03/04/2022
Sabastian Youngblood (Class of 2017) didn’t let a pandemic get in the way of his dream of living in Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on Jan. 3, 2021, the day before Japan closed its borders to visitors due to COVID-19. Sabastian ventured to Japan as a student at Temple University Japan Campus, where he is majoring in Japanese.
He is now enjoying his second year of study in Japan and building his fluency in the language. “I love this country so much,” Sabastian said in Zoom call from his apartment outside of Tokyo. “I remember I was 12 when I first wanted to live and work here and nothing has changed.”
Sabastian’s love of anime and videogames sparked his interest in all things Japanese and he started studying the language in 8th grade. While attending Pasadena City College, a classmate told him about the Temple University program in Tokyo. He jumped at the opportunity to live and study abroad.
Sabastian lived in a college dorm for the first seven months, then found an apartment about an hour outside of downtown Tokyo. He takes the train to campus for his classes.
Throughout the pandemic, and most recently during the Omicron surge, life has carried on without too many restrictions, Sabastian said. “The stores are open, we have in-person classes. It’s not too bad. Something is always happening.”
“The best part about living here is that there is always something new and different,” Sabastian said. “The people I meet and the conversations I have are always interesting.
“The hardest part is being an adult--paying for rent and transportation, and trying to do this independently,” he said. To help make ends meet he works in an afterschool program helping Japanese children learn English.
Sabastian is the middle of three brothers who attended Frostig. Pariss (Class of 2012), the eldest, is a husband, father and member of the United States Air Force. Aramiss (Class of 2019) is going to Pasadena City College with hopes of becoming an engineer.
Sabastian, who has ADHD, credits Frostig with helping him grow and giving him the confidence to express his passions for anime, videogames and Japanese. It takes confidence to pursue one’s dreams far from home and family. Congratulations Sabastian—your friends at Frostig are following your journey with interest and pride!