Studying abroad is a big decision, and being away from family and friends for a long time can make you feel homesick. But there are always ways to feel at home even when you’re surrounded by new people in a different country.
In a recent heartwarming video shared by user @saresensei, he captures a touching moment with his old neighbour from Japan, who was trying to catch up with him and his family as they were leaving the neighbour’s house.
An old neighbour from Japan
In this adorable encounter, an elderly woman tries to catch up with a family to give them souvenirs after their visit to her home.
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Sare Sensei shared that makcik Kurihara-san is one of his old neighbours who used to bring him food regularly while he was still studying and renting in Japan.
“After getting to know me, she would often give me food, especially when I came back from classes. Sometimes I felt shy about it, but I always accepted her generosity,” he explained.
Old habits die hard
Sare Sensei continued to explain that makcik Kurihara-san’s act of kindness in giving souvenirs came from habit of offering food and gifts to him in the past.
Despite him having finished his studies a decade ago, makcik Kurihara-san still felt compelled to give him and his family something when they visited her home during their trip to Japan.
“We were neighbours for 5 years. My relationship with makcik Kurihara-san continued until I got married, and my wife lived together with me in that rented house. They treated my wife well, and I would always invite makcik Kurihara-san to come over to enjoy Malaysian food. I was also invited to her house to eat Japanese cuisine.”
He moved to a new house but their relationship remained strong
Sare Sensei shared that soon after getting married, he and his wife moved to a slightly bigger house about 4km away from makcik Kurihara-san. As a result, they didn’t see each other much after that.
He explained how they had to move because their previous rented house felt cramped with 2 people in the house, and one of the conditions for staying in the house was that only single tenants could stay there.
However, he mentioned that his relationship with makcik Kurihara-san stayed strong. They still met occasionally, and she would come to visit him and his family at their new home.
He brought his family to Japan to finally meet makcik Kurihara-san
Sara Sensei shared that since returning to Malaysia, he has visited Japan several times for work and other reasons but hasn’t had the chance to visit makcik Kurihara-san.
However, he has always dreamed of bringing his wife and children to Japan someday to meet makcik Kurihara-san and introduce the children to the other kind neighbours there.
“Year after year, we couldn’t make the trip due to the high expenses and lack of available time. But at the end of 2023, we had an opportunity and planned a trip to Japan for the April 2024 holiday break and finally met makcik Kurihara-san after 15 years.”
You can watch the heartwarming video down below:
Having a neighbour like makcik Kurihara-san is exactly what we need when living abroad. It brings a sense of home, especially when you’re far away from your family in your home country.
