The beginning of my stay would have seemed a little slow and hard, I never thought of going back. Living through the tragedy of the terrorist attack on New York and staying strong through the times where I was most lonely, I never had doubt that Japan was my country also until my year was over. Though I learned about real Japanese culture and tradition, I missed celebrating and living in my own. My family was in my heart, but I will never forget that I now have more than one family. Many people learn about the history and the traditional culture of Japan, but to me that was not why I came here. If I were to plan on returning here in the future, I wanted to experience and learn how a Japanese family works. Not just the family one is born into, but the family one makes.

Many may not think so, but I believe that schools in Japan also function as a family and are a very important factor in the maturity of a student. All that a family may not teach and help develop; the school at times takes responsibility to illustrate. Respect and Discipline may be expected in a family, but they are taught in school. The student is like a son to the school. So when the student fails, the school feels responsible for not being able to teach him better. It may take many years for a student to realize this, for very few will admit this fact, but from being an observer and a graduate from my own school family back in America, I know how it feels to make my family proud.

All though I may have not been treated, nor have I acted, as a true student of this school, I do feel like it is an attachment to my ever-growing family. If it has not been for this school, I do not believe I would have learned so much about the culture nor met as many people and made as many connections for a possible future life here in Japan.

With the friends I have made here, I was able to visit many famous and historical places such as Osaka Jo and various temples, such as Shitenouji, each with their own story. I have had the pleasure of visiting the Aquarium, a few museums, and the Planetarium. I also learned about traditional culture such as the Tea ceremony and have been able to taste different kinds of delicacies.

The school has made this year the greatest year of my life and I know that I will return to America with stories to tell about everything that has happened to me hear and about my life in school. My only regret is not knowing more students and making more friends to talk about to my friends in America. The students here are truly unique and interesting.