Falling in Love with Japan

Susan Hepburn traveled to Japan for a year-long student exchange at Kansai Gaidai University in the third year of her program. The East Asian Studies major was captivated by the people, food, culture, traditions and customs.

"After having been in Japan for about a month, I had already found out that I love this country," says Hepburn. "Although there is a language barrier that can be hard to work through, the people in this country are so nice. If I was given the chance to come back to Japan I would take it in an instant, so dear to me is this country, my second home."

Hepburn became interested in the East as a child, finding its culture mysterious and captivating. When she came to university, studying East Asian history and the Japanese Language were a natural fit for her.

"With the goal of doing a minor in Japanese, I thought it would be appropriate to go to Japan and immerse myself in the language and the culture," says Hepburn. "I also felt that it was fitting for me to go somewhere in East Asia since my major field of study is East Asian Studies. Most of all, I think I wanted to find out what had been drawing people to Japan for so many years. Ever since Japan was first opened to the West, foreigners have been flocking there seeking something they couldn't find at home. Sometimes I'm asked if I like Japan more than Canada and after reflection, I'd answer that I love Canada but would be happy to live in Japan for longer."