This thesis is a work of creative nonfiction recounting formative moments of the author’s time studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan from 2017 to 2018. Each chapter stands alone as a memory of something that moved the author’s life in a new direction, but also works together to tell a cohesive narrative about the author’s growth as an exchange student in Japan. The piece covers topics such as the natural versus man-made world, navigating uncertain cultural expectations, and self-discovery.