Japan: Isha Touray
Program: UW Food Systems and the Environment in Northern Japan, Summer
Major: Personal Finance
What is your most memorable experience from your program?
My biggest highlight of this program was the Lake Akan overnight trip with the Japanese students! The simple act of having dinner together really brought us together. We engage in laughter, exchange cultural experiences, deepen our understanding of one another, and learn to appreciate the beauty of diverse cultures. We also got to see the beautiful Lake Akan, Mount Meakan and the surroundings, a memory that I will always cherish.
What is your advice for someone considering your program?
The food system is more than production and consumption. It’s a network and culture of people working together. Through listening and interacting with producers, I get to realize how every stage and decision shapes sustainability and the ability to be self-sufficient. Here in Japan, I have noticed how much detail and effort go into farming. I have also noticed that food is just not a need but something that is also rooted in their culture and shared value, as we have learned with beans, which, especially for celebrations, symbolize good health and unity.
I’m really proud of the final presentation I gave at the end of the program. I had the opportunity to reflect on my experiences, what I have learned, the highlights of the program, and the lessons that it has taught me.
What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?
During this program, I’ve shown leadership skills and put myself in the forefront many times, which is something I don’t normally do outside of my comfort zone. I have learned to form bonds with people of different backgrounds, share experiences, and get to know one another. I had experiences and heard from another perspective, and tried to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.