My time at Kogakuin was easily one of the best experiences I had during my time in high school. Being part Japanese and having done exchanges at a middle and elementary school near my grandmother in Japan’s house, I was very excited to have another opportunity to go to school in Japan. Unlike my previous experiences, many of the students were able to speak English, some classes were in English while others were in Japanese, and I also had school on Saturdays. Some of these differences were easy to become accustomed to, while others were harder, but they positively impacted my time in Japan. I felt very comfortable in the environment Kogakuin created, as I could practice my Japanese and hone my skills while having my English skills to fall back on if I really couldn’t convey something. Another thing I appreciated about the international class was that many of my classmates shared the same background as me, and I quickly became close to them. Many of them had a Japanese background, but also identified with a different country, so I loved listening to their experiences outside Japan. My days at Kogakuin were filled with laughter, learning experiences, and fun, whether just in class, hanging out with my friends after school, or participating in club activities. I will forever treasure the memories I made from my exchange, and I hope to visit again soon. I was very flattered that many of my classmates told me that I had changed the dynamic of the class and brought everyone together. I felt so incredibly loved by my friends, and I’m not exaggerating at all when I say that it was truly one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. Even though I was in Japan for a month, I felt that time went by incredibly fast and I wanted to stay longer. Doing an exchange will definitely broaden your horizons, which is why I encourage anyone to try it out.