Eyes opened, heart touched: A journey of friendship, culture, and faith

Ateneo's Japan Cultural Immersion Program (28 May to 4 June 2025) was one of the most memorable experiences of my life! The itinerary stops taught me so much beyond just culture: Osaka's busy city proper, Kyoto's temples, and the emotional stop in Hiroshima. Although I loved every stop of Expo City in Osaka, the hospitality of all citizens, and the sense I could get from how much Japanese culture loves its history through temples and gardens, the most impressive stop was in Hiroshima, where we visited the Peace Memorial Park. When I saw the A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, my heart sank.  My heart felt heavy when I heard its touching history. It’s hard to believe something so sad happened in such a beautiful place. Yet it made me realize the strength of the people of Hiroshima and their faith in peace. This made me realize the importance of being considerate, forgiving, and peaceful. I also learned a lot about how wonderful their customs are. They are sincere, respectful, and disciplined. They bow, take off their shoes before entering homes, and stand and wait patiently in lines. These little things increased my awareness of how much they do for each other and how much they respectfully and consistently uphold their way of life.

My favorite stop was Notre Dame Seishin School in Okayama, where we attended a science class, had lunch of tofu, beef, miso, rice, and soup, and visited their chapel. We performed Itik-Itik and Anima Christi for them, and their students performed a song for us. I appreciated this so very much not only because it was a gift but it also showed me how they treat education and spirituality as entirely separate realms. A piece of my heart was captured by the students at Notre Dame Seishin. We connected so easily because they are so genuinely welcoming. I wanted to know about their culture and day-to-day life. Moved by my immersion experience, I felt inspired to dive deeper and am now actively studying Japanese. Hopefully, one day soon, I can have a conversation with them in their language and learn even more about their culture!

This experience taught me so much about myself as well! I became more independent, more responsible for my belongings, and more attentive to every second of the schedule. In short, I was mindfully on my best behavior 24/7 without being reminded. I became confident and loved speaking to new people I met during the journey and enjoying every activity with my companions. I’ve discovered that there’s so much more within me than I ever thought possible. I made new friends, too! We shared meals, helped each other out, and learned side-by-side all day! I'm grateful that such kind, fun friends entered my life because they made everything that much better! I appreciate culture so much more now, and I know what it means to be on time and to contribute to a more respectful environment. The reason Japan runs so smoothly is that everyone knows how to be a rule follower and a small cog in the larger machine for something more significant than themselves. I learned on my day in Hiroshima that people are strong despite such tragedy and that peace is a state of existence that can never be taken for granted.

If there's one lesson I've taken away from this journey, it's that the small things are everything. Thank you to those who helped and took care of me there: Chat Sensei and Yuki Sensei, with Ms. Madroño and Mrs. Esteves by our sides, ensured we went in the right direction at every turn. From the small things they taught us to the helpful tips they shared to make each experience better, their guidance and lessons showed me that kindness, patience, teamwork, and hard work can help overcome any challenge. I also realized how much my parents' love and encouragement have shaped me. Without their support, I wouldn’t have had the chance to experience something this life-changing. And most of all, I've learned to trust in God's protection and guidance. He guided us from place to place and kept us all safe throughout our journey, for which I'll always be grateful.