Reflections from Studying Abroad in Japan as a Black Woman
A journey of gaining independence, confidence, and autonomy.
Introduction
During the fall semester of my senior year at university, I studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan, at Temple University: Japan Campus. Studying abroad in Japan had long been a dream of mine, especially after having studied Japanese for almost ten years. The process of saving up money from internships and receiving study abroad scholarships from sources like the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship and my major department made this experience feel like a dream come true!
For nearly a decade, I have researched the experiences of Black people in Japan and noticed a significant lack of representation. By sharing my own experiences in this post, I aim to provide more perspective on what it can be like for Black students in Japan and encourage other Black students interested in studying abroad, especially in Japan, to give it a shot!
Surpassing Language Expectations in Daily Life
Being in Tokyo and studying at a university where English was the primary language, I did not expect my Japanese abilities to improve much. Despite taking an intensive Japanese language course, Tokyo has many English signs and accommodations that I feared I would be too inclined to rely on. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised when I found opportunities to meaningfully use Japanese and was able to notice improvements in language abilities by the end of my time in Japan.
One of the main ways I used Japanese in daily life was with store employees during transactions. While some employees would attempt to conduct the entire interaction in English, most spoke to me in Japanese unless I indicated otherwise. This included buying snacks from Family Mart, ordering food from places like Mos Burger, and purchasing merchandise at pop-up stores. Although these interactions involved simple phrases, they required familiarity with the typical checkout process in Japan. The smoother and quicker the transaction, the more likely it was that I was doing it correctly. I was told “日本語上手” (your Japanese is good) on three separate occasions during these interactions. While these compliments might not fully reflect my Japanese capabilities, they definitely served as a nice confidence boost.
I have found that the best times to truly understand your language skills moments when you least expect or want to. My Japanese skills were pushed to their limits at the Sony service station and the Apple store. These visits were unexpected, as I broke my Sony headphones on the plane to Japan and my iPad suffered water damage after I walked through a downpour. In both situations, I had to discuss repairing broken electronics — vocabulary I was not very familiar with at the time — with people who spoke little English. While these situations were uncomfortable as I fumbled through and asked many clarifying questions to understand what was going on, I look back on them fondly. I successfully communicated and obtained the information I needed without using Google Translate or other translation apps, which is the main point of learning any language. Therefore, embrace these unexpected moments while abroad, as they can show you that you know more than you think.
One of the classes I took at TUJ was Oral Intensive Japanese I. After completing several Japanese classes in the U.S. and not really enjoying them, I was initially hesitant about taking this course. I was afraid I would not understand what was going on or be the worst person in the class, as I had been in previous classes. However, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this class and how well I did in it. The teacher spoke only in Japanese, and I was always able to understand her. Many of our projects were public speaking-heavy, including a group project where my team had to research and present on a part of Setagaya to local residents. Despite the challenge of discussing the city in Japanese with local residents, I never felt very nervous with this or any of my other projects. This class ultimately showed me that Japanese classes can be enjoyable and that I am not as bad at Japanese as I thought, which greatly improved my confidence in the language.
Finding Community Abroad
Growing up in a predominantly Black environment, I was often the only person interested in languages or other cultures. Then, I went to a university with only 4% Black students, where I was frequently the only Black person in my classes. Thus, going to Japan, I knew I would often be the only Black person in many of the spaces I occupied. While I was used to being the only Black person with these interests, studying abroad helped me realize that I was not as alone as I thought.
During my study abroad trip I was able to meet other Black people living in Japan and students in my program that highlighted this. For instance, I visited a Nigerian restaurant to have food that I was craving from home. When I talked to the owner, I even found out he was from the same area as my dad which made the experience feel even more homely. Additionally, the closest friend I made during my study abroad was another Black student. Through her, I met other Black people who were either living in Japan permanently or interested in doing so in the future. These interactions and meetings, both big and small, made me feel like I was part of a broader community. While small in population, this community still meaningfully comprises the experiences of foreigners in Japan and those interested in Japanese culture.
Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
Despite my long study of Japanese, studying abroad in Japan still came with some uncertainties for me. Not only would this experience would be the first time I had travelled outside of the United States, but as someone who was not too used to exploring and independence in this way, I did not know if I would push myself to have meaningful experiences while in the country. Luckily, I was presented with to do a wide variety of things and step out of my comfort zone either by myself or thanks to people I met there.
Thanks to my friends, I had the chance to participate in experiences I might not have pursued alone or even known about. One instance was when a friend invited me to a festival, giving me the opportunity to witness the vibrant tradition of people carrying a mikoshi to bless various areas of the city and return it to the main shrine. Another memorable occasion arose when, after expressing a desire to visit Kyoto, a friend and I decided to embark on a spontaneous day trip over the weekend. Although it was a bit exhausting, the fast turnaround and the places we visited like the Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion made it an unforgettable adventure. Without my friends’ input and spontaneity, I might not have had the chance to explore these facets of Japanese culture or make such lasting memories.
While in Tokyo, one significant step I took was using the train system to explore new destinations independently. Unlike in the United States, where I’m not fond of driving and often find limited nearby attractions, I made a conscious effort during my study abroad experience to visit at least two new places each week, either after class or during my free time. Being situated in a bustling and well-connected city like Tokyo made this endeavor much more accessible. Living in close proximity to public transportation allowed me to explore a plethora of destinations, including iconic spots like Tokyo Disneyland and smaller places like the Kirby Cafe. These experiences not only expanded my horizons but also allowed me to fully immerse myself in what Japan had to offer.
Racism
An unfortunate reality for Black students looking to study abroad is how Black people are treated in the country they intend to travel to. While in Japan, I did not personally experience anything outwardly discriminatory based on my race. To my knowledge, I was mostly regarded normally by others.
Before coming to Japan, I watched some videos and read blog posts about other Black people’s experiences, and one of the key things I remembered from them is to be prepared for people staring which I agree with. Small children and elderly people would sometimes obviously stare at me but I do not recall an instance more severe than that. However, even with all the preparation in the world, the attention received from simply existing can still be tiring.
Although my experience was positive, it is important to note that even within a foreign dense city like Tokyo, acts of discrimination or microagression can and do still occur. I believe that I my experience was positive because I was in Tokyo, lived in a dorm connected to a university known for having foreigner students, and went to many tourist places in and outside of Tokyo.
Despite my generally positive experience, some other Black students in the program encountered incidents such as people touching their hair without asking and others choosing not to sit beside them on trains. So, you should always be aware and prepared for such instances when studying abroad, even in places like Tokyo.
Tips for Success
Studying abroad can be an overwhelming process with a lot of things to consider. Here are some tips to help you navigate both the preparation phase and the actual experience so that you can make the most out of your time abroad.
Search for Funding Early!
Even if you do not currently have plans on studying aboard, begin gathering and identifying what scholarships or opportunities for funding may be available to you. This will make the process for when you actually are in the phase of applying easier since you will know everything you need to do.
Funding can come from anywhere. Personally, I funded my study abroad experience through a combination of savings from internships and study abroad scholarships from my university and organizations like the Benjamin A. Gilman program. If you’re eligible for a Pell Grant, I highly recommend applying for the Gilman scholarship. Not only does it offer partial funding, but it also provides valuable resources for success throughout the study abroad process. Additionally, if you’re studying Japanese like me, you may even qualify for additional funding specifically for programs in Japan due to its status as a critical language.
Outside of simply receiving funding, the process of applying to major scholarships like the Gilman program and Freeman-ASIA scholarship allows you to actively reflect on what you have done and what you plan to do and how studying abroad fits into that ,which will be necessary for success. For me, this process not only allowed me to reflect on these aspects myself, but also, upon winning them, acted as a source of validation that I had done well so far and showed potential for a promising future connected to Japan.
Plan Ahead
Although I followed a lot of Japanese content throughout the years, I never had a bucket list of activities to pursue during my time in Japan. Consequently, I often missed out on tourist attractions I was interested in. For instance, I had hoped to visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, but when I finally attempted to secure tickets, it was too late.
Therefore, I recommend creating and maintaining a list of places you want to visit before and during your study abroad experience. Categorize them based on priority, ensuring you prioritize the places you are most eager to explore. This approach will help ensure you don’t miss out on the experiences that matter most to you.
Be selective of when you study abroad
Choosing the right time to study abroad is crucial for maximizing your experience. In my case, I opted to study abroad during my senior year of university, primarily because it was the only feasible semester available. While this decision had its benefits, such as having most of my major requirements completed, it also posed challenges. As I was simultaneously applying to graduate school, I found myself juggling study abroad experiences with application deadlines, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the experience. Additionally, I missed out on some senior-year activities due to my time abroad.
Moreover, studying abroad in the fall semester limited my options, as many Japanese universities don’t accommodate fall exchange students. Therefore, I recommend carefully considering the timing of your study abroad experience. By planning early and being mindful of your academic and personal commitments, you can select a time that aligns with your goals and allows you to fully embrace the study abroad experience.
In conclusion, my time in Tokyo, Japan, was an enriching experience that not only deepened my understanding of the Japanese language and culture but also bolstered my confidence in language learning and travel. Overall, I hope that sharing my experiences has provided you with insights, inspiration, or assistance in some way.
