After growing up in the United States, senior Julia Adams decided to study abroad, diving into the diverse culture of Japan.

Adams, whose mother is Japanese, decided to go to school in Japan to explore and better understand her roots as well as have the opportunity to meet new people.

“I thought going would allow me to find my identity as well as make me a well-rounded person who understands the world on a greater level,” Adams said.

Adams attended a Japanese boarding school in which the only English that was spoken was in her English class.

“I also lived at the dormitory where I was able to meet more people and also improve my Japanese skills,” Adams said.  “I am now pretty much fluent in speaking Japanese.”

This was not the first time in Japan for Adams.  She has been visiting her grandmother, cousins, and friends, who live in Japan, every summer. Her family lives 3 hours away from her school via bullet train. This gave Adams a good idea of what Japanese culture was like, easing the culture shock of the move.  She said this made the transition into living in Japan easier.

“The people in Japan were so welcoming and nice and even treated me like a celebrity,” Adams said. “People I barely knew, knew of me and would often smile and wave when they saw me in the hallways. I immediately felt at home. It is a great country that is very welcoming to foreigners.”

Adams however did feel a culture shock going to school in Japan versus schooling in Piedmont.

“The one thing that was hard was the homework load and tests were overwhelming and I found it difficult to keep track of what was happening,” Adams said.

The school day also lasted longer in Japan, ending at 4:30 with tutorial until five.

“I also missed the wide range of choices for electives [Piedmont had] and am happy to be taking A Capella again,” Adams said.

Besides school differences, Adams saw many differences between Japanese and American culture.

Adams described how,in Japan, there is an extreme emphasis on treating adults with respect.  Anyone older than you, even just one grade above, was addressed formally as a sign of respect.

The teenage culture was also very different than what Adams was used to.  Once spending free time on Piedmont Ave, Adams spent time in Purikura photo booths and Karaoke bars.

“Purikura makes your skin look clearer as well as your eyes bigger and even legs longer,” Adams said.

Adams said Japanese fashion contrasted to what she was used to seeing in Piedmont

“It is very flashy and girls tend to wear frilly skirts and cute tops all the time not just [for] special occasions.”

Adams encourages everyone to go abroad at some point in their life.

“It is really  a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you learn so much about the country as well as yourself,” Adams said. “It also helps you become more mature and understand the world on a deeper level.”