It’s hard to believe that our trip to Japan has come to an end. It almost feels like we’ve been here forever, and its really strange to think that soon I will be back home and sleeping in my own bed. I know I will look back on this trip with many fond memories. From riding the train to school with my host student to staying overnight at a Buddhist temple, every experience taught me something new. I have discovered so much about Japanese culture and people, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I learned a lot, but one important lesson that I will take away from this trip is the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. When we first arrived I truly felt like I had stepped into a different world. I was bombarded with completely new and different people, places, and things. At first it was a little overwhelming, but I’m really glad that I was able to get used to it. I wouldn’t have gotten nearly as much out of this trip had I not let go of any discomfort I had with what was new and different. It is easy to close yourself off from anything unfamiliar, but I’ve learned that if you choose not to you allow yourself to discover so much about the world around you. When I return, I will try to incorporate this into my daily life.