Chad Sziszak, a senior physics major, spent the summer of 2010 in Tokyo, Japan in order to participate in more hands-on projects that interested him and had to do with his major. There he met Tatsuo Okiyama, of Hachijo Tokyo, and befriended him. This eventually led to Okiyama spending time in Louisiana and experiencing  Southeast Louisiana.

“It’s a great experience on many levels,” said Sziszak on his time in Japan.

For Sziszak, a typical day in Tokyo began at 8 a.m. and lasted until 11 p.m. A workweek in Japan lasted from Monday to Saturday. Days were spent in the lab working on various projects.  Nights were spent socializing and experiencing Japan outside of the university where Sziszak studied.

“Bars aren’t the same over there,” said Sziszak. “They have some that you have to pay by the hour to stay in.”

Along with the nightlife, Sziszak described the different food experiences.

“I tried raw horse, and was told after what it was that I had just eaten,” said Sziszak.

His appreciation for sushi also changed.

“Sushi here is nothing compared to the sushi over there,” said Sziszak. “What you’re eating over there was just caught that morning, put on a ship and then made to eat that afternoon.”

Amongst the different experiences, Sziszak explained his hardest struggle was the language barrier in the foreign country.

“It’s really frustrating to be somewhere and not be able to talk for two months,” said Sziszak. However, he did manage to make friends and form a lasting bond with Japanese colleague, Okiyama.

Okiyama recently visited Sziszak here in Hammond to have his turn at experiencing America.

During hia stay, Okiyama took a trip to New Orleans and visited the French Quarter. He was excited to see the causeway and learned just what it took to run this famous New Orleans landmark. Even Sziszak learned a few new things about his own culture.

“I had no idea how many people it took just to run a bridge,” said Sziszak. “There is a whole building filled with people managing it.”

Okiyama also enjoyed the hospitality of the Louisiana residence and the state’s atmosphere.

“Louisiana people are very nice,” said Okiyama.

While Okiyama was here, he stayed with Sziszak in his Hammond apartment and was amazed with size of the living area.

“His entire apartment was only 15 foot by 15 foot and only one room,” said Sziszak. “That was pretty different for me, but that is pretty normal for an apartment in Tokyo.”

Okiyama recently returned to Tokyo, but stays in contact with Sziszak.

“I spent the entire seven weeks I was in Tokyo and the three weeks he was here with him, so we definitely bonded,” said Sziszak.