Aloha from Japan!
I can’t believe I’ve already been here for over a week and a half! I didn’t really talk about this whole project/trip beforehand, but I’ll do so now.
I was asked to be a part of a UH team comprised of two undergraduate students and two graduate students for the Tokachi Project 2014. For this project, 14 business leaders from Hawaii and us students from UH journeyed to Tokachi under the auspices of Hawaii Asia Pacific Association (HAPA) to meet with and mentor a contingent of university students from Japan organized by Very50, a non-profit educational entity in Japan committed to social change around the world. Together, our group combines our intellectual, entrepreneurial, and creative energies to address one of the most formidable challenges now facing the people of Tokachi.
The Hawaii team Skyped the Japan team every Friday to work on a strategic plan to implement in Tokachi for several months leading up to our trip. In addition, the HAPA Young Leaders were working on several different projects as well that made up our strategic plan.
A week and a half ago we flew to Japan to experience Tokachi firsthand and flesh out our strategic plan with the Japan team. Our first week here we were wined, dined, and had the opportunity to meet the farmers and owners living in Tokachi.
I’ve never heard of Tokachi before so this was an eye-opening experience. It still is. It’s also my first time visiting Asia and more specifically my homeland! I’m learning so much every single day.
There’s so much to talk about, but here are nine things that stuck out to me:
1. I’m proud of my heritage. I love having the chance to live in Japan. Being half Japanese, it was always my dream to live in Japan and experience my culture firsthand. I’m getting an even deeper understanding of my culture.
2. Languages are the best. I love learning languages and communicating with the locals. My Japanese is coming back to me slowly but surely. Although it was five years ago that I stopped studying Japanese, I faintly recall what I’ve learned. And of course being immersed in this language, I can’t help but learn. The second night here I even dreamt in Japanese!
3. I love new experiences and trying new things. Whether it’s trying new food for the first time or going to the onsen, I love having the opportunity to just try things and make my own decision on how I feel about it. I’ll never know until I try!
4. I dislike suitcases big time. When I was packing for this trip, I was content with just my backpack but attempted to pack a suitcase since I could bring one for free. I realized I don’t like lugging it around. I had to laugh cus when I weighed my checked in suitcase at the airport it only weighed 25 pounds. Apparently I have a ton of room for omiyage!
5. I love having my perception of life questioned. I think and act the way I do, but I love it when I experience something or someone that either questions why I do things the way I do or just does something that I’ve never thought of. It gives me the opportunity to revaluate why I do things the way I do and in turn it will either give me the confidence in what I stand for or give me the chance to change my way of thinking.
6. I thrive outside my comfort zone. I’m most comfortable here, sitting in a room where everyone is speaking Japanese as I write my blog. Life is wonderful.
7. Doing business internationally is hard. I didn’t think it would be this hard because I have a Japanese background and I’ve done business before with Europeans. However, doing business with Asians is completely different. Although this is the case, I’m learning and loving every minute of it!
8. The Tokachi people are so warm and welcoming. I’m glad I have the opportunity to experience a small town and the rural areas surrounding it. I’m truly blown away at their kindness and hospitality.
9. Being mentored by the HAPA Young Leaders was such a blessing. They are the up and coming leaders in Hawaii and although they are in these prestigious positions, they are such humble and amazing people. I learned so much from them and it was wonderful seeing a different side of them. Especially to see everyone come together for this social cause and taking the time out to talk to me, I couldn’t have asked for better mentors!
I could go on and on about this trip, but I’ll just add a few pictures for now and talk more about it when I have the chance. I’m about to go eat some delicious Japanese food for dinner!
Mission on the Ground (MoG). Hawaii and Japan team!
Hawaii and Japan delegation!
Love these gals! (Left: Moeka. Right: Megumi.)
I love yakiniku! And Japanese food in general!
