By: Matthew Hoogwoud, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, winner of the 2017 Stories from Abroad Scholarship.
“I’m terrified. I have never done something like this before!”
These were the thoughts that were rolling around in my mind during the twelve-hour flight to my exchange destination, Kyoto, Japan. It felt like the longest twelve hours that I have experienced in recent years as I sat nervously in my seat watching the on-screen map move incrementally towards Japan. I don’t even know how to cook properly, I thought.
But I also could not wait to land and see Japan. Once the plane landed and I passed customs, I was greeted by a smiling face and a sign with my name. At that moment, I knew that I was going to be all right.
. . .
Whe...
