Welcome to my blog!

Hello All! Welcome to my blog. My name is Ashia and I will be studying abroad for one year at the University of Tsukuba in Tsukuba, Japan. I am very VERY excited to spend a year in the country of my dreams and can't wait to share my experiences.

I decided to create this blog for several reasons:

1. After spending many hours surfing the web for information on past student's experiences in the University of Tsukuba (or Japan itself for that matter), I realized that the pickings are very slim. I am the kind of person who wants all the specific details when I do something whether that be a school assignment or travel - I am the definition of an information sponge. Going to Japan for a year is a huge undertaking and I need to know everything there is to know about making this big transition. So, with next to nothing available on the internet I decided to create my own little website of important, interesting or just plain fun info and tips as I go. Hopefully any students planning to study abroad at the University of Tsukuba/Japan in the future will find this blog very helpful and informative.
2. There is positively no information available for African American Women going to Japan!!!  TRUST ME, I looked!  As a African American women, I know that my experience in Japan will be quite unique from anyone else.  I am going to a entirely new country where the people, food, clothes, and just overall lifestyle is, for me, a complete 180. What will I do if I can't find my size in clothes (I'm assuming being 5 ft 8 won't help me much)? What about my favorite food (Stuffed crust pizza and Rocky road ice cream...Enjoying my youthful metabolism while it lasts)? How the heck will I keep my hair looking somewhat cute in rain and humidity??? SERIOUSLY WHAT ABOUT MY HAIR?!

>>By the time I am on a flight back home I shall compile a list of African American friendly salons and underground railroad-like locations for us ladies :) That's a pinky promise y'all.<<

3. I have been waiting a very long time to make my dream of going to Japan come true and I want to remember everything. I want to remember every sight, sound, person and feeling that I experience while I am abroad so that when I come back home, I will be able to experience those moments over again. 

In just 2 days I will be leaving for the adventure of my lifetime. I can't wait to share my experiences.

じゃまた :)

Ashia A.