Asia Griffis - Fall 2022

I am truly honored and grateful to have been afforded this opportunity by my school, and to have this opportunity made a reality by the Bridging Foundation. I just returned from Japan a handful of days ago, stepping foot back home after 6 long but well spent months. The returning process was so hectic and rushed that for a few days I hadn't taken the time to sit and reflect on my time. It was likely the biggest and most worthwhile challenge of my life so far; every day there was something new to learn, even something as trivial as where to stand on the elevator. It wasn't until I went out with my family and grappled with the million questions they threw me that I began to process just what an adventure it had been. I learned a lot about myself as well as learning about Japan in a far more intimate way than ever before.

Now that I'm preparing to enter my final semester before graduation, I hope to continue TAing alongside my Japanese instructors and seek other opportunities to connect with Japan in graduate school. 

Included are five of my favorite photos featuring several of the people I was lucky enough to have come to Japan and met. 

And a special thank you to the Jeremiah Trusty Memorial Foundation. 

Thank you so much,
Asia Griffis