In June of 2015, all of my friends & I had just graduated high school. Most of them were going off to university, to a life of dorm rooms, lecture halls, and frat parties. I was feeling a bit burnt out from school and to be honest, my grades weren't the best. So when the opportunity presented itself to take a job in Japan— I said yes.
Looking back, this was the most impactful decision of my life. I got my passport, said goodbye to my family, and at the age of 17, left the United States for the first time. If I could go back in time and thank my younger self, I would.
