Tyler Okui shares about connecting with his Asian heritage while studying abroad in Hiroshima, Japan.
There is truly no better feeling than going to an unknown place and quickly feeling a sense of acceptance and understanding. Although it would be quite a stretch to say that I felt that sensation instantly after I arrived in Hiroshima, Japan, for my term abroad, I felt something quite close to it.
Growing up as the son of an immigrant mother who moved to the U.S. from the Philippines when she was a young girl and a Japanese father who was born and raised in the valleys of California, I always carried both of their cultures with me wherever I went. Studying abroad as an Asian American in Hiroshima was no exception.
Within a few days, my personal sense of identity was tested. In my classes and out in the neighborhoods, I met people who were born in the Philippines and other local Japanese people.
Although I was often mistaken as a local Japanese person just because of the way my face looked, I was still an American student. Their understanding of my U.S. pride wasn’t a negative or a positive thing, but a reminder of who I am — or who I’m perceived to be.
With a bright smile on their faces, people would politely ask me, “Nihonjin?” This word simply translates to “Japanese person.” As surprised as some people were to learn that I was American, there were others who were just as pleasantly surprised to find out I was half-Japanese.
There were multiple instances during my study abroad when I was talking to a local resident, and they would say something along the lines of, “You look Japanese.” It was not said to be judgmental or to ostracize me, but just out of the simple curiosity to know if I was Japanese.
Studying abroad has a weird way of making you question simple things you wouldn’t have thought about otherwise, and the idea of how I was perceived by the local people was one of those things.
Throughout my life, I’ve always recognized the multicultural side of myself: I’m an Asian American who is from America. Without hesitation, I proudly say that I identify with all three of thecultures that I carry with me: American, Japanese, and Filipino.
Still, something lingered in the back of my mind every time I was recognized as a Japanese person during my study abroad. With a diverse background, I often feel like I don’t have a full understanding of all the elements in one single culture. As I was pointed out among my peers, I felt it hard to utter the simple words, “Yes, I am Japanese.” It wasn’t because I’m not Japanese, but rather because I didn’t feel entirely Japanese.
I asked myself, “What does it mean to be a Japanese person? How can I call myself a Japanese person if I can’t even speak the language?”
As these thoughts populated my mind, so did thoughts of why I was feeling this way and what it truly meant to be an Asian American.
My time abroad eventually grew to a close. I would like to say that I found out what it means to be an Asian American, but honestly, I didn’t. I still haven’t.
Each time I interact with a different culture, I really take a look at who I am. Study abroad pushed me to understand what makes me the person I am, and I’ve learned that the best answer to this sort of question is … there is no answer.
It’s really all about the journey. We travel to explore different cultures, which teaches us more about our identity, with all its layers and influences. Study abroad helps us appreciate what we have, whether it’s our heritage or sense of belonging.
For example, I’m now more grateful that my grandmother is close by in Las Vegas. She is an immigrant and good reminder of our family’s foundation to Filipino culture.
If we keep our minds open and our curiosity strong, who we are and the cultures we carry with us will always change. Studying abroad truly made me see the world and myself in a different light.
Tyler is a University of Nevada, Reno junior studying business management and marketing, with a minor in business analytics. Working with people, having fun, and trying new things is what drives him towards his goal of being a personable and educated global citizen.
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