I left the US at 17 to finish high school in rural Japan. The bold decision helped me build my dream life in Tokyo years later.

Thu, 02/15/2024 - 09:15

cherry blossom trees blooming in front of a school building in rural japan — I moved to Japan for my senior year of high school.
KenSoftTH/Shutterstock

I grew up in Oregon, but I moved to rural Japan to finish high school when I was 17.
Unlike my experience in the US, school commutes were longer and clubs were an even bigger deal.
My unique high-school opportunity helped me pursue a life in Tokyo as an adult.

In 2015, at 17 years old, I made the brash and brave decision to leave my life behind in Oregon and move to Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, for my senior year of high school.