My name is Marie and I am bi-racial woman of Japanese and American decent. While I was born in Japan, I was raised in the United States.

During my undergraduate studies, I made the decision to explore my Japanese roots and the wider world through my education. I left to study abroad in 2013, and since then, have lived extensively outside of the United States in France, Japan, Indonesia, and now Germany.

Through travel and employment abroad, I have been able to experience my identity in multiple contexts outside of my native one. Each adventure has expanded both my perception of myself as well as my understanding of a vast and complicated world.

Along the way-through both successes and failures-I have learned that there is both wisdom and value in immersing yourself in environments that challenge and humble you.

My personal mission is to generate both awareness and compassion for different lived experiences. I hope that by writing these blogs, I can work towards that aspiration.

I want to thank the friends who have shaped my travels, and most of all, my family on three continents for being a grounding force in my life. I would not be who I am today without you.

Thank you for reading my writing.