What did I learn from Japan?

It was back two years ago when I started to apply for KL-YES program i.e Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study, which offered a scholarship to spend a year in the United States. It was mainly targeted to inter-cultural learning and exchanging one’s ideas and views with fellow exchange students arriving from Pakistan, Germany, Japan, Istanbul, England, Russia ; so far and so not.

I had made up my mind, filled the application form ‘neat and clean’ and in great handwriting, which is by the way against my habit. However, one thing was missing in it. It was my parents’ signature resembling their willingness and approval. I was waiting for them to have the best possible mood and then I would approach them, explain, and get a big YES! Nevertheless, that didn’t happen.                                                                           

My mother’s over protective nature had my form torn up into pieces; hundreds of pieces.
Dream shattered. Dramatic, isn’t it? Well that’s how I felt like when I saw my form in that condition.
But nothing to complain about do I have. Because I had Japan waiting for me.  Waiting to amaze me; with a basket of love, tenderness and incredulity.

In December 2012, I had set-off fly to a new country. To wreck my complexes, come out of my security circle and breathe in air of confidence, faith and self-esteem.

Many times, have I been asked, what did you learn from Japan?
Well, the best possible answer I can give to this question is that I learned myself.
Japan has taught me to love, to appreciate, and certainly to smile. Those days on the exchange were probably the best days of my life. It was something, which, I can never explain it to someone in words. Perhaps English language itself does not have enough words to elucidate that feeling. 

There I was, walking on a land, I barely knew anything about. All I had there was ‘me’. Not my parents, nor any elder who’d tell me what’s wrong and what’s right. It was then that I stated learning. To learn whatever I can, from whatever source it is; was my aim.
I lived those days, in actual. Not thinking about India, not at all about my past, my complexes or my future. I was living ‘the day’.

I discovered a life, out of the books, which was devoid of any stereotypes and prejudices. I had encountered a life that was magnificent in its true meaning. Its grandeur had me pay a visit in my own soul and explore endless potential it had to offer. It has made me have faith in life and realize its value.

Now, I trust myself with my life. I know how I want to live it. Definitely I don’t want to be a slave of work. I certainly do not want my boss or someone else someday deciding if I should spend the day with my family or I shall work throughout the festivals.

I want to smile, I want to enjoy and I want to cherish my life the way it comes and explore the endless adventures it has to offer.

That’s all, I learnt from Japan.

Arigatougozaaimaas!