University of Minnesota Athletics
Summer Scope: Becca Roberts
7/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
July 2, 2014
During the academic year, the Gophers are focused on two things: school and their sport. But when classes are not in session, the Gophers are on the go! Catch up with some of the women's soccer team as they spend their summer on adventures far away from home or living their dreams in their own backyard.
Senior defender Becca Roberts experienced life abroad while studying in Japan this summer. Here are just a few of her amazing experiences and photos highlighting her favorite moments.
After a 13-hour flight, I was extremely happy to finally have arrived in Japan and start my study abroad experience! Needless to say after a long day of travel and a 14-hour time change, I went straight to bed to rest up for all of the amazing things Japan has to offer.
The first week I spent most of my time getting comfortable living and navigating in a foreign county. I had no previous experience with speaking Japanese or using a train for transportation so there was definitely a huge culture shock. Because I was staying in a hotel just outside the city of Tokyo, one of the first excursions of the trip was taking the train into the heart of the city. While in Tokyo I went to the famous Tsukiji fish market, which is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. I also made it to Harajuku Square and Takeshita Street, the area famous for Japanese youth culture and fashion.
After the first week, we started to venture out into different parts of the main island of Japan. One of my favorite trips was to Hakone. In Hakone, we drove up the side of the mountain to Owakudani, which was filled with natural onsens (hot springs). At the onsen we visited, they hard boiled eggs that they say give you seven extra years of life if you eat them. On this adventure, I was also able to experience an onsen for myself that was extremely relaxing.
Another highlight from my trip was a three-day excursion to the cities of Kyoto and Nara. In Kyoto and Nara I saw amazing temples and castles that have been preserved since the 1600's, one of which included the largest indoor Buddha statue. I also got to participate in a zazen meditation session and a traditional tea ceremony. Both of these experiences gave me insight to the Japanese culture and the methods they use in everyday life in order to increase their general well-being.
While I spent a lot of time experiencing the Japanese culture, I also took a class that met in the mornings and was centered on how the Japanese use aesthetics to maintain a healthy and well society.
This list is just a small part of the exciting adventures I experienced while in Japan. I also participated in karaoke, ate amazing sushi, visited the site of the 3/11 tsunami, saw beautiful beaches, did lots of shopping and met incredible people. It was a wonderful experience that I am going to remember for the rest of my life and would do it again in a heartbeat.
