Two Months in Japan: Learning More Than Just a New Culture

It's been two months since I arrived here, and I can honestly say that I've learned much more than I expected.

Living in a different country isn't only about adapting to new food, a new language, or a new environment. It's also about observing people. Over these two months, I've met many different individuals, and I've found myself paying attention to how they think, how they communicate, how they behave, and even the little habits that make each person unique.

Coming from Indonesia, I've noticed many differences. Some surprised me, some inspired me, and some challenged the way I usually see things. Every interaction has become part of my learning process.

Of course, not every experience has been comfortable.

Recently, I started feeling uncomfortable communicating with one of my colleagues, who is also a student. During conversations, they often seem to rush things unnecessarily, creating a sense of pressure even when the situation doesn't really require it. Maybe that's simply their communication style, but for me, it feels overwhelming.

Because of that, I've decided to set some boundaries. I still communicate whenever it's truly necessary, but I no longer go out of my way to interact more than I need to. Sometimes keeping a little distance is the healthiest way to maintain a respectful relationship.

I don't hold any resentment toward them. I simply recognize that not every personality matches mine, and that's perfectly okay.

Perhaps one of the biggest lessons from living abroad isn't just learning about another culture—it's also learning how to understand people, protect your own peace, and accept that not every relationship has to become a close friendship.

And honestly, I think that's part of growing.

日本に来て2か月。文化だけじゃなく、人についても学んでいる。

日本に来て、あっという間に2か月が経ちました。

この2か月で、新しい環境や文化だけではなく、本当にいろいろな人と出会いました。インドネシアで育った自分にとって、日本で出会う人たちは考え方や話し方、行動、そして日常の小さな習慣まで違っていて、それを観察するのがとても面白いです。

毎日の何気ない会話や出来事も、自分にとっては学びの連続です。

もちろん、すべてが心地よい経験というわけではありません。

最近、一人の同僚（同じ学生）とのコミュニケーションに少し疲れを感じるようになりました。その人は必要以上に急かすような話し方をすることが多く、そこまで急ぐ必要がない場面でも、なぜかプレッシャーを感じてしまいます。

もちろん、それがその人のコミュニケーションのスタイルなのかもしれません。でも、自分には少し合わないと感じました。

だから最近は、本当に必要なときだけやり取りをするようにしています。距離を置くことは相手を嫌うことではなく、お互いに気持ちよく過ごすための一つの方法だと思っています。

海外で生活していると、文化だけではなく、人との距離感や、自分にとって心地よい人間関係についても学ぶことが多いです。

みんなと仲良くなる必要はない。でも、お互いを尊重しながら、自分の心の平穏も大切にしたい。

それもまた、海外生活で得られる大切な学びなのだと思います。