A Home Away from Home

I have always aspired to visit Japan and experience a country famed for its high-tech cities and state of the art transportation. Being provided with the opportunity to participate in the Kakehashi Project made these dreams a reality, where in February 2017, I, alongside five University of Toronto Scarborough students, embarked on a ten-day trip to Japan.

During our visit in Tokyo, some memorable experiences include visiting significant places such as the Meiji Shrine and Edo-Tokyo Museum which have served as important moments in providing insight and improving my understanding of the history behind Japan’s rich culture and heritage.

We also travelled north to Kamaishi using the Japanese bullet train (known as the Shinkansen), where during our stay we learned about the events following the 2011 disaster and how the city came together in creating a stronger sense of community and cooperation. During our visit, we also attended an overnight homestay which was a remarkable experience offering a chance to learn about Japanese people’s way of life.

Moreover, we visited the University of Tokyo, attending different guest lectures and collaborating with Japanese students in different workshop activities. We learned about the history of Tokyo and how the city developed over time, including a walking tour which further illustrated the changing scape the of different local neighbourhoods.

After our return home, a few weeks later we welcomed the Japanese students in Canada during their time participating in the project. We took part in meetings and group activities at the University of Toronto, providing insight towards Canadian cities in addition to holding a tour of downtown Toronto. The project made way for lifelong friendships and has further inspired me to visit Japan again in the near future.

Participating in the Kakehashi Project has been an experience of a lifetime, leaving me with memories which I will forever cherish. Thank you to everyone who provided me with the opportunity to participate in this trip, including Professor Sorensen from the University of Toronto, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

#japan #urbanplanning #cultureexchange