Unpacking Japan: Welcome The World

Some kids dream of being professional athletes, the prime minister, famous actors, or even the CEO of a company, but for me, my vision hasn't always been so clear. I've gone through my fair share of dreams and aspirations and yet never found one that fit me just right. I think that's how they work. Life isn't a big jigsaw puzzle; it's a children's stacking game. You can mix and match the pieces, build high or wide, make things to last forever or things whose purpose is to fall. Trust me; you're going to have a lot of falling towers, but that doesn't mean you can't start over. You can always build the next tower, fortress, temple, anything you can imagine.

Going on an exchange is my tower right now. I'm starting slow, building from the bottom up and making sure I've got something steady to go off from here on out. Hopefully, by the end of it I'll have a tower taller than me, and with it an idea of who I want to be. Japan will be new, but then again everything is new until you've done it before. So here's my advice: get out there, build your towers tall and don't worry about them falling, you'll still have the building blocks when everything is over and a better idea of how to create the next one.

But I'm getting distracted. If this is your first time reading one of my posts, and I assume it is since this is the first edition of the series, then you're going to be confused. Don't worry, I'll explain. My name is Rhys; currently, I'm a student at Victoria school of the Arts (What a mouthful that is, let's call it Vic). Just last fall I entered into a program called the Rotary Youth Exchange, a cultural exchange funded and run by the Rotary Club. During my exchange I live with up to four host families for eleven months, I attend school, visit cultural and historical sites, and build a lasting relationship with the people I meet while there. It's an unbelievable opportunity. I find myself grateful for every morning. Don't get me wrong it's hard work, but if you're willing to put in the time, then I recommend it highly.

This August I will board a flight headed for Japan, a trip which will take between thirteen and seventeen hours, meet a family that will become similar to a second family, and begin my life as a Canadian exchange student. Maybe that's a bit lax, my life as a Canadian exchange student started the day I witnessed the presentation on the Rotorary Youth Exchange program nearly two years ago. If none of you have met Sera Jorgensen, an absolute sweetheart and a former member of the RYE program, then you're missing out. Sera went to Argentina (Ahh sunshine!) and lived her life to the fullest. The second she began to share her story; I knew that this was an experience I was willing to fight for the chance to have.

And here I am, after tears and trials, various interviews and late night cram sessions, I'm preparing to leave behind the person I am to become someone so much more knowledgeable and fulfilled.

Life is like a giant game of Jenga, people take turns taking things out from below you and piling them on top, but in the end, I have to say; I love Jenga.

Sayonara for now, -Rhys