Take a piece back

 


Leaving Japan, there was a lot I have learned from the culture. But my biggest takeaway is that the people are the nicest, most thoughtful people in the world. They are the only people as a whole that I have met who think about the other person without even batting an eye. They make room for your car to get in rather than get upset that you might "cut" them. They buy gifts because they think about you as much as they can! They care about your thoughts, your feelings. It is an ability to make you feel human, to show you that you matter and it is the best part of Japan, in my opinion.

If I had to take anything back from Japan and apply it to America. That would be what I would want to change. I want people to care more about others than themselves. I want them to THINK about another person half as much as they think about what they want, what they need, what they think. I think the only way to change that in America is to start when they are young. To teach students, kids, what it is like to care about someone else. In Japan, starting in 1st grade they learn morality and ethics classes. Starting in first grade! Think about that. If 6 year olds can learn these lessons for 12 years, think what that would show! They would be willing to listen to others, to care about others, to care about more than themselves.

I think for America to get better. THIS is what it needs. Not just reading and writing and math. THIS. Being worldly, being caring, and knowing what it is to give your all for the people around you.

Japan, may no longer be my home, and it may not be the first time I ever cared about someone else. But, it showed me that it IS possible for not just one or two people but for a whole community to feel that way. To BELIEVE that someone else out there is worth just as much, if not more than me.