Reflections on the Course:
This course has been a truly life-changing experience for so many of us. It has been filled with incredible moments, valuable lessons, and some significant challenges that have made the journey all the more meaningful.

Challenges We Faced:

Emotional Impact: Visiting schools like Okawa Elementary School and hearing Mio’s stories of Otsuchi were deeply moving and difficult to process.
Physical Strain: Hiking Mt. Fuji was an enormous challenge, especially for CJ with their injured knee.
Weather: The heat and humidity in September were relentless—why is it so hot and humid this time of year?
Late Nights: Staying up late to finish group diaries and social media posts tested our endurance.
Food Restrictions: Finding vegetarian and gluten-free food options for CJ was a constant challenge, but thanks to “Operation: Get CJ Food,” we managed!
Disappointments: Not being able to go swimming was a bit of a letdown.
Highlights of the Trip:

Hiking Mt. Fuji: The ultimate highlight! (So good, it deserves multiple mentions.)
New Friendships: Meeting so many amazing people and making lifelong connections.
Exploring Japan: From seeing breathtaking landscapes to immersing ourselves in Japanese culture.
Food Adventures: Though not everyone could fully enjoy them, the variety and quality of Japanese cuisine were memorable.
Unique Experiences: Sleeping in traditional beds, receiving bear bells (a novelty for the Aussies), and experiencing Japanese drinking culture (shoutout to the Shoey moment).
Exploring Tokyo: Our day off in Tokyo was a thrilling chance to experience the city.
Transportation: Navigating Japan’s trains was a fascinating and fun experience.
Fujisan: Standing in the presence of Mount Fuji will forever be etched in our memories.
Acknowledgments:
We are incredibly grateful to all the teaching staff who made this trip possible. In particular, we want to thank Yusuke Yokoyama, Dave, Sima, Kai, and Miya for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the course.

To our ANU students, a special thanks to Shun for sharing so much about Japan with us and embracing our Aussie culture (and shenanigans).