Fish, Friends, and Formulas: Life as an Indian Scholar in Japan

"Don't Wait for Opportunities. Create Them": How Japan Redefined My Education and Life

- Trishit Banerjee

"Don't wait for opportunities to come. Create them." This philosophy resonated deeply with my journey, as the transition was both thrilling and challenging. Japan was the first country I had ever traveled to outside India. It was stepping into a whole new world. My parents accompanied me at the initial stage, and the process of settling down went smoothly because we settled up my hostel and many other logistics. Culturally, Japan felt both familiar and different—the shared emphasis on family, respect, and traditions resonated deeply. However, adapting to practices like Onsen culture or the linguistic nuances required patience and openness. Over time, I embraced these differences, which helped me find my way into Japanese society.