A Reflection: Myself In This World

So, today we said goodbye to our host families. Going into this experience, I didn’t think I would get so attached. The family was open throughout the whole experience. I feel thankful more than anything. At the start of our class, I was told I must push myself to absorb and sit still in the moment.

Waving Farewell

We all danced and performed from LMU, doing a Soul Train--shout out to Anna (we were going too crazy on them)!

There is no right or wrong way of connecting with one another. The purpose of our trip was to build and strengthen ties in Japan, and to also create conncetions that will last as long as possible. At the end, when our host families were giving speeches, our entire group was told that we could come back and stay at their house any time. That moment was realer than any presentation or certificate given during the program, knowing that we were welcomed back into their home as family. It's something that I will always cherish and come back to.

Then we went to Mirai Ships Inc. It was cool, but I was never interested in ships or fishing. What stood out to me was the resilience and selflessness of the five major shipbuilding companies; it showed me the importance of coming together to rebuild and restructure. When all the other shipping companies were destroyed, they opened up jobs and other opportunities for people to stay employed. That is whart leadership and collaboration is: seeing the bigger picture rather than just looking at the situation through an individual lens. I reflected on how removing myself is essential for the group's success, my past leadership roles, and my mistakes.

Later, we met with Women's Eye CEO and founder Megumi-san. She told us the story of Tamiko Abe and about the discrimination she went through while owning her fishing business. In the story, the biggest takeaway was a quote from her,“if you don’t give up, your wishes will come true.”

Women dispositionally are looked down at because of societal misogyny. As a man, it made me reevaluate my privilege, belief, and actions towards women. I was raised on the idea of equality, but like a wise person taught me, promises are empty words without actions. I learned from Megumi-san that understanding the discrimination is not the critical part, but amplifying and empowering them is.

Women's Eye CEO and founder Megumi-san

Leaving Miyagi makes me reflect on how much we neglect our rural communities. How many times do we travel and only stay in the urban areas? We chose to ignore their stories and we see tourism as what it can do for us. Looking back on the day, I realize it was one of reflection and learning. I am just one person on this trip, in cohort and world. I cannot do much alone, but great things happen with great people.

I came into this experience not only thinking about who I am in the world, but who is the world for me. I am just one person whose job is to absorb and listen to the world around me. I have been challenging myself to be still and let others shine.

That is why I am not asking or answering questions as the first person. I am sitting back and learning from the world around me. I am learning that to come together is about the ego death of the self. We exist in the world.

The world does not for us.

- Ethan Carter