Kazahana Study

I hope your New Year celebration went well! I prefer staying at home than to party so, I celebrated at home with my boyfriend. We watched the fireworks from our game room window and spent the night gaming!

Looking Back: Lessons from 2024

Before diving into the 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on 2024. For many, it was a year of rebuilding, learning, and adapting. For me it was filled with learning, opportunities and adaptability. My mother got diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of 2024, so the start of the year was rough. My mom is now cancer free and our family is overjoyed!

In 2024 I applied for exchange study program at my school and got accepted. My destination will be Japan, where I’ll be staying from March till August. I will be attending Momoyama Gakuin Daigaku also known as St. Andrews University.

Setting the Tone for 2025

This year carries the theme of growing. For me this year will be filled with exciting happenings and even a bit scary. Most of my life I have been extremely shy and timid in unfamiliar situations. So now that I’m going to Japan to study, I will be doing a lot of things that are out of my comfort zone! My biggest tasks in 2025 will be as follows:

1. Flying on my own: I am deadly afraid of flying. I know it’s safe and all but just the idea of being so far up in the sky gives me the creeps. So, when I go to Japan, I have to fly alone for the first time.
2. Living in Japan: Longest I’ve ever been away from Finland was in 2019 when I was doing a internship at a daycare in Bilbao, Spain. I spent there 1 month but I had two of my classmates with me. This time I have to live in Japan alone for 6 months. I’ve been to Japan twice before but this time I am going to be without anyone I know. I have to be away from my family and boyfriend. Being away from my partner is going to be tough since we’ve been living together almost two years now. He was the one who cheered for me to go for this opportunity since he knows that this has been my dream since a little kid. So, I will do my best!
3. Staying connected: I’m going to be spending half a year away from home, so it is really important to stay connected to my loved ones in Finland. Considering that both countries are very different due to their locations. It will be easier for everyone to know how I am doing especially if there is any earthquakes or any other issues while I am there. It is also important to just catch up and ease the longing for home!

A Call to Action

2025 is a blank canvas waiting to be painted with your aspirations, efforts, and triumphs. Let’s make it a year where kindness, creativity, and courage lead the way. Whether you’re setting resolutions, starting new projects, or simply striving to be your best self, remember: every step forward counts.

Here’s to a year of possibilities, progress, and positivity. Welcome, 2025—we’re ready for you!