Meet Courtney - A Graduating Senior at NC A&T State University

Courtney in Hiroshima, Japan on a cold day, with a castle behind her.

Travel Chops (TC): Where are you from? 
Courtney: I'm from Atlanta, Georgia.

TC: Where do you attend college and your career goals? 
Courtney: I am a graduating senior at NC A&T State University. My career goal is to be an entrepreneur. Exactly what kind of business I'd end up running- I'm still figuring that part out.





TC: You are moving to Japan after graduation. How did that decision come about? 
Courtney: My decision to move to Japan was made over 14 years ago, when I was just a child. I could've moved sooner but I didn't know how to. All of the information that's currently easily accessible on the internet either wasn't around when I was younger, or I was unable to find it (because I was so young and didn't know where to look). 

TC: What was your perception of Japan prior to your first experience traveling there? 
Courtney: My perception of Japan, before I went, was that it was a normal place like America. I did expect it to be different culturally, though. As I interacted with Japanese people and watched YouTube videos, I had a good understanding of what Japan would be like. 

TC: What was the reality of your first experience in Japan? 
Courtney: My first experience in Japan was everything I imagined and more. All of the things that I had seen on the internet, (most) of my experiences with Japanese people, and the career opportunities I'd hoped would be available to me were there.

TC: What do you do for fun? 
Courtney: I enjoy writing, drawing, and running in my free time.

TC: Name 2 of your favorite travel destinations? 
Courtney: My favorite two travel destinations have been Okinawa and Fukuoka. Both are in Japan.

TC: What are 2 destinations you have yet to visit? 
Courtney: I would really like to visit Busan, Korea and Cebu, Philippines. 

TC: What is your advice to persons contemplating living abroad? 
Courtney: Do it. Especially if you're Black. I can only speak for my experience in America, but traveling and living abroad is not encouraged in the Black community. To some degree, I understand people's concerns with going abroad, but I think you will learn a lot about your own identity and how to be comfortable in your own skin. Going to a place like Japan would've had a seriously negative impact on me (because I stuck out) if I didn't learn to be more confident. The upside to it is that you appreciate your own people more after being in a place where no one looks like you. Lastly, in some countries, including Japan, there are communities of Black people that are very close-knit because they're such a small minority there. It's like having a family (if you don't come from a close-knit family) or a family away from home. 

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Courtney at a space museum (TenQ) in Tokyo Japan.

A sunny picture of Courtney in Okinawa, Japan by the sea.

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