Student diary in Boston, Aug 27 ③
Today, we spent the whole day sightseeing in Boston, with our AGL Hana guiding us to various places.
In the morning, we went to a beautiful photo spot where we could enjoy Boston’s stylish cityscape. The buildings were made of brick, the lights were old-fashioned lamps, and even the trees and road signs had a charming atmosphere. We took lots of photos and created fun memories together.
Next, we enjoyed a boat tour in one of Boston’s parks. While floating on the calm pond, we saw some adorable mallards and filmed them. The weather was perfect, and the peaceful ride made us feel relaxed and even a little elegant.
After that, we went shopping at cosmetic stores, libraries, clothing shops, supermarkets, and other places we were interested in. We bought lots of souvenirs! One of the highlights was shopping at Trader Joe’s. While many things in Boston are more expensive than in Japan, Trader Joe’s had a wide variety of items at relatively reasonable prices. I bought a tote bag, one of their most popular souvenirs, for my family. The bag is super cute—I highly recommend it!
For lunch, we had Boston’s famous clam chowder. I ordered the version that comes in a bread bowl. It was too big for me, so next time I’ll get a regular cup. Still, the combination of creamy clam chowder and warm bread was absolutely delicious.
In the afternoon, we stopped by a food stall and picked up more souvenirs like keychains, stuffed animals, and magnets.
Before dinner, Hana gave us our training completion certificates. At that moment, we were overcome with mixed emotions: relief that the training was over, sadness that it was coming to an end, and a strong sense of accomplishment. Many of us cried a lot. When dinner started, we were still so emotional that we couldn’t really taste the food—but by the end, we were smiling and enjoying our last meal together.
Even though this program lasted only eight days, it was truly emotional and unforgettable. During the final reflection session at the hostel, everyone was in tears. And I thought to myself: “We grow through these kinds of experiences.”
Tomorrow, we’ll finally head back to Japan. Of course, I miss home—but I’m not just bringing back souvenirs in my suitcase. I’m bringing back souvenirs in my heart.
Haruka H
