I’ll be studying abroad for college in Shibuya City, Japan starting in January of 2025! I’m super excited but I’m also nervous about the possibility of not fitting in and hating it on campus. My college major is anthropology, or the study of human cultures, so I’m actually losing my mind just thinking about all the festivals, shrines, and the entire shabang. What I’m really afraid of is not being able to make friends to experience all of this with. I’m a 5’8 (173cm) woman, so pretty tall for my gender. I’ve thought that maybe my height might make me seem intimidating to other girls. Does anyone have any advice? Maybe how they were able to assimilate into Japanese society? Any unspoken rules that they wish they’d known going in?
I have already done the not-so talked about things like buying my pants, skirts, and shoes in advance (the sizing would be awkward on my long legs and big feet) and secured an apartment (complete with tatami mats, WOOOOW!!!)
I want to know if I should pick out a japanese name or use my english name (I ended up getting flamed about this one a little. My name is Lorrelai so I assumed it to be too hard/confusing to pronounce, also at my old highschool a lot of exchange students had American names, didn’t know if it was the other way around. But I was advised to just use ロラ. So I’m all good on that)
, also if it’s socially acceptable to introduce yourself to neighbors with a gift for everyone (like my American family does when moving to a new place) is it weird or a kind gesture?
by handsome-skeetward