“My parents wanted me to be a public lawyer back home in India to help people who can’t afford legal counsel. But I was kind of selfish and even fickle minded. I took the biggest risk of my life by dropping out of law school and leaving the family business just to be back in Japan (I was an exchange student before). At first they were against it but then eventually approved after I passed the exam. Although life was tough here and I basically had to start from scratch. With no scholarship, I had to pull myself up by my bootstraps, working part-time at an izakaya (Japanese-style pub). I would work until 2 am or 3 am then go to class early in the morning. Having few friends because of my busy schedule, my employer at the izakaya practically became my foster parent (or guardian if you will). Thanks to both the financial and emotional support that she provided, I got through some tough times in Japan. She’s a divorced single-mother with two kids but still took a chance on me when she accepted me into their izakaya family. Looking back, after almost regretting coming back to Japan with all the school and money problems I faced, I’m glad I took the risk.”
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