When I first signed up for a semester abroad in Japan, I was filled with various emotions. One part of me was nervous and sad, while another part of me was excited. One of my fears before coming to Japan was not finding my people. My nervousness came from the fact that I felt I would immediately be hit with a wave of homesickness and that I would want to return home to my family immediately. However, that was not the case at all. Other the past few months, my best-case scenario has played out right in front of my eyes, making this goodbye so difficult.

When I arrived in Japan, I met so many people from all over the world. We immediately felt a connection because we were all in the same boat, away from our families and out of our comfort zones. Friendships formed while studying abroad are so different from friendships formed back home. In such a short time, your friends start to become your family. You will cry together, laugh together, and feel so many other emotions together. They will experience your lowest lows with you, as well as your highest of highs. The bond that you build with your friend is so special. I think it is so strong partially because the time we have together has a deadline from the start. Once the semester is up, there is a chance that you will never be in the same space as all of your friends ever again because everyone comes from various parts of the world. Therefore, the time that is granted to us is so special.

Every good memory I have is because of the people I have met here in Japan. They have stood by me through thick and thin. Although this goodbye at the end of the semester will be very painful, we know we have so many memories to look back on to remember the time we all took a leap of faith and left our families and countries behind to live in the amazing country of Japan. We may never be in the same place again, but we will never forget the time we spent together. To anyone preparing to study abroad, just remember that you will find your family. Never stop looking for your people or thinking that you will not find them. Once you find your people, they will help make your experience even more positive.