The Overseas Experience: A Reflection

 I've always wanted to see amazing sights and explore the world, and I'm very grateful that the University of Michigan – Flint's “East Asian Cultures and International Business” study abroad trip has given me my first chance to do so. This has been the biggest adventure of my life! Taiwan and Japan are incredible, beautiful islands that I'm very happy I got to visit.

 Being a foreigner for 3 weeks and a guest at various businesses has taught me many valuable lessons. Often, I learned from my own mistakes, such as forgetting my umbrella multiple times and getting lost at Yamaha or at the zoo. But I also had lots of fun and laughed more than I thought was possible with my new friends. Whether these friends are fellow U of M – Flint students, united by this experience, or students we met in Taiwan and Japan, we're now friends for life.

Our group became very close, very quickly. Maybe it's all of the group pictures we took, cheerfully yelling “waffle” as we huddled together with the U of M flag. We never had to force a smile – our diverse mix of personalities created a vault of inside jokes that kept us laughing until the moment we left Japan. Literally. From the Confucius Temple in Taipei to the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, we had fun every single day.

The people we've met in Japan and Taiwan are awesome, too. Some of the funnest nights on the trip were when we'd meet up with the students at the National Taiwan Normal University. We'd walk around the night markets in Taipei as they got us to try strange food like stinky tofu and pig's blood cake. We went to the zoo, the movie theater, and the ferris wheel together, both groups sharing these fun experiences and learning a lot about the other culture. I never expected to meet so many awesome people. 

I was surprised at how many people spoke English! Seeing the ability of these students to switch between languages is inspiring. It's fueled my desire to be fluent in another language. I also appreciate the kindness and respect that is embedded in these cultures. Although I am not a Buddhist or Shinto, I now believe everyone can learn valuable lessons from these religions, as well as the teachings of Confucius. They promote peace and a long term orientation that includes treating other people and nature with respect.

Northern coast of Taiwan

On that note, I loved the many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines we visited in Japan and Taiwan. They are elaborate, beautifully constructed buildings with deep meaning in the carvings and architecture. The age of some of these structures amazes me – many are several centuries old! The giant Buddha we visited in Kamakura was built 750 years ago! All that time ago, these people built something great that would outlive them. That spirit and vision is awe inspiring.

Confucius Temple in Taiwan

Shinto Shrine in Kamakura, Japan

This trip has also allowed me to broaden my business perspective in a number of ways. The many companies we've visited, small and large, have given me a better idea of how to do business internationally. I've seen many factories and assembly lines, from cars being made before my eyes at Mazda to the bicycle production at Giant to the instrument manufacturing at Yamaha. It's helped me to realize everything that goes into a great product, and that a great product can be marketed anywhere – people may have core cultural differences, such as language, but we're not so different after all.

I was also inspired by the ways I've seen art and business intertwined. Creativity is key at Franz, where they produce high quality artistic vases. At the sweet shop in Gifu, we made candy into edible works of art. At HTC, the lobby features local artwork and sculptures. As an artist, it's been cool to see the ways that art and creativity are important to business and how this relationship can be applied to products as well as marketing. After being a consumer in a different market, I can better appreciate good marketing - a key word or picture can make a huge difference, especially if you don't know the language! 

HTC's lobby

Good chips with good marketing

In Asia, we've seen the amount of pride and passion that people have for their work. This is part of the reason that the sweet shop and the Buddhist altar maker (in Gifu, Japan) are still open after 150 years. We were all positively impacted by how well we were treated - every single business was hospitable and made you feel honorable. This is the type of corporate culture I hope to replicate as a business owner someday. 

Sweet Shop in Gifu

This trip was incredibly fun and insightful. Dr. Peng and Dr. Laurence did an excellent job of planning and executing a very fulfilling study abroad program. At times it was exotic, when we would travel out of the city into the beautiful mountains or the small towns surrounding them. At times it was exciting, on the days when I forgot to check the itinerary and didn't know what to expect next. And it was always fun, because we were always going to interesting new places and seeing new, amazing sights with new friends.

Dr. Peng and Dr. Laurence at the ROC Presidential building 

After knowing nearly nothing about Taiwan before the trip, I can now really appreciate this small island's history and culture. I even can speak a little Mandarin! And while Japan is indeed crazy (in a good way), I learned that it isn't so different from the United States after all. I don't know which country I enjoyed more - like I said, they're both beautiful islands with amazing people. This trip has truly reaffirmed my love for traveling and reignited my desire to see the world. Where to next? I think I'm gonna explore more of my sweet home country: the United States. 

Thanks for reading! 

Japan Reflection

One year ago, I had no idea I would be in Japan. Now that I'm home, after 10 days in Japan, I'm reflecting on everything I brought home from this beautiful group of islands. I mean besides some cool souvenirs. I had a sumo shirt, a “win” bandanna, artwork by Katsushika Hokusai, and various gifts for my parents, grandma, friends, and cousins; including posters with the sumos' names in Japanese and the many flavors of Kit-Kat that only exist in Japan, such as the green tea Kit-Kat and the strawberry Kit-Kat.

I also brought home over 750 pictures and videos from Japan (not including the 1,000 pictures and videos that were taken in Taiwan). And while these pictures do what they can to capture the beauty of the island, they don't show how much I laughed or how much I learned. The videos can't capture the feeling of a bullet train rushing past you or the excitement that is the Shibuya district on a Saturday night.

In one of these pictures, you can barely see Mount Fuji in the distance. I can barely describe the feeling myself, but seeing Mount Fuji for the first time, as far away as we were, was an epic moment. We tried to get closer, riding the bullet train to the best station (which looked like a ghost station) for viewing the inactive volcano. But, by then, clouds had moved in and covered the mountain, leaving only the base in our sight. We didn't know before, but that was our only chance to see Mount Fuji – we had to be grateful for the pictures we did get.

In some of the best places in Japan you cannot take pictures. Inside many of the shrines and temples, there are giant statues of Buddha and beautiful, elaborate altars, with signs that say no photographs. One temple in Kamakura, the Hasedera Temple, has an amazing statue of Kannon, the so-called “god of mercy”. When I walked into this temple, I had no idea what it was housing. I stopped in awe at the sight of this statue, and had to admire it for several minutes. To respect the religion, there were no pictures taken. I knew that some of the best things in life you can't photograph – these moments can only live on as memories.

The same is true of all the funny moments on this trip: which, I'm afraid, I've done a poor job of capturing the humor of this study abroad trip in either pictures or this blog. We shared many laughs, whether it was inside jokes among our group, or laughs with our new friends from Nagoya University. Everywhere I went, from Tokyo to Gifu and back, I went with close friends, cheering "waffle!". At one Buddhist temple, our whole group was guided in meditation – which was funny in retrospect, as the TV crew caught us fumbling to get into position as we struggled to focus with cameras recording us.

The fact that a Japanese television show found us interesting enough to follow for 3 days was humorous in itself – though we'll have to wait and see what they captured. I think we represented the University of Michigan – Flint well. This was also true of our business visits, to Mazda, Yamaha, the sweet shop, and the Buddhist altar maker. Dr. Laurence did an excellent job showing us around Japan and used his personal contacts at Nagoya University and JICA to ensure that we had the best, most personal study abroad trip in Japan possible.

There is so much to do in Japan, I could have spent more time at each city we went to! Tokyo is large enough to spend weeks there and still not see everything – although it'd be expensive! Hiroshima was beautiful and one of the most memorable events on our trip. I'll never forget taking a ferry out to the small island where the Itsukushima Shrine is located, where deer freely roam. To me, that day will always represent the beauty of Japan. Gifu was an awesome town with awesome people, like the owners of the sweet shop who were 6^th generation owners of the family business. If I had more time there, I would have loved to explore the castles in the mountains or see the crane-fishing ceremony where people fish with birds on the river.

Japan was an incredible country and I'm very glad I got the chance to explore it. It's an oddly familiar country – one that will happily welcome a foreigner. It is as modern as I expected but perhaps more normal than I expected – the media paints a crazy picture, whereas the Japan I experienced was a much more relaxed nation. The people are very kind, and every person in service industry treated me with the utmost respect. I encountered many professional, respectable people in Japan – there is a high desire to work and to learn. The food is different, but for the most part excellent; the scenery is beautiful even on a cloudy day. 

So, I take home more than just souvenirs or pictures. I have great memories from Japan that I'll never forget. I have the lessons learned from the history of Japan, the spirit to rebuild and recover and continue. I know the pride and the passion the Japanese have for their work, and I hope to apply this discipline to my own work. It is inspiring. If I should ever return to Tokyo, I want to know the Japanese language better. This way, I could talk to more people and feel even more at home in Japan. 

Last days in Japan: Yamaha and JICA

“Go! Go! Go!” I could hear Carol yelling to push my way onto the crowded subway. I turn around as Ryan's backpack nearly gets caught in the closing doors. It was the last few days in Japan, and unfortunately, the last few days of the trip. The time had flown by – it seemed like we had just landed in Japan, and a week later, we were already getting ready to leave. But there were still places to be and more fun to be had. On Thursday we went to the Yamaha Musical Instrument Factory, where they make wind instruments. The following morning, U of M – Flint went to JICA, the Japan International Cooperation Agency. But first, we had to make it back to Tokyo from Gifu.

This involved a heavy amount of traveling with our luggage. Weighed down by the numerous souvenirs we had purchased during the trip, we had to lug our bags on the subways, up countless stairs, in taxis, and on the high speed rails to get where we needed to go. It was a final training exercise for our group, and we proved victorious. We were now unbreakable.

We made it to the Yamaha musical instrument factory, along with our luggage. It was one of the only rainy days we had experienced in Japan, and the camera crew from the Japanese television network was still traveling with us. Yamaha has numerous factories, and multiple different wind instruments are made in each one. I was very impressed as I began to realize why these instruments, many of them bronze, are so expensive.

A variety of machines and specialized workers are used to produce each instrument. We saw large machines used to bend the metal or cut the metal at the edges, some of them automated as though following their own song. A huge machine in the back of one factory now polished instruments – it was previously used to polish airplanes! Despite all of the modern capital, there were still many areas with people performing their work by hand. We saw workers carefully cutting wooden wind instruments, as well as inscribing saxophones by hand with a special design. As we walked past particular areas, a worker would pick up an instrument and play a few perfect notes to test it out. These workers were part of Yamaha's symphony orchestra and test each instrument as it is completed.

At one point during the Yamaha tour, I went to the bathroom and could not find the group when I came out. I walked outside and a worker approached me. It appeared as though the only English he spoke was the name of instruments. He helped me find a worker who did speak English, who took me back to the instrument showroom where our group started out. A nice woman came, and there was a brief misunderstanding in which she thought I was there for a solo tour. Then, a man from the tour rushed in – he had sprinted to find me! He took me back to the group, and of course the camera crew was there to catch my reunion on tape. I was embarrassed, knowing that my mistake may end up on Japanese television!

Thankfully, soon after, we said goodbye to the film crew. It was fun having them around, but it was a relief to no longer be on camera! The next morning, we had to be up early, looking our best for the Japan International Cooperation Agency. This is a quasi-governmental agency, which is independent but funded by the government. This organization offers Japan's official developmental assistance to developing countries. It disburses concessionary loans, grant aid, emergency assistance, technical expertise, and volunteer workers to countries that need this assistance. Overall, JICA is a very positive organization that helps with social infrastructure, health, communication, and education in third world countries.

Recognizing this as a possible career path for an international business major, I was very interested in this type of work. There are 1,000 to 1,500 JICA employees paid by the Japanese government, as well as another 1,000 workers on contract. JICA's loans have helped to build a bridge in Istanbul, the subway system in Dehli, India, and wind turbines in Egypt. Their "School for All" project is bridging the gap between schools and students and ensuring that girls get proper education.They also work closely with Japan Disaster Relief, striving to be the first to aid in a disaster. 

The JICA representative urged that if we'd like to be involved in this type of work, than to contact our government about the need for the United States Agency for International Development. This is because funding continually gets cut for international aid such as this. He said that management skills are fundamental in this field and he recommended taking part in some volunteer experiences, such as the Peace Corps, to further understand the needs of developing countries. This seems to be a very rewarding type of job that I want to look into further. 

Rich History in Gifu, Japan - Sweet Shop & Buddhist Altars

 Gifu, Japan. It's amazing that the day before, I had never heard of this city. Now I didn't want to leave! It's a gorgeous city, nestled in the mountains of central Japan. Our tour guide explained how it isn't quite ready for tourists, but perhaps this is part of its appeal – a more natural, modest town surrounded by temples, suburbs, and rice paddies, showing how the people of Japan really live. During our exploration of this town and its businesses, we were also followed by a camera crew! A cameraman, interviewer, and translator accompanied us on our journey for the Japanese TV show, “Why Are You in Japan?”

At the beginning of the day, everyone from U-M Flint was split into two groups. This was to make our business visits easier, but it essentially turned into this: the group that wanted to be on camera went with Dr. Laurence, and the rest went with Dr. Peng. Ryan and I were asked by the camera crew to be with Dr. Laurence so we could be filmed, so we obliged. We had the tricky goal of being funny on camera while representing our school to the best of our ability - I'd like to think we did a good job.

Our first stop was a Buddhist altar maker, which has been in business for over 150 years. I was expecting a small business that makes Buddha statues, so I was surprised to see large, elaborate altars used for honoring the dead. Some of them are elegant and beautiful, covered in gold and made to be displayed. Others are specifically more subtle, with wooden doors, allowing the altar to blend in with modern furniture. We learned a little about Buddhism; for instance, there are different branches, and zen Buddhists prefer the less flashy altars as a reflection of their faith. 

Surrounded by beautiful and expensive altars, we all sat on pillows to design our very own golden plate, using the same method that is used to lace the altars in gold. We first covered the front in a sticky residue which we called “washi-washi”. Then, using tongs, we carefully placed thin gold strips along the front of the plate. My plate looked messy at first, but after some finishing touches, it turned out good - even with the camera watching me create!

Next, we went to a sweet shop in Gifu, which was also over 150 years old! The man who demonstrated the process of making traditional candy, or “wagashi”, was the 6^th generation of his family to own this business. His passion for his work was very admirable. He told us the history of wagashi and his business – these kinds of candy are healthy, made from rice and vegetables, and are eaten in tea ceremonies. They represent food as an art form, for each one is created using multiple flavors and colors to alert all five senses.

We had three tasks – using the balls of wagashi in front of us, we were to create 3 different sweets with varying difficulties. The first was easy, in which one piece of wagashi is simply folded on top of another. Next, we had to create a cherry blossom – a Japanese flower-shaped treat. With the many colors and steps involved, this was a bit harder. Finally, using various tools, including chop sticks, we created a confetti-like candy. The camera crew complemented us on our chop stick ability – I told them we've had a lot of practice! After all of this “work”, we were served fresh tea and could eat our creations. I ate the confetti wagashi – it was great, unlike any sweet I have had before.

      A seafood restaurant.. not the one we ate at

In the evening, we met back up with the other group and ate dinner at a seafood restaurant in Gifu. The owners of the sweet shop, the Gifu tour guides, and of course the television crew joined us for a great celebration dinner, the last we would have as a whole group. Here, with the added pressure of being on camera, I tried a good amount of new foods, such as raw octopus. I ate it with wasabi, a hot condiment, and it wasn't too bad! The camera crew asked us to reflect on the businesses we visited – and I still think it's incredible that 150 years later, family members of the original founders are continuing the family tradition. They displayed a pride and a passion for their work that makes them successful. They honor their history daily and teach others about their work. These small businesses certainly have a lot to be proud of, and have encouraged me to learn more about my own family's history.

Hiroshima, Kamakura, & Nagoya

 We've been to several cities in the past few days. Our 7-day Japan Rail pass has taken us all over the main island of Japan, from Tokyo to Hiroshima and back up to Gifu. The public transportation infrastructure is amazing in this country – the system of trains, high speed rails, and subways will get you anywhere you want to go in Japan. We just flash our rail pass to a guard and soon we're going 160 mph on the “bullet” train!

Our first visit outside of Tokyo was Kamakura, the former capital of Japan (for only about a century) beginning in 1192. The older, small town feel of Kamakura, with its many temples and shrines, was an excellent contrast to the big, busy city of Tokyo. 

Our visit to the Kamakura Buddha, the second largest buddha statue in Japan, began our long on-foot tour of the beautiful town and its historical landmarks. The Buddha was glorious on this perfect day, slightly smiling against the blue sky as if posing for our pictures. For just 10 yen, you can go inside the hollow statue and see how it was made. Over 7 centuries ago, this statue was built piece by piece, and it was later reinforced to protect it against earthquakes. As my new friend, Li Chen, would say: significant!

The next day, we were in Hiroshima and visited its memorial and museum. It truly was a moving and emotional experience to see how this city has overcome the atomic bomb that was dropped here in 1945. As we approached the “A-bomb dome”, which is a devastated building that was preserved to show the effects of the bomb, we could hear a choir beautifully singing songs across the river. The museum was especially sad, with burnt clothes of the victims, many of them children. After walking through it, I signed an anti-nuke petition at the exit.

It was another bright and sunny day in Japan, which added to the feeling of hope that Hiroshima somehow conveys despite its dark past. The grass is green, despite the post-war estimates that said grass would not grow here for 100 years. A plaque in front of the beautiful memorial says “For we shall not repeat the evil”, and after connecting with the victims of this atomic bombing, some of which still suffering today, I truly hope that something like this does not happen again.

We spent the night in Osaka before traveling to Nagoya in the morning to visit Nagoya University. During the campus tour, we saw many impressive buildings with modern architecture. We learned that this university has 3 alumni that received the Nobel prize – all in the last 14 years! The man who invented the LED also attended this university. We met some very smart students studying education and psychology, and I was asking them who would be the next to receive a Nobel prize. 

Here, my Japanese guide book came in handy! Although most of the students could speak good English, I had fun communicating in Japanese. I learned the phrase “sasayaka na mono desu ga”, which means “This is a small present for you”, as we passed out University of Michigan pens, sticky notes, and cell phone stands that we had. They loved the gifts and I made several new friends.

We introduced ourselves and talked about college life. They were very interested in our stories, although I discovered that our lives didn't seem all that different! I talked about the many side jobs I had while going to school, for not all college students have part time jobs in Japan. The conversation turned to our favorite TV shows and movies, and I met a fellow Lost fan. As we went out to dinner at one of the best restaurants we've been to yet, the movie conversation continued. The girl we sat with loved movies directed by Sofia Coppola and Wes Anderson, which I have yet to see - such as "Lost in Translation"! The meal was delicious, as the courses were seemingly endless. As our new friend and “food guide” told us, “food is entertaining!”   

        Chris reflecting at Nagoya University