At 18, I moved to Japan alone, without any knowledge of the language but became deeply familiar with both the challenges and culture. By navigating new cultures, I discovered aspects of myself previously unknown: strengths I hadn’t even realized, biases I had not acknowledged, and dreams I never dared to pursue.
Facing obstacles can leave you emotionally shaken, struggling with feelings of failing and rejection. In Asia, cultural expectations and a high-pressure work environment offered little room for vulnerability.
“True strength involves understanding and overcoming one’s vulnerabilities.”
Cambridge University has been a journey of becoming emotionally resilient. Discovering my resilience in the heart of challenge has been a revelation. Here, I’ve learned to confront and manage my emotions effectively, preventing them from derailing my objectives.
Before coming to Cambridge University I had not sufficiently prepared myself emotionally to undergo the process of studying abroad once again. In the UK, the directness of communication and the need to assert one’s opinion clashed with the Japanese emphases on harmony that subtlety I had internalized.
“Cambridge: A journey of self-discovery.”
This environment has given me a reason to wake up every single day. Each step on this path has revealed not just unknown strengths and biases within myself but also challenged my very definition of the meaning of life.
Meeting a friend who studies immunology and is researching innovative ways to prevent cancer has expanded my understanding of what academic and professional success could look like. This encounter has not only ignited a deeper questioning of my life’s purpose but also gave me the courage to think of what I want in life.
“Studying abroad is an invitation to open our minds.”
It is a reminder that the paths we choose are enriched not just by the goals we set but by the unexpected lessons and encounters along the way, urging us all to consider how far beyond our horizons we might reach if only we dare to explore.
