Josh Fernandes – Tokyo International University
Major: Cinema & Media Studies
Email: jefernan@usc.edu
Talk to me about: The best arcades and card shops in Tokyo! Video games and trading card games were my favorite ways to unwind after school in Japan, and arcades/card stores are great places to hang out with friends and meet strangers. Many games are in English, easy to pick up and understand, and are enjoyed by all ages. The universal language of games makes it easy to connect with anyone.
Advice: Try to immerse yourself as much as possible in cultural tradition. As a foreigner, you’ll often have the opportunity to forgo cultural norms simply because others don’t expect it from you. Your host family will be especially accommodating in forgiving inevitable social faux pas. However, using these moments as learning opportunities will show your respect for the culture and broaden your worldview.