ALOHA TO ARIGATO - HPU ALUM AMELIA NOFOAGATOTO'A SHARES HER STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE IN JAPAN

Amelia Nofoagatoto'a, a recent HPU graduate earning a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, reminisces about her transformative experience studying abroad in Japan at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies. Living in Hawaiʻi, this was Nofoagatoto'a’s first time leaving the U.S. She discovered the vibrant world of Japan, where every new experience and encounter left a mark on her journey of cultural exploration.

Throughout her experiences, Nofoagatoto'a was immersed in Japan's rich culture, history, and cuisine. She learned about various cultural traditions, meals, public transportation, dealing with large crowds, and even rules on proper waste disposal. She specifically recounts the memories of trying new fish dishes and eating sushi at the delicious place down the street from her dorm. However, her favorite memory was waking up in her dorm room every day to see the beautiful cherry blossoms outside her window. 

While Nofoagatoto'a experienced some elements of culture shock, she noted that Hawaiian culture didn't differ greatly from Japanese culture. “Culturally, I don't think there was much of a difference. I noticed a lot of overlap because, growing up in Hawaiʻi, we had a bunch of different cultural groups in my neighborhoods and my schools. Over the years, I learned from them and noticed things that they practiced were things I also practiced in my own home. For example, my family and I don’t wear shoes in the house and that also happens to be a significant part of Japanese culture. In the dorms, we had house shoes to switch into."

Nofoagatoto'a, describing herself as reserved and quiet, shares guidance for others who identify similarly. She suggests not hesitating to engage socially, and advises being open to interactions, even while simply doing homework in a communal space, which can serve as valuable starting points towards fostering connections.

Nofoagatoto'a was immersed in Japanese culture, but she was also able to meet people from around the globe and learn about their lives. During her time at the international house, she lived alongside people from all over the world – Portugal, France, mainland USA, the UK, South Africa, China, and beyond. Nofoagatoto'a not only experienced the local culture while studying abroad but interacted with fellow international students allowing for a rich exchange of perspectives and learning opportunities beyond borders.

She also explains that the experience of new cultures is impactful and can lead to personal discoveries. “Looking at your everyday life closer and seeing what maybe is normal to you but different to someone else and being more empathetic towards them.”

Within her classes, Nofoagatoto'a experienced a lot of hands-on education related to various aspects of Japanese culture. “There were things I never thought I would learn, like a traditional performing arts class I took,” she recounts. “In that class, we learned traditional Japanese dance, Taiko drums, and a string instrument. It was amazing because we got to hold and play these instruments while also delving into the history and traditions behind Japanese performing arts. We learned how performances are structured, why certain elements are incorporated, and how to interact effectively in a performance setting.”  She also embarked on numerous field trips to Japanese temples and historical places.

While Nofoagatoto'a made a few key friends and owes a lot of thanks to HPU Director of the Study Abroad and International Exchange Program Melissa Matsubara, she remembers one particular teacher from Japan who stood out to her. “We had three, but he was the main one who spoke English and was keen on ensuring that international students were comfortable and transitioning well,”  she recalls. “So, he always made sure we could visit during his office hours. Even if we weren’t asking questions about class, he was just like, 'Hey, if you have cultural questions or concerns, you can always talk to me if you're not comfortable with the English counselor they have on campus because of XYZ.'  Because we’d developed a connection with him through our Japanese classes, we felt more at ease going to him for anything we needed. I felt that this helped me a lot because he also gave me advice on what not to do in Japan, how to consider things, and how to look at things from a different perspective than what I was accustomed to," reflected Nofoagatoto'a.

Nofoagatoto'a’s biggest piece of advice is, “I recommend studying abroad. I think it gives people a lot of different perspectives, and you get to interact with people you never would have thought of. Just be open to trying new experiences or living in the moment. It’s so crucial, especially in a whole different country. When will you ever get the chance to go back?"

For more information on HPU’s Study Abroad Program visit: Study Abroad and International Exchange Programs