Intern # 180
San Diego, California, United States
Instagram: @jackryan5864
Before Obubu:
I studied Political Science: Data Analysis with a minor in International Studies at the University of California, San Diego, and worked in civil service before I travelled to Wazuka for the Obubu internship. While San Diego has been my home for many years, I frequently travelled back to my family’s farm in Waterloo, Iowa, USA. Following the completion of my degree and work contract in June of 2024, I flew from San Diego to Osaka and from there began my tea adventure!
Why Obubu:
Although I had grown up drinking tea nearly every morning, before coming to Wazuka I was primarily familiar with the anglo style of brewing ceylonese or assam black tea with the addition of milk. It wasn’t until my third year of university in 2023 that I was exposed to Sencha (Obubu’s Wind Sencha specifically) and began considering learning about Japanese tea. My roommate, and good friend, Holden Adamec had visited Obubu during his 2023 tour of East Asia and my decision to apply for the internship was initially the result of his enthusiasm. I became intrigued by Obubu’s close ties to Wazuka and I wanted to learn how a small company could be so influential in developing a rural community.
Time at Obubu:
Living and working at Obubu was an exhilarating experience. Each day was an education unto itself and I struggle to recall a mundane moment. Around every corner, up every slope, and down every road a new adventure or challenge was laying in wait. Weeding was meditation, harvesting was joy in action, tea tours an endless spring of comedy and motion. I met so many puzzlingly brilliant, exceptionally hard working, and wonderfully empathetic people during my time I would do a disservice by attempting to list or describe them. I harvested, processed, packaged, brewed, and sold my own wakoucha which I can confidently say is the first time anyone in my bloodline has done so. I travelled, met artisans possessed of skill beyond measure, collected JSDF energy drinks, spent evenings in good company while thunder raked the valley’s walls, feasted, got drenched by the summer rain, and did my utmost to live life to the best of my limited ability.
After Obubu:
I have business to attend to in the United States and a work contract to fulfil so October 15th will mark the end of my time in Japan. My current professional plan is to return to my career in civil service and potentially serve with a Federal service program. I will continue to cherish the knowledge, skills, and memories I gained during my time at Obubu because I genuinely feel that the internship experience helped me mature into a more well-rounded person. I will wholeheartedly recommend the internship program to others in the future.
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