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eleanor's study abroad diary

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🎑 entry no.9

the three week mark (?)

long time no see! it's been nearly three weeks of being in japan, so I'll quickly catch you up on my activities so far.

my first week was just baby steps, getting moved into the dorm and adjusting to a new environment. lots of going back and forth on the train from campus to Shinjuku. shopping for dorm essentials, meeting my dormmates, and more~

my second week was full of adventures... namely exploring the city, enjoying the nightlife, and even going on a weekend trip to osaka & kyoto!! i want to go back again when the weather is a bit less hot! eating lots of good food with my friends and also experiencing clubbing for the first time.

this third week was actually my first week of classes. it's nice to feel like a student again (especially since it's my last year of undergrad) !!! class structure is so different at ICU compared to my home uni :0 but ICU is also an anomaly among japanese unis..

overall a 11/10 experience so far ♪(*^^)o∀*∀o(^^*)♪ i learn smth new every day and i'm looking forward to making more good memories during my short time here :,)

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osaka aquarium kaiyukan 🐋

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kyoto *ੈ𑁍༘⋆

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🌳 entry no.8

move-in day

i've officially moved into my dorm!! although it's still really humid in Japan rn, i loveeeee how much greenery there is on campus :) my dorm is also so spacious!!

i was really anxious at first bc i was self conscious about how i can't speak much Japanese... but i think it might be better to just own it and continue trying my best 😭

my view ( •͈૦•͈ )

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today's eats :P

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campus :))

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it's the morning of my move-in day :,) I'M SUDDENLY SO NERVOUS WJDJSNDNJS

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🎧 entry no.7

12,000 steps in tokyo (๑ᵕ⌓ᵕ̤)

first full day! today i shopped in shinjuku, harajuku, and shibuya :) i def want to spend more time in harajuku and explore with friends bc there are so many cool vintage shops i couldn't check out today!!

i should be studying more japanese... i've just been getting by with すみません and ありがとうございます </3 actually so embarrassing and humbling

sooo tired though :,) but at least i move into my dorm tomorrow!! ⏳ 1 day until my program starts! ᕦ(˘ω˘)ᕤ

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coffee lounge lemon; shinjuku

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🐳 entry no.6

touchdown in tokyooo

i got ~4 hours of sleep before my flight to make myself tired but ended up only sleeping for 1 hour while on the plane,, i was too busy bingeing the in-flight movies :p (dunkirk and shrek 2 were my favs)

but we made it !!! after 11 hrs in the air and 3 hrs on the left side of the road (bc we drove to our accommodation instead of taking transit...) we r here !!!

honestly rly tired and ready to Knock Out.. it's 10pm in japan and i think i am winning against jet lag :] but i was unprepared for the real battle: Humidity .

⏳ 2 days until my program starts! ᕦ(˘ω˘)ᕤ

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🧸 entry no.5

last night as a california girl </3

i just finished my attempt at minimalist packing and i do not like it one bit T_T i feel so underpacked!!! but i know i should only pack essentials to prepare for the future shopping hauls,,

i'm leaving for the airport in the morning!! it's an 11 hour flight straight to tokyo. wish me luck :D and goodnight 🌙

⏳ 3 days until my program starts! ᕦ(˘ω˘)ᕤ

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🎐 entry no.4

placement testing!

i took my language placement test yesterday! we just had to write an essay on a topic that was assigned based on what course level you wanted to take. i'm a beginner so the JLP 1 essay was just a short intro about yourself (u can submit a blank essay too but i tried my best!! mine was 50% japanese and 50% english 💀)

i cannot dawdle at home any longer omg. im getting so bored waiting for my departure. i even considered doing SAT questions as a form of mental stimulation 😭😭😭 SOS PLS

⏳ 7 days until my program starts! ᕦ(˘ω˘)ᕤ

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my favorite band :-)

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🧚‍♀️ entry no.3

one more week until my flight to japan!! one of my best friends left for korea today to start her study abroad semester there 😵 i can't believe i'm leaving next...

my language placement test is also in a few days. i'll definitely be placed in the beginner level, but i'm still going to study 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ my last session with my language buddy is also coming up this week 🥹 the countdown seriously starts now!!!

⏳ 10 days until my program starts! ᕦ(˘ω˘)ᕤ

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🍰 entry no.2

i realized that, although i fly out to tokyo at the end of this month, i am very unprepared for my departure...

my to-do list for the next few weeks:

complete my study abroad modules

print backup documents

make a packing list omg!!!

make a to-buy list (gifts and must-haves)

plan my classes

and much more that has slipped my mind

so exciting but at the same time i don't know what's going on or what to expect :')

⏳ 18 days until my program starts! ᕦ(˘ω˘)ᕤ

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home 4 the summer (๑❛ᴗ❛๑)