The holiday season is traditionally a time when most students return home to spend time with family and friends, but for international students, that trip home is not always possible. Akira Igata, an exchange student at Georgetown from the International Christian University in Japan, will be spending his break from the Hilltop away from home, traveling up and down the East Coast. In an interview with THE HOYA, Igata talks about life in Japan, his family’s holiday traditions and his plans for the upcoming winter vacation.

What school are you in?

I’m an exchange student, so technically I would be in the College I guess, but I get to pick whatever classes I want to take.

What are you studying?

International law.

Where are you from and what school did you attend in Japan?

I’m from Tokyo, Japan. My school was called ICU, International Christian University.

Why did you choose to come to Georgetown?

I had several options but I wanted to study law and international relations and this was the best place to do that.

Were there any other factors that went into your decision to come to Georgetown?

I guess the fact that some of the students who graduated Georgetown actually work on Capitol Hill in the United States and work internationally. So I thought that would be an interesting factor in the situation here, you know, to be able to talk with those kinds of students who may be famous one day.

How does Georgetown compare with ICU? Have you noticed any really big differences?

I guess the biggest difference would have to be the students because most of the Japanese students tend to be quieter during classes, but here, everyone’s so active, and I guess this activism during classes is really different in terms of the actual students.

Any other differences you noticed?

I guess it might be weird if I say this, but the fact that there are so many international students. I mean, my school in Japan was supposed to be international, but it’s still mostly Japanese students. Here, though, you have people from the Middle East, people from Asia, people from all over the place. I think it’s really interesting.

How would you be spending the holiday if you were at home?

Most of the time I’d be spending with my family. You know, family gatherings and all that.

Do you have any special family traditions for the holiday?

Well, just like any other Japanese family, just all the families get together and celebrate Christmas. Of course, during New Year’s, we eat rice cakes and we go to the temple – even though most of us are usually agnostic or atheist, but still we just go to the temple because it’s not really a matter of religion, but it’s more like a custom. We go and say – I’m not sure who we’re even talking to when we go – but we say like, `Please protect us through the year,’ and stuff like that.

What are your holiday plans while you are in the United States?

I’m planning to travel around the East Coast by myself because most of my roommates are going back to their houses. It’s actually my first time traveling around by myself, so I’m really looking forward to having some time off doing whatever I feel like whenever I want. There are nearly three weeks off, so it looks like I can cover a whole lot. I’m planning to make my way up north, stopping in New York, Boston, maybe even going all the way up to Montreal. After that, I’ll make my way back south, probably stopping at minor places like Philadelphia and Baltimore. I’ve only booked hostels in New York and Boston so far, so I’ve got to decide my itinerary very soon. But yeah, I’m really looking forward to roaming around the East Coast, meeting some new people, eating some good food and feeling the American holiday spirit.

Have you noticed any differences in how Americans celebrate and Japanese celebrate?

I was really surprised at Thanksgiving because most people were spending time with their families, and in that sense, I think it’s the same. For Christmas, in Japan, we kind of copy off the United States, so it’s basically the same thing except maybe a smaller tree and a smaller space. I mean, I guess Americans party harder when they party – that’s for sure.

Is there anything that you’re really going to miss about spending the holidays at home?

Yeah, holidays are the only time I really get to talk with my other relatives, so I guess I’m going to miss that.

Is there anything special you’re hoping to get for Christmas?

No ideas, although my dad did give me two opportunities to use his credit card to go out to eat something really expensive if I want.