Today has finally come. The day of leaving Lima for Mancora.
Four months passed way quicker than I was expecting. I still remember my first
day. I was very nervous because I didn’t really know anyone of my group, and I
was worried if I can make friends. Also, William, my host brother had to
translate everything my host parents said. In my first week, I had a mysterious
depression. I wanted to run away from everything. My stomach hurt all the time.
But today, after 4 months, I am leaving for Mancora and Ecuador for another
adventure. I have no plan for this trip. What I know so far is just I am
carrying one suitcase and need to survive somewhere in Mancora or Ecuador for 3
months with it. This will be the craziest thing I have ever done in my life. To
be honest, I’m scared. I’m scared if I can make friends and if I can really
survive. I know a few people in Mancora but I don’t even know if they remember
me. Also, I’m scared of the earthquake that might happen in Ecuador. I just
need to go with the flow. My goal of this adventure is to meet a lot of people
from all over the world and hear their stories, get inspired, and find what I
want to do in my future. I’ll do it! I’ll have awesome experience! I’ll take
all the chances I can get.
So I learned many things in Peru, and it was not only about
Spanish but also about a life. One thing that I learned here and changed my
life was how to become happy. I’m very glad I could come to Peru because I wouldn’t
be able to learn this in the classroom at UNK. So I’ll make a list of what I
learned and how to become happy.
1.
Wake up early
My host family wakes up at 5:30
every morning so I could naturally wake up by 6:00 am. I had enough time to enjoy
my hobby in the morning before the class or prepare for the class. Having
enough time makes you relax and enjoy the peaceful morning.
2.
Eat well, especially breakfast and lunch
When I was in Nebraska, I didn’t
eat well. I ate cookies or ramen for lunch. I sometimes skipped breakfast.
However, my host family cares a lot about what they eat. They drink fresh juice
or milk with grain every morning and eat a lot of food for lunch. At first, it
was hard to get used to this because dinner is the biggest meal both in Japan
and the United States, but here lunch is the biggest meal. I like this way
better because I can charge energy and stay active during the day and my
stomach can rest at night. Also, now I can’t live without fresh juice in the
morning. Eating healthy food is very important to make you feel happy.
3.
Sports
In Nebraska, I never played sports
because I didn’t have time for it. Also, I am so bad at any kind of sports so I
didn’t want to do. But after starting practicing surfing, I feel a lot better
than before. When I can practice surfing, I get super happy. Also, now I work
out by myself to gain muscle for surfing. Playing sports makes a good circle.
All of my host family members plays sports every day and it maintain them
healthy and happy. Sports is essential to be happy. Even if you think you are
not good at sports, you will find something you like can can be passionate
about it so just try every sports until you find one!
4.
Go out
My host mother goes out very often,
even during the week after the work. She is always active and enjoy meeting her
family. Don’t get tired! Don’t be lazy! Go out and meet people. This is what I
learned from my mom and made me happy while staying in Peru.
5.
Enjoy art
Before coming to Peru, I didn’t
know how much I like taking pictures. I’m not an experienced photographer but I
enjoy taking pictures. Any kind of art, drawing, painting, and sewing makes you
feel peaceful because you can escape from the reality for a while! Also, you
can brush up your sense of beauty. After I started taking pictures as a hobby,
I realized how beautiful the world is. Plants, flowers, the sky, people,
animals, furniture, and everything looks beautiful and makes me want to capture
it in my camera. Now I know the world is beautiful, I feel happier. Also, art
brings people together. For example, I have a friend who likes photography. We
spent time together walking around and taking pictures. We both definitely had
a good time. Art can be one of the social activities, which makes you feel
happy.
6.
Don’t be afraid and start what you have always
been wanted to do
This was a dance class and surfing
for me. I have always been wanted to try them. Especially about the dance
class, I could have started any time but I was scared to do so. What if I was
bad at it? But I told my host mom that I want to learn dancing and she set up a
class for herself, her family and me. At first I was very bad at dancing, but
who cares? Because I was happy! I finally could have tried what I had always
been interested. If you have something like that, you should start now because you
will feel happier than any moment. Life is short and nobody can do it for you.
Don’t be scared! Be brave! And start your new hobby! It will change your life.
7.
Love
One of my favorite Spanish word is cariño. That is translated as “affection.” Peruvians
are very “cariñosos” not only to other people but also to the natures, plants,
and animals. People here give a lot of hugs and kisses. They always tell “I
love you” each other. Loving people makes you as happy as being loved so show
your love to people. Appreciate that you could have them in your life. Also, my
host mom loves plants and animals. She has a lot of plants in her house. She
takes care of them very well. On my first day in Peru, she brought me plants in
my room. To be honest, I didn’t care about it at first because I was too lazy
to take care of them and I wasn’t that interested in plants. But later, I
started taking care of them. I watered them every day. Then I found happiness
there. Plants die eventually just like people and animals. But all of the
creatures has the most beautiful moment. When I could see it, I was excited.
Also, my host family has a dog. I had never had a pet except a hamster and gold
fish. I liked animals but not as much as I do now. Having an animal at home
makes a huge difference in a life because I care about other animals more and
feel affection towards them. Loving people, plants, and animals bring you
happiness. If you wanted to be loved, you should love them first!
8.
Appreciate
nature and take care of it
After
coming to Peru, I learned not every place can have the beautiful nature. For example,
Peru has a lot of natures including, the oceans, the mountains, and the rain
forests. However, many places have none of it. They have sands and that’s it. I
was involved in a volunteering group whose mission is to make a park in the
area there is no plant. After having that experience, I learned how hard it is
to grow even on plant and make the area greener. It takes a lot of time and
effort. Also, I like surfing but I won’t be able to practice it after going
back to Nebraska because there is no ocean. Now I’m so thankful that I have the
ocean here because not everybody can have it. So please realize that how
amazing it is to have the beautiful nature and don’t ruin the nature because it
can’t come back after losing it. Don’t throw trash on the street or the beach
or anywhere because it will be too late to bring the beautiful nature back
after it got polluted. Don’t waste water because not everybody has it.
9.
Know that money doesn’t really make you happy
I was born in Japan. Japan is a beautiful
country. It is very advanced and everything is convenient. Japan is a lot
richer than other countries. In general, people are more likely to get what
they want. However, there is one thing that many Japanese don’t have. It’s
happiness. Japanese people work too much. The society and culture make them do
it. One of each 10 people have a mental problem because they are too stressed
out. Thousands of people choose to kill themselves each year because they think
their lives are too hard. Here in Peru, people are not as rich as Japanese people,
but they are still happy. Actually, they are a lot happier than Japanese people.
This proves that money doesn’t make you happy. So forget about money and stay
relaxed because you can be happy without money. Pursuit what you like to do for
your life instead.
10. Be
thankful
I was thankful for everything all the time.
Since when I was in Nebraska, I have been trying to thank my friends, family,
the opportunities I got. But here in Peru, I thank many more things, even
nature. The nice warm weathers that let me enjoy the beach. The waves and wind that
allow me to surf. The beautiful sunset that I can watch with people I care
about. Being thankful makes you feel good so just take your time and think what
you should thank for because everything that happens to you is miracle.
So I want to take time here to show my appreciation.
Dear friends from Nebraska,
Thank you for 4 months. Everything I did with you was
amazing and unforgettable. At first, I was so nervous because I didn’t know if
I could become friends with you. I don’t speak English well and I’m quite. I
assume it was hard to talk with me and become friends with me. But you all
tried for me. Even just trying for me made me happy because many American
people even don’t try to talk to international students. I am very thankful for
it. I can’t thank enough. Thank you for respecting my culture and tried to understand
me. Thank you for trying to include me when you all do something. Thank you for
being friends with me. You all are super nice. I’m crying now because I already
miss you all. I am in the bus that we took together to go to Mancora for the
spring break, but you are not here. I’m alone. When I arrive in Mancora, I will
recall all the memories that we made together. I wanted to write a letter to
each of you, but I didn’t have time so please let me thank each of you here.
Ashley, the nature girl
You have such a beautiful heart because you know to love
natures and animals that are the most beautiful things in the universe. You
know, it is difficult to do that. Many people don’t even care about them. They
destroy natures and kill more animals than needed. But you want to save them. I
really respect you. I learned to love the nature and animals from you. I hope
you can achieve your dream and save the world. I believe in you! Good luck!
Abby, the friendliest girl
Abby I think you are the friendliest girl in our group! You made
a lot of friends here. You can make friends with anybody and anywhere! I
remember you asked me my name at the very first meeting at UNK. I was super
nervous and I couldn’t join the conversation, but you made me happy when you
talked to me. You’ve been super nice to me and trying to be friends all the
time. Thank you so much! I’m so sad that you won’t be in Kearney from next
semester, but I’m happy for you getting in UNMC! You will be a good nurse.
Ahnika, the smartest girl
Ahnika, you are so cool. You are so young but intelligent. I
still can’t believe you are the youngest in our group because you seem the most
intelligent girl in our group. You inspire me a lot. Also, you are strong. You
have a belief and you take actions based on it. You seek what you want and you
know what you need to do. I am so glad I could get to know you. You’ll be a
good teacher for sure! You are such a negotiator by the way.
Claire, the partiest girl (obviously)
Claire, you are such a fun girl. I love going out with you. Every
time I go out with you, I have a lot of fun. I don’t know anybody who parties as
hard as you do hahaha I met a lot of people through you. Going out and meeting
new people make you learn a lot of things so keep doing it! You know to have
fun and that brings your friends smile and fun memories. Don’t forget to invite
me to your party after we both go back to Nebraska :D
Danielle, the oldest sister
Danielle, you are young but were a leader of the group. I
think we all got along each other so well because of you. You were friendly to
everybody and tried to make harmony among us. Before coming to Peru, I was
scared, what if nobody wanted to hang out with me? But I didn’t have to worry
about it because you always talk to me and tried to include me when you go out.
I really appreciated it because I’m always lost and don’t know what is
happening haha. You made me comfortable being in this group. Please talk to
international students at UNK because you are so good at it and making them feel
comfortable. I still remember when I first met you in the class. You don’t know
how appreciate I was that you talked to me first in the class. You made my day
that day. You are so good at taking care of people like an older sister.
Emi, the fanciest girl
Emi! Let me fisrt tell you that you are so fancy in any
occasion. Seriously though. You always dress nice and even your attitude is
fancy. I have a lot of good memories with you. My best memory with you was when
we went out at night in Mancora and danced in the ocean. That was the craziest
thing I’ve ever done so fun and one of the best memory in my life. Also, the
night when we went out by ourselves was fun too. I’m glad I could go out with
you that night because I could know about you more. You are younger than me but
you are so mature. You always make right choices for yourself and your
boyfriend. Invite me to your pool party when I get back to Kearney!
Gabi, the girlishest girl
Gabi, we haven’t talked a lot yet because we both are quite
ahahahahaha But I made many memories with you, especially in Mancora! We both
like the beaches so we went to walk on the beach together and that was one of
my favorite memories. You are like a girl that came from a fairy tale. You like
picking up sea shells. You love animals. You dress cute. You are shy. You are
like princess! I hope I can hang out with you in Nebraska again because I
really want to know about you more! Oh and be confident because you are so
smart. How people can learn math and Spanish at the same time?
Mariah, the countriest girl
I think you are the most Nebraska girl because you like
football game and country music. You even play the guitar. You are so cool!
When I go back to Nebraska, I want to be a Nebraska girl like you! Also, thank
you for being interested in my culture and respecting it. It made me feel good
so please try to do it to other international students too! I hope I can hang
out with you when I go back to Nebraska. Here is my to-do list in Nebraska. 1. Going
to a Huskers game. 2. Riding a horse. 3. Taking a picture with a football
player. Help me complete it!
Marki, the funniest girl
You are the funniest to me Marki! Especially after 5 p.m.
ahaha I haven’t figured out why you become sassy after 5 pm, but you are super
funny when you are sassy. You make people laugh :D I’ll miss you and your
pretty smile! We haven’t gone out by ourselves yet so I hope to do that in
Kearney so I can get to know you more! Congratulations on your getting an
internship (It was an internship, right?). I wish you the best luck!
Shelby, the kindest girl
I have known you longer than anybody else since we have the
same major. I respect you so much because you work hard not only for yourself
but also for other people. You have done a lot of humanitarian activities. I am
so impressed and inspired. You want to save people. You have such a big heart. I
was wondering if you sleep because you have a good GPA, but you are involved in
many student organizations plus you are in a sorority and you work. You are so
active! Also, you are good at socializing. You are friendly and fun! You are my
role model! Congratulations on your graduation and getting a job. I wish you a
bright future! I will try to find a job that saves people like you!
Stephen and Barbara, dad and mom
Thank you very much for 4 months! You two are the most
awesome and cool professors! I can’t imagine my studying abroad experience
without you. You made the class so fun and interesting. I learned a lot of
things for you and your class. You two are very friendly and respectful. I want
to become like you! Also, thank you for helping me in many things and trying to
understand me. Not every professor can do it. I can’t wait to see you two and
tell you all about my adventure in Mancora and Ecuador! Please keep posting pictures
of your experience on Facebook because I always enjoy them.
Thank you all and wish all of you the best of luck in everything
and hope to see you all soon! Love you all!
