My First Trip Overseas !

The Trip That Changed Everything

My first overseas trip was anything from ordinary. I was travelling to a remote part of Japan, to teach English! 

I was studying Education and still remember being selected for the University program. I was excited, nervous, and in absolute disbelief that I was actually traveling overseas for the first time in my life. We were to be teaching English in a remote primary school tucked deep in the mountains of Nagasaki, Japan.

My 3 weeks abroad were filled with moments that pushed me out of every comfort zone. From taking my first steps in a new country, to navigating a class knowing only a handful of Japanese words, and experiencing a culture so beautifully different from my own that I was forever changed.

This became so much more than just my first trip overseas. It became the experience that sparked everything that came after.

First Steps In A New Country 

Stepping into Nagasaki for the first time felt like stepping into another world. I was immediately blown away by the natural beauty surrounding me. It was nothing like I’d ever seen. The narrow, quiet streets and the backdrop of mountains blew me away.

While I was astounded at the beauty behind every turn, the cultural shock was real and and I had 2 major concerns.
1 - I was felt incredibly nervous about being unable to speak the language. 
2 - I genuinely thought I would starve.. I didn’t know how to use chopsticks properly and was worried my uncoordinated ass would struggle (don’t worry, I’m a pro now!), 

Despite the concerns, and the long stares from the friendly locals who looked all too surprised to see us, I felt incredibly safe. While we stuck out like a sore thumb, the locals were beyond welcoming and made us feel completely at home. 

Nagasaki was the quiet and captivating corner that made for my perfectly safe and welcoming introduction to travel. 

Teaching in Japan

Arriving at the Japanese school was an adventure in itself. 

An early morning scenic bus ride lead us through picturesque mountains, rice fields and some of the most remotely beautiful parts of Nagasaki. And in the middle of it all, sat a small primary school.

Upon arrival, we were flooded by news crews, and cameras were suddenly surrounding us. This tiny remote school had never before had visitors from Australia, and here were 30 of us lined up on their doorstep. It was apparently a very big deal that we were there, and we even caught ourselves on the news later that night! 

After an extremely warm welcome and ceremony, we met our class for the week. I was with a small group of grade 1s (6-7yr olds).  

The only problem was, I only spoke English.
And the students, only spoke Japanese. 

What We Taught the Students

Throughout the week we introduced new teaching techniques. We pushed aside the chairs and tables and sat on the floor together. We played games, learned songs and dances, completed arts and crafts activities, you name it! Our goal here was to show that incorporating fun and play into learning could be super beneficial for students.

One of my favourite activities was teaching an Australian animals unit. We learnt a song and dance, and we created animal masks, my group focusing on Echidnas. At end of the week we finally put together a whole performance with all the animals. Yes, it was as cute as it sounds!

What the Students Taught Us

What shocked me the most, was the students level of organisation, responsibility and respect. This was beyond anything I had experienced back in Australia. 

One of my favourite parts of the day was watching the students prepare their room for lunchtime. Each student had a role to play. Someone would wipe down the tables, another would set aside different meals from their canteen, another would set out cutlery, another would pour drinks. They worked as a team in perfect unison. 

Their Post lunch routine included clearing and cleaning the tables, washing their hands and the cutest part of all, brushing their teeth!

Just this simple small part of their day, made me reflect on how surprising, wholesome and uniquely different their school culture was to our own. 

Cultural Workshops & Activities

We were fortunate enough to be working alongside a sister University and were treated to a range of cultural classes. We had language lessons (much needed), and we learnt the art of Origami, Japans traditional paper folding technique.

We joined the primary school students in the Rice Fields for a day, planting new seeds for the next harvest. It was super fun getting our hards (and feet) dirty and learning how this process is done! It was very demanding work, but oh so rewarding knowing we were helping to feed to local community. 

And finally, we were able to experience dressing up in a traditional Japanese Kimono. This was an incredible experience as typically these outfits are saved for ceremonial events such as weddings and are worn as a sign of respect for Japanese tradition and cultural heritage.

Each of these experiences taught me more about Japanese traditions, and as I immersed myself in the culture, soaking up every opportunity to learn more, i developed a new found appreciation for this beautiful country. 

The Random & Unexpected Moments

With free time on the weekends, we were spoilt to a few days trips around Nagasaki. And I guarantee they’re not what you’d expect! 

The Beach:
When you think of Japan you typically don’t jump to ‘beaches!’. So of course, that’s where we went! 
We enjoyed a day down by the coast, and wow, from the small coastline I saw, I was blown away! The water was strikingly blue, yet clear. It was beautiful.

The Theme Park:
Now here’s where things get a tad weird.
We visited Huis Ten Bosch, a Dutch-themed theme park, smack bang in the middle of Japan. Why is it there? I haven’t the slightest clue, but it was pretty damn cool!

Stepping through the gates felt like being transported directly to Europe. From the architecture to the gardens and the canals, it was absolutely stunning. I guarantee it had everyone questioning which county they were currently visiting at least once!

Being here felt like a holiday from our holiday. We had a blast, enjoying the ferris wheel, an adult play area, and many interactive horror games, including one which we were put into stray jackets.. Yeap, this theme park kinda had it all.

While definitely one of the more unusual places I’ve been to, it was definitely one of the best days we had together! 

A Hidden Treasure 

One thing I appreciated more than anything, was the love, kindness and care we received from every single local we met. Despite the language barrier, we were always made to feel extremely welcome. This was true for everyone we met, but in particular one lovely woman we met near the beginning of our trip.

Down a small cobblestone alleyway sat a small restaurant, with enough room to fit a handful of people at a time. And running the whole show? One elderly woman, who we nicknamed ‘Grandma’. We were treated to single handily, the best Udon noodle soups I have ever had. She was the hidden local gem we discovered and continued to visit over the course of our stay.

She made the noodles from scratch, all home-made. She poured her love into her food, and we shared our love back. Supporting local businesses while travelling is something I always find joy in, and looking back, I see that this is the place it all began.

We ate here multiple times, and communicated through our shared love of food. This experience taught me that being unable to speak the language did not stop us  from forming a beautiful connection.

Final Thoughts: Gratitude for the Experience

Looking back, I can’t believe the same girl that couldn’t even use a pair of chopsticks, is the same girl who has now travelled Australia solo in her very own camper-van! 

I’m still blown away by how much those three weeks in Nagasaki changed me. I arrived in Japan nervous and naive, and left with a broadened perspective, and a deep love for travel. I will forever be grateful for the experienced that started it all. 

So let this be your sign, your inspiration.

Whatever it is in life that gives you that spark,  your dreams, your desires, the thing that makes you feel most alive, chase it with everything you’ve got.

I did, and look at where it’s lead me :)