Written by Ilana Goldman (William and Mary), Student Correspondent for CET Japan, Summer 2025
Studying abroad is disorienting no matter how prepared you think you are. Even if the culture shock, the rigorous workload, and the distance doesn’t get to you, the jet lag will absolutely try its best to. CET, however, provides excellent support and balance, anything from professional counseling to Kyoto field trips. Teachers are kind and want you to succeed, and the program director is excited to work with you to make your study abroad experience the best it can be. Filling in the gaps are those I believe to be the unsung heroes and backbone of the CET Japan experience, our OGU roommates.
I arrived in Japan unsure what my student housing would look like until I came upon its doorstep. I knew that I had one local Japanese roommate, but aside from her name—Ayane—I was otherwise completely clueless. Should I have tried to contact her beforehand? Would we get along? Could our language barrier be traversed with only two semesters of Japanese practice?
From Roommates to Lifelines
My fears and shoulda-coulda-wouldas were discarded as soon as we met. Communication with Ayane might’ve been difficult, but it was mutually supported, and more than anything, it was fun. Some of my fondest memories from CET were spent trying to converse with Ayane at our shared kitchen table, brows furrowed as we hopscotched our way through conversation and giggled at our misunderstandings.
Navigating Osaka
I lived only a short train ride away from classes, but the trek was still daunting in the beginning. Ayane graciously walked with me to school every morning, a venture which began as a necessity and quickly morphed into the best possible start to my day.
Beyond Osaka Gakuin, the OGU students also accompanied us on many of the CET events and excursions, from our initial exploration of Osaka to the big Mt. Koya day trip. In all cases, their presence was enthusiastic and welcoming, and Ayane was a wonderful familiar face to explore alongside.
Wait, Don’t Eat That
Prior to my arrival, one of my biggest worries about Japan was figuring out how to get by as someone with celiac. I had read in the orientation pamphlet that students with dietary restrictions may experience more isolation than others and thought, great, my gluten intolerance is going to make me a social pariah.
It certainly wasn’t easy, but Ayane coaxed it out of the realm of impossible. We often ate out together and she would confirm with the waitstaff that a dish didn’t contain wheat, allowing me to eat without reservation. She brought me to her favorite restaurants with gluten-friendly options, recommended convenience store snacks, and made sure that I always had options when eating out with a group. Thanks to Ayane, something that might have felt isolating became a shared adventure—one great meal at a time.
In the grand scheme of studying abroad, it’s easy to fixate on the challenges—the academic hurdles, the language barriers, the cultural adjustments. But what often gets overlooked are the quiet constants that carry you through; for me, that was Ayane. Her kindness, patience, and genuine joy made my time in Japan feel not just manageable, but meaningful.
I came to Osaka expecting to learn about Japan; I didn’t expect to feel so deeply welcomed by it. And for that, I have Ayane—and all the other incredible OGU roommates—to thank.