LCC stars shine bright across the globe!

By Sophia Potter
Editor in Chief

LCC alumni and former Japanese Club member Jay Racey is currently studying in Japan through the Japan Center for Michigan Universities, or JCMU, study abroad program. Racey answered the following questions about his experience via email; some quotes have been edited for length or clarity.

What motivated you to start studying Japanese?

My interest in studying Japanese came from a deep love of Japanese music. My first love was music and while in high school, I was introduced to a Japanese band called BABYMETAL. It was so crazy, but so fun! Since then, it’s been a long road of discovering Japanese music of all genres and as a consequence being exposed to the culture of Japan. My dream job is to be a musician of any kind, and I decided Japan is where I want to continue making music.

Was traveling to Japan always a goal you had?

I had little interest in travel in general until the past several years. After high school is when I started to really fall in love with Japanese music and culture. It wasn't until I discovered just how much Japanese music there is that I love and how intriguing the culture is to me that I started to want to travel to Japan.

It was more of a dream and it didn't seem like a very attainable goal until I discovered JMCU and found out how affordable it is! With my student financial aid, it hasn't been a walk in the park financially to do this, but extremely worth it to me. 

How did studying Japanese at LCC help empower or motivate you to study abroad?

People I met there suggested I take a summer semester in Japan. I hadn't thought of that! While I don't think I would have felt comfortable doing a whole semester out of the gate, a month-long summer course was perfect for dipping my toes into the country.

This is your second time studying in Japan. What made you decide to return, especially for a longer stay?

In short, I decided to come back because I love it here! In May, I took JCMU's Teaching English in Japan course because I figured teaching English in Japan was my best bet for trying to start a life there. The idea of teaching wasn't that appealing to me, but I thought I could do it if it meant pursuing a life of making music in this culture I had come to love from afar. But I actually loved teaching English! It's scary, stressful, and overwhelming, but it's so rewarding.

I have found that I fit in so well over here. I can't put my finger on what it is, but most of the Japanese people I've met have brought me out of my shell. I feel so comfortable here! I wasn't happy with the progress I was making in my Japanese language studies at home, and based on what I saw while I was here at JCMU last year, I decided taking a semester of Japanese here would be my best bet to kickstart my Japanese language education. So far, it seems I was right!

What are some of the favorite memories you have made in Japan so far?

During my last trip, I went to Nagoya to see one of my favorite bands: AFTER SQUALL. They killed it. And they weren't headlining this show, so afterwards I was able to meet them and have a conversation with them. They were so kind. They took the time to ask about me and check out my guitar covers YouTube channel and take pictures with me.

Another favorite is one of my first days here in Hikone, I took photos with my instant camera of the sun setting on Lake Biwa. I saw a lady with a big camera come up and do the same! When we were finished taking our pictures, I stopped her and said "Here is a souvenir from an American!" in Japanese. Her face lit up! She seemed so appreciative and so happy; I was too nervous to understand what she was saying other than "thank you", but the message got across. My first time making a stranger in Japan smile meant the world to me.

Has there been anything that really surprised you about Japan or your travels in general?

I think what has surprised me most has been myself. I'm surprised, paradoxically, both by how little Japanese I know and also by how well I'm able to communicate in Japanese. Hearing native speakers talk amongst themselves is intimidating because I can barely understand a word they're saying, but as I continue to get more comfortable putting myself out there, my limited Japanese is often enough to get my point across. And almost everyone has been super patient with me and seemingly happy that I'm trying in the first place.

If there are other students who are interested in studying abroad via the JCMU, what advice would you give them?

First of all, I would say do it, if you can! Don't underestimate what you're capable of. Also, financial aid can help a significant amount, and there are many scholarships to apply to: your school's study abroad department, JCMU exclusive scholarships, and external scholarships!

It's scary to take the plunge into a different country, but JCMU does so well to make you comfortable. The office staff both in Michigan and in Hikone are so incredibly helpful. If you have a question about anything, all you need is to ask it! Even if it's "can you help me get a taxi?" "How do I get to Nagoya?" "What should I do for fun this weekend?" or "I'm out of toilet paper, where in the world do I find toilet paper in a Japanese grocery store with signs I can't read?".

Learn more about JCMU Wednesday, Feb 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 1 at their virtual information session or by signing up for an individual advising session.