Alanis Stapelfeldt
2024-2025 Tanaka & Green Scholar
Having never traveled alone internationally before, deciding to arrive a few days early in Sapporo before the start of my program was a significant decision. Despite this, drawn by Hokkaido’s rich history, the culture of the Ainu, and the stunning natural landscapes, I could not pass up this opportunity. By the time I arrived in Osaka for the start of the program, I had not only recovered from the jet lag but also gained a newfound confidence to explore more of Japan independently.
During the program, I lived in a share-house with two others in my program and three Japanese students. While the house itself wasn’t the most comfortable, I’m glad to have lived there thanks to my housemates. Though there were a few awkward moments brought about by cultural differences, we got along well, and everyone was eager to learn about each other’s countries. Many nights were spent gathered around the living room table, cooking, studying, and playing games together. By the end, it felt like home and was where I formed some of my most meaningful connections during my time in Japan.
While I initially worried that having fewer than 30 people in the program might feel too small, it turned out to be the perfect size, and we quickly formed a close-knit community. We often met up at nearby restaurants, went on day trips, and spent time with our Japanese housemates. Without them, I wouldn’t have discovered some of my favorite places, like a cute cat-themed stationery store, or had some of my most valuable experiences.
One of my favorite memories was celebrating Thanksgiving together. As an important American holiday during the semester, we organized a potluck-style feast of traditional Thanksgiving foods. Though we didn’t have turkey, everyone’s contribution made it just as special. While we may no longer be able to meet, I will always treasure the friendships we formed and hope that someday in the future, we will have the chance to reunite.
As someone who loves trying new foods, I eagerly tried any new food I could, from restaurant dishes to pre-made meals from grocery stores. However, I quickly noticed a surprising lack of vegetables in many meals. To balance this out, I began cooking at home using both recipes from home and Japan. I found it a way to bring a bit of home into my experience abroad and share it with my housemates.
Beyond my program, Osaka was the perfect location to study abroad. Being Japan’s 3rd largest city provided all of the benefits of a large city while being a short train ride away from the suburbs, nature, and nearby prefectures. While there is a scarcity of parks in Osaka, it is surrounded by mountains filled with nature. I often visited Umeda, but also decided to go somewhere new every weekend, visiting famous spots around Osaka, or wandering through quiet neighborhoods, local shrines, and shopping streets. One favorite destination was Omihachiman, a small town with a beautiful canal lined by preserved historic houses, and a nearby mountain offering breathtaking views of Lake Biwa. I was also lucky to be able to attend the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival, the largest of its kind in Japan. Despite standing for hours under the hot sun, I found it worth it watching the floats racing around corners with parades of people following them and seeing the streets lined with stalls selling typical Japanese festival foods.
Naturally, I was able to improve my Japanese language skills both in and outside of the classroom, though I found the elective classes I took to be just as valuable. Osaka Dialect was the elective course at Osaka Gakuin University that I was most excited about. It was incredibly rewarding every time I heard and could understand the Osaka dialect from my housemates or the local bento shop owner with a very strong accent. In contrast, I wasn’t initially excited about the “Society, Labor, and Gender in Japan” class, but it ended up being very valuable. Learning about the systemic challenges women face in Japan and how it compares to the US not only deepened my understanding of Japanese society but also brought up points that would be important if I decided to work in Japan. Combined with my professor’s own experiences as a woman who immigrated to Japan added an informative perspective. The class made me question if I wanted to work in Japan, but it also strengthened my resolve to pursue a master’s degree there.
In the end, a semester was far too short to experience everything I had hoped to in Japan, but I am confident that I made the most of the time I had. While Japan is often described as being vastly different, I found just as many, if not more, similarities. By the end of my study abroad, everyday life there felt as natural and familiar as it does in the US. I am deeply grateful to have received the Tanaka and Green Scholarship from the Japan-America Society of Washington D.C. for allowing me to have all of these experiences. As I prepare for graduate school, I am unsure where I’ll end up, but I hope that someday I can live in Japan again.
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