Internship in Japan, Blog 3: Learning Through Experience in Tokyo

Through this internship, I've gained much more than just work-related skills. Living and working in Japan has taught me patience, respect, and the importance of teamwork - values that are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. As my internship in Japan is coming to an end, I've been reflecting on the past few weeks and everything I've experienced - both professionally and personally. This time has shown me what it means to work in a different culture, adapt to new environments, and grow as a person. Living and working abroad has made me more independent, open-minded, and confident. Most of all, I've realized how much you can grow when you step out of your comfort zone.

After spending these months in Japan, I also wanted to experience as much as possible outside of work. I've tried to see and do everything I could, saying yes to every new opportunity that came my way. One of the most memorable moments was seeing Mount Fuji in person - something I had only seen before as a computer wallpaper. I also had the chance to watch a real sumo match, which was an unforgettable and uniquely Japanese experience. During my free time, I explored beautiful temples and visited the Spider Lily Festival, which was absolutely stunning. I've tasted all kinds of local foods and tried my best to learn how to eat with chopsticks - still not perfect, but improving! And of course, Halloween in Shibuya was absolutely next level. The costumes, the atmosphere, the energy was everything.

I've also picked up a few Japanese words and phrases that I use almost daily at work. For example, "omataseshimashita" means "thank you for waiting," and "irasshaimase" is the cheerful "welcome!" you hear everywhere when you enter a store or restaurant. But today I learned about a completely different kind of word - one that apparently fits every situation: "yabai". I was told that you can say "yabai," for example, when something is really good, when it's bad, when you're surprised, or even when you're confused. Basically, it works for everything. I asked my coworker how people can possibly know what it means each time, and they just laughed and said, "You have to look at the situation and the person's reaction". So I guess "yabai" is one of those magical words you can only truly understand once you've lived in Japan for a while. 

At first, I missed Finnish food - rye bread, salmon soup, just simple home-cooked meals. But as time has gone by, I've started to enjoy the food here a lot. Now I can't imagine a day without rice or a comforting bowl of udon noodles. I've grown to like this place so much that I could easily stay longer. Time has gone by incredibly fast.

Of course, it will be nice to see my family again, but life here feels so modern, organized, and comfortable that part of me doesn't want to leave just yet. Still, my internship is coming to an end, and it's time to head home to Finland - with a suitcase full of memories and a mind full of experiences. Japan will definitely stay close to my heart, and who knows, maybe I'll come back one day.