering buildings adorned with colorful signs and billboards. The streets were filled with stores selling all sorts of merchandise, from action figures to video games. By myself and with friends, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring a variety of shops, checking out the cool arcade games, and even meeting new friends at restaurants! Through this experience, I was able to break through my self-imposed barriers while embracing the enthusiasm and passion of Japanese culture!
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce.