1. What one thing surprised you most while on this trip?

The thing that surprised me the most during the socio-cultural exchange program to Japan is the
discipline of the citizens. It can be seen the moment you step out of the plane when passengers,
especially the Japanese nationals, calmly exit the plane in an orderly fashion. Based on my travel in the
Philippines, passengers are usually in a rush to exit the plane and many times there are people who
unbuckle their seatbelts and stand to open the overhead compartment even before the captain has
allowed it. I also noticed that despite the busy train station terminals, they are very aware of their
surroundings and are still careful and polite to the people around them.

2. What was the best part of this trip your personal high point?

As a transportation engineering student, I find that the best part of this trip is navigating the city by train.
It is definitely a challenge to get around since not all locals are fluent in English but mobile applications
made it easier for us by giving us the line exchanges we need to make in order to reach the destination.
Despite the rush hour, their transportation network is able to handle the demand. The 10 days allowed
us to have the full experience of being a commuter in Tokyo. It is my hope that one day this kind of
transportation will be made available to the residents in our country as well.

3. What were some of the major challenges you faced as a participant?

A major challenge I faced is the language barrier, although most of our host companies and universities
were able to communicate with us easily, it was the simple actions like making a purchase from the
convenience store or asking for directions that were quite difficult. Again, we relied on mobile
applications such as English-Japanese translators to get us through the trip. Some items in the grocery
only came with Japanese words on the packaging so it was quite a guessing game before meals.
Restaurants such as Ichiran and Mastsuya have machines in English that take orders thereby saving us on
several occasions.

4. What did you learn about yourself while on this field trip?

I learned that being independent in Japan is completely different from what I know of being independent
in the Philippines. Despite the ease in the systematic city of Tokyo, one must absorb their culture. There
are many things you can get away with in Manila but cannot do so here, it is a must to understand their
way of life and pick up a thing or two.

5. When you returned home, what were you glad to leave behind? What was most difficult to leave
behind?

On the last day, I was happy to leave behind a friendship that will hopefully stand the distance and time
apart. I hope that the contact through social media will suffice until they come to the Philippines or I get
the chance to visit Japan again. As soon as we landed in the Philippines, I was just relieved to be back in
a familiar environment. Prior to the exchange program, my thesis mates and I were in Thailand for a
conference so there was much to miss from home.

6. What was the most significant thing you personally experienced?

The most striking experience I had was at the Port and Airport Research Institute (PARI) where they
showed us the work they have done in order to protect their infrastructures especially since their
country is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. We were first brought to an outdoor tank where they had
concrete samples being submerged and studied for over two decades. They had other fascinating
equipment such as a tsunami simulator and the worlds biggest submerged shake table. Each lecturer
carefully explained their equipment and the processes they took to make them work as well as what
they do with the output they receive.

7. What has been your most frustrating experience or situation since arriving home? How are you
dealing with and/or adjusting to life since your return?

It would have to be missing the company of my friends whom I have bonded tightly with over the 10
days. Day in and day out would be spent with them and being by myself back here has been a little sad. I
still communicate with the constantly through text and social media so it has not been all too bad.

8. What did God show you on this mission trip that you do not want to forget?

I would definitely not forget the chance to be with esteemed professors and professionals who were so
kind to bring us around their company or campus. I do not think I could get that experience anywhere
else but through this program. I could visit Japan again for a vacation with my family but it will be
nothing like what I shared with my batch mates. It was a rare opportunity and I am glad I got to be a part
of it.

9. How has your world-view been affected by this short-term trip experience?

I believe that I have become more open minded because of this trip. I see my life in a different light
because I am able to put myself in the shoes of the Japanese people and see the world through their
eyes. The values they uphold and believe in are forever embedded into my heart. Though I have been to
several other countries, there is nothing like what I found in Japan.

10. How do you plan to incorporate what you have learned on this trip to your daily life?

I hope that I will be able to continue the kindness they have shown me and pay it forward. The discipline
that was instilled to me there should be the same here even though those around me will not do the
same. I have to be the example because not everyone is fortunate enough to see it for themselves in
Japan.

11. What do you want to change/do differently as a result of being on this field trip? Do you have an
action plan to implement this change? Please share your ideas.

What I would like to change is the addition of more specialization related tours, I hope that the following
batches with transportation engineering students like me would get to learn more about their rail system
and get a look behind the scenes of the engineers that run Tokyo. The same goes for others with
different specializations that they will be able to find companies and universities that are closer to their
field.

12. A special lesson I learned on this trip and would like to share with others is:

Take every opportunity to travel, put the fear and uncertainty aside so that you get to live the fullest life
by experiencing all the best that the world has to offer. There is so much more to see outside your
comfort zone, going beyond what is safe could be rewarding to say the least. This college career is not
just about what you know but also who you know and where you have been. Lessons are learned
outside the four walls of the classroom too and we must be brave enough to go after them. The stories I
have made with my friends and professors will be shared time and time again.