Finding a home in Japan – Petra Lesek

In November 2022, I was lucky enough to be selected for the MEF Study Tour of Japan. The Mitsui Educational Foundation (MEF) was founded with the goal of promoting relationships and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia. In working towards this vision, the foundation selects eight Australian university students to travel to Japan for an immersive learning experience surrounding history, business, culture and relations with Australia.

If I were to detail all the little experiences and moments that made this tour so special this would be the length of a novel, so I am just going to touch on a key highlight of my time in Japan and that was connection, to people and culture.

Japan so quickly felt like a home away from home, which is something I’ve never experienced on a trip away. I’ve never felt so welcomed, whether it was on the plane, the man greeting us at the breakfast buffet, the ladies fitting our kimonos or just walking down the street, the greetings and services offered were all so heartfelt and genuine. Something that feels a little bit foreign when coming from Australia.

Even parts of our environment felt like home, for me nature is super important for self-connection and recharge having grown up as a very outdoor orientated child in Tasmania, so Miyajima Island and Hakone were two places that I felt really connected to. Despite being surrounding by Oysters everywhere I looked on Miyajima Island, I’ll never forget the natural beauty of this place, it was vibrant and like Hakone reflected what seemed like traditional Japan.

Speaking of home, the notion of family was quite prominent. I can’t reiterate just how rewarding the homestay was and how matched I felt with my homestay parents. They really showed me the importance of just being happy through living simply; finding joy in his motorbike, her paintings, their veggie garden, cooking for their family and just taking opportunities, highlighting that age should never be something that holds you back. It’s a feeling I can’t explain, considering we barely spoke the same language, yet there was an instant sense of calm and connection. This has been something I’ve put a great deal of thought into and its taught me a lot about the power of actions over words and about the power of the energy we radiate,  it was through the initial smiles we shared, the aura of excitement we couldn’t help but exude and our eagerness to learn about each other.

My time spent in Japan through the MEF Study tour was life changing to say the least, and an experience I will reflect on for the rest of my days. I am forever grateful to both Deakin and Mitsui for providing me with this opportunity, my perspective of the world feels enriched, as well as my understanding of both myself and key global issues.

Petra attended the Mitsui Educational Foundation Program in T3 2022. In 2023 students can apply for the Mitsui Immersion Program which is open to 6 lucky students. For more information please visit the link.