Allison Eastman, Reflections

A chance meeting about anthropology and ethnography with Dr. Thompson ignited my journey into the exploration of Japanese Language and culture at Ohio University. A pivotal chapter in my academic growth and personal growth unfolded during a transformative six-month study-abroad stint at Chubu University in 2007. This period helped shape my perspectives, helped with my resilience, and fostered cultural empathy.

In 2007 Chubu University the students had to stay in dorms with dorm parents. Mr. and Mrs. Goto became a cornerstone of our adaptation to life on campus. If we had any questions about how to get somewhere to how to wear a kimono, they would help as best as they could. Their unwavering support and boundless patience with us as we attempted to communicate and understand them in Japanese was a source of inspiration.

Navigating the nuances of communication in a foreign tongue forged connections with fellow study-abroad students from China, Korea, and Malaysia. The collective endeavor to converse in Japanese, the shared language of our diverse cohort, was a poignant lesson in compassion and patience. Frustration often occurred in our attempts to bridge linguistic gaps, yet the mutual understanding that emerged was a testament to our resilience and kindred spirit. 

Among the many encounters that left an indelible mark, meeting Koko Kondo in Hiroshima stands out as one with profound impact. Her narrative, and recounting of her personal experiences made a deep impression to me that is hard for me to express to this day, but her overall kindness in extreme adversity still clings to me today and shapes my worldview.

Chubu University armed me with the confidence to embark on a six-year journey as an English teacher in Japan, navigating the intricacies of language and cultural amalgamation. This experience, both challenging and rewarding helped me further my belief in the power of transformative cross-cultural understanding tough patience, and communication.

It becomes evident that the intersections of time, people, and places experienced at Chubu have woven a narrative that extends beyond the confines of language. Studying abroad has etched an enduring chapter in the story of my life- one characterized by an unwavering commitment to fostering understanding in an interconnected world. I am forever grateful for these transformative experiences that have sculpted not only my academic and professional trajectory but have become a core part of who I am.