My First 6 Months in Japan
By: Lucas Munn, 3F Submitted: April 5th, 2025
My first six months in Japan have been a really fun and interesting experience. I’ve learned so many new things and had so many awesome experiences that it’s hard to sum it all up in one essay. The changes in my daily life, cultural experiences, and interactions with different people have given me a deeper understanding of life in Japan. The adjustment wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely worth it. Looking back, I realize how much I’ve grown and how much I still have to learn.
One of the biggest changes I experienced was the difference in daily life between Japan and the United States. In America, I lived in a small town where I would get up later, usually at around 7:30 AM, and either ride my bike to school or get driven by my parents. The distance wasn’t far, so it was an easy and quick commute. Here in Japan, however, at my first host family's house I had to wake up much earlier, around 6:30 AM, to catch the train to school. The train station was about a 10-minute walk from my house, and the commute was much longer. At first, this was a big challenge for me, especially because I wasn’t used to waking up so early. There were a few times when I was late for the train, and it took a lot of getting used to. Eventually, though, I found my rhythm, and now I’m able to manage my time much better. I’ve also gotten used to the crowded trains, something I had never experienced in America.
Another major difference I encountered was the structure of school life. In America, we have a lot of flexibility when it comes to our schedules. We switch classrooms for each subject, and the teachers usually have their own classrooms, which they decorate with posters and other materials. This system is quite different from Japan, where students stay in the same classroom for most of the day, and the teachers move between classrooms. At first, this felt a little strange to me, but over time, I got used to it. I also had to get used to the fact that, in Japan, students are responsible for cleaning their classrooms after school, which is something we never did in the United States. Every day after the last class, we take turns cleaning the floors, windows, and desks. It’s a great way to keep the school environment neat and organized, and it also encourages a sense of responsibility and teamwork.
In addition, school clubs in Japan are much more important than in America. In my school in the United States, most clubs meet once or twice a week, and they often meet during lunch. The sports clubs are the exception, as they practice after school. However, in Japan, nearly all the clubs (that I know of) meet after school and have longer, more regular meetings. Joining a club here is a big commitment. In fact, the clubs are almost like a second family. I’ve gone to several different clubs, which has been an amazing experience, but it also means I’m getting home much later than I did in the United States. At first, this was hard for me to adjust to, but I’ve come to appreciate the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities and deepen my involvement with the school community.
Living in Japan has given me the chance to experience many aspects of Japanese culture that are completely different from anything I’d known before. For example, I had the opportunity to visit a shrine at the beginning of the new year, which was an incredibly meaningful and eye-opening experience. During New Year’s, many Japanese people visit shrines to pray for good fortune and happiness in the upcoming year. I was able to join my host family for this tradition, and it made me feel connected to the culture in a very personal way.
Another cultural experience that stood out to me was participating in the school festivals, which are events we don’t have in the USA. The school festival was a time when students came together to showcase their talents and celebrate the school community. One of the highlights for me was the horror rooms at the festival, which were terrifying but so much fun! The sports festival was another unique event that allowed me to participate in various athletic competitions and experience the sense of camaraderie and school spirit that is such a big part of Japanese culture. I thoroughly enjoyed these events, and they made me feel more connected to my classmates.
In addition to cultural experiences, my Japanese language skills have improved significantly since I arrived. When I first got to Japan, I could barely speak or understand Japanese, and I relied heavily on my host families and friends to help me communicate. But over the past six months, I’ve been studying Japanese intensively, and I’ve seen great progress. I can now understand and hold basic conversations, though I still make a lot of mistakes. My goal is to reach at least the N4 level of Japanese proficiency by the time I go back home, and I’m committed to studying as much as I can to reach that level. Although it’s still challenging, I’m motivated to keep improving and becoming more fluent.
One of the most rewarding parts of my exchange experience has been living with different host families. Each family has its own unique traditions and way of doing things, and it’s been fascinating to see how people live in different parts of Japan. For example, with my first host family, I was told to shower as soon as I got home from school. However, with my second and third host families, I was told to shower after dinner, which is the custom I’m used to in the United States. These small differences have taught me a lot about how families can vary not only in their customs but also in their day-to-day routines. I feel grateful to have been able to experience these diverse lifestyles, as they have given me a deeper appreciation for the culture.
Throughout my time in Japan, I’ve also made many new friends, both Japanese students and other exchange students. I’ve enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and sharing our experiences. Some of my closest friends are fellow Rotary exchange students, and we’ve had the opportunity to go on various excursions together. For example, I went on a Rotary excursion to Lake Biwa and Hiroshima, both of which were fantastic trips filled with fun, adventure, and learning. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Rotary excursion to Tokyo this summer, and I’m excited to see more of Japan and experience even more of its rich culture.
The first half of my exchange has been a truly life-changing experience. There have been challenges, especially in adjusting to a new schedule and a completely different culture, but overall, it has been an unforgettable and rewarding time. I’ve learned so much about Japan, its people, and its culture, and I’m excited to see what the second half of my exchange holds. I hope to continue improving my Japanese and to make the most of the time I have left here before I return to the United States. I know that my time in Japan will have a lasting impact on my life, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had so far.
ルーカス・マン（Lucas Munn）３年Ｆ組
My First 6 Months in Japan
By: Lucas Munn, 3F Submitted: April 5th, 2025
My first six months in Japan have been a really fun and interesting experience. I’ve learned so many new things and had so many awesome experiences that it’s hard to sum it all up in one essay. The changes in my daily life, cultural experiences, and interactions with different people have given me a deeper understanding of life in Japan. The adjustment wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely worth it. Looking back, I realize how much I’ve grown and how much I still have to learn.
One of the biggest changes I experienced was the difference in daily life between Japan and the United States. In America, I lived in a small town where I would get up later, usually at around 7:30 AM, and either ride my bike to school or get driven by my parents. The distance wasn’t far, so it was an easy and quick commute. Here in Japan, however, at my first host family's house I had to wake up much earlier, around 6:30 AM, to catch the train to school. The train station was about a 10-minute walk from my house, and the commute was much longer. At first, this was a big challenge for me, especially because I wasn’t used to waking up so early. There were a few times when I was late for the train, and it took a lot of getting used to. Eventually, though, I found my rhythm, and now I’m able to manage my time much better. I’ve also gotten used to the crowded trains, something I had never experienced in America.
Another major difference I encountered was the structure of school life. In America, we have a lot of flexibility when it comes to our schedules. We switch classrooms for each subject, and the teachers usually have their own classrooms, which they decorate with posters and other materials. This system is quite different from Japan, where students stay in the same classroom for most of the day, and the teachers move between classrooms. At first, this felt a little strange to me, but over time, I got used to it. I also had to get used to the fact that, in Japan, students are responsible for cleaning their classrooms after school, which is something we never did in the United States. Every day after the last class, we take turns cleaning the floors, windows, and desks. It’s a great way to keep the school environment neat and organized, and it also encourages a sense of responsibility and teamwork.
In addition, school clubs in Japan are much more important than in America. In my school in the United States, most clubs meet once or twice a week, and they often meet during lunch. The sports clubs are the exception, as they practice after school. However, in Japan, nearly all the clubs (that I know of) meet after school and have longer, more regular meetings. Joining a club here is a big commitment. In fact, the clubs are almost like a second family. I’ve gone to several different clubs, which has been an amazing experience, but it also means I’m getting home much later than I did in the United States. At first, this was hard for me to adjust to, but I’ve come to appreciate the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities and deepen my involvement with the school community.
Living in Japan has given me the chance to experience many aspects of Japanese culture that are completely different from anything I’d known before. For example, I had the opportunity to visit a shrine at the beginning of the new year, which was an incredibly meaningful and eye-opening experience. During New Year’s, many Japanese people visit shrines to pray for good fortune and happiness in the upcoming year. I was able to join my host family for this tradition, and it made me feel connected to the culture in a very personal way.
Another cultural experience that stood out to me was participating in the school festivals, which are events we don’t have in the USA. The school festival was a time when students came together to showcase their talents and celebrate the school community. One of the highlights for me was the horror rooms at the festival, which were terrifying but so much fun! The sports festival was another unique event that allowed me to participate in various athletic competitions and experience the sense of camaraderie and school spirit that is such a big part of Japanese culture. I thoroughly enjoyed these events, and they made me feel more connected to my classmates.
In addition to cultural experiences, my Japanese language skills have improved significantly since I arrived. When I first got to Japan, I could barely speak or understand Japanese, and I relied heavily on my host families and friends to help me communicate. But over the past six months, I’ve been studying Japanese intensively, and I’ve seen great progress. I can now understand and hold basic conversations, though I still make a lot of mistakes. My goal is to reach at least the N4 level of Japanese proficiency by the time I go back home, and I’m committed to studying as much as I can to reach that level. Although it’s still challenging, I’m motivated to keep improving and becoming more fluent.
One of the most rewarding parts of my exchange experience has been living with different host families. Each family has its own unique traditions and way of doing things, and it’s been fascinating to see how people live in different parts of Japan. For example, with my first host family, I was told to shower as soon as I got home from school. However, with my second and third host families, I was told to shower after dinner, which is the custom I’m used to in the United States. These small differences have taught me a lot about how families can vary not only in their customs but also in their day-to-day routines. I feel grateful to have been able to experience these diverse lifestyles, as they have given me a deeper appreciation for the culture.
Throughout my time in Japan, I’ve also made many new friends, both Japanese students and other exchange students. I’ve enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and sharing our experiences. Some of my closest friends are fellow Rotary exchange students, and we’ve had the opportunity to go on various excursions together. For example, I went on a Rotary excursion to Lake Biwa and Hiroshima, both of which were fantastic trips filled with fun, adventure, and learning. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Rotary excursion to Tokyo this summer, and I’m excited to see more of Japan and experience even more of its rich culture.
The first half of my exchange has been a truly life-changing experience. There have been challenges, especially in adjusting to a new schedule and a completely different culture, but overall, it has been an unforgettable and rewarding time. I’ve learned so much about Japan, its people, and its culture, and I’m excited to see what the second half of my exchange holds. I hope to continue improving my Japanese and to make the most of the time I have left here before I return to the United States. I know that my time in Japan will have a lasting impact on my life, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had so far.