My name is Laura and I’m originally from Pennsylvania , but I now live in Fussa, Tokyo, Japan (about a 37 minute ride on the JR to Shinjuku – if I manage to catch the rapid train). I’m a graduate student working on my dissertation here and I love it! I’ve been in Tokyo since December and have learned a lot, but I still struggle with reading (figuring out kanji for “entrance” and “exit” was really helpful in parking lots) and understanding what I hear (I nod and say “Hai” a lot, I’m sure I look insane). The Japanese people I’ve met are tremendously friendly and try so hard to remember their high school English to help me (and they’re great with hand signals), but I’m in their country and I need to learn their language. So here I am!