While some students sent their summers working, sleeping or taking a typical family vacation, senior Maddie Roll travel across the Pacific in dig into her ancestory. Roll trekked through Japan for her first two weeks of summer, visiting distant relatives and furthering her understanding of the Japanese culture.

So you spent two weeks in Japan, did the trip give you more insight into your heritage?
“Yes, my family trip to Japan definitely allowed me to see more into my heritage. I learned many ‘rules’ that the Japanese have that we in the United States don’t have. My uncle told me that eating and drinking while walking is seen as disrespectful and there are absolutely no trash cans on the street. I also got to meet some distant relatives who live in Japan that I had never met before. Most of them could speak little English but conversations where a lot like charades and you never knew if they actually understood what you said, but it allowed me to get to know a side of my family I had never seen.”

What was the most unique experience from the trip?
“The most unique experience I had while I was there was visiting the family marker, which is like a tombstone with Japanese characters on it with the family name. The ashes of the families’ deceased are put there so they can all rest together. When you go to the family marker, you must pay your respects by pouring water over the markers. It gave me a sense of belonging because we if this with our distant family whom had never met before.”

Are you planning to travel more in Asia?
“Yes, I am definitely planning on going to Asia again. I don’t know when or where but I will be returning.”

Have you had any other experiences in the States that have made you more accepting of your roots?
“Well, many people ask me about my trip and when I recall everything about it I feel more knowledgeable about where I came from since I was actually able to experience it.”

Have you found any opportunities in the area to further explore the Japanese culture?
“Yes, actually during Labor Day weekend there was a Japanese Festival at the Botanical Gardens. My mother is the president of the St. Louis branch of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and every year at this festival we have a soda booth. I have been working at this soda booth since I was born and being there every year let’s me see the fun taiko drumming performance or the sumo wrestling demonstration. This festival is good at giving a little piece of Japanese culture to the people of St. Louis.”