Greetings, Smithsonian Japan students! We (your program leaders) are counting down the days to our arrival in Japan, and our excitement is growing! Our co-leader team officially met at orientation, and we foresee an incredible trip ahead of us. We have awesome activities planned, including a Tokyo Giants game and a Studio Ghibli Museum visit. We encourage you to start thinking about the important questions, such as, “Which type of sushi should I try first? ” 😉 And in the true Smithsonian spirit, we’ll have endless opportunities to observe curiously, share ideas, reflect on our experiences, and practice new skills. Japan offers in-depth ancient history, extraordinary architecture, and trendsetting modern culture. We hope you are as eager about Japan (and sushi) as we are. Arigato!

— Mary & Bryan