秋田のホームステイ先のご家族と

From the moment I was notified that I had been selected to participate in this year's JBA Educators' Abroad trip to Japan, I've been filled with sense of wonder and excitement. To me, travel is the ultimate learning experience. The preparations leading up to the trip got me started thinking more deeply about Japan's people and its history and I cannot think of one activity that we did on our trip that did not teach me something and will not become a treasured memory for me. Whether it was our trip to the Meiji Jingu temple or a chance to actually wear a kimono, our visit to Tachiai Elementary School or cooking with the women's group in Akita, every new experience was just wonderful. My home stay was really a highlight for me. Having four generations of the Yasuda Family hosting me in Akita was wonderful. Memories of all of us practicing the art of communicating with smiles and mutual respect - since we did not have the words we would have liked to use - was a profound experience that I will keep in my heart forever. It made me realize just how much alike people from all parts of the world are and how much we can learn from sharing even a day with each other.

Now that we are home, my sense of wonder continues as I sort through my photos and send e-mails to my new found friends in Japan and among the teachers with whom we traveled. I know that all that I have experienced and learned will color the ways in which I work with my Japanese students and their families here in Irvine. Thank you to JBA, IEJ, and the Yasuda family for inviting me to participate in the trip of a lifetime!

「日本の街はどこも安全できれいですね」

My trip to Japan was a fabulous experience and the trip of lifetime. We were continually greeted by such warm hospitable Japanese people, which made our visit there an experience we will treasure in our hearts forever. Mr. & Mrs. Moromi took great care of us and ensured that we felt comfortable and enjoyed ourselves every step of the way. I was very impressed by how clean the streets are in Japan. The people were all so polite, warm and respectful. I felt very safe traveling in Japan, safer than any country I’ve ever been.

I am deeply grateful to the JBA and JETRO for selecting me to participate on this trip. It was a great educational experience, which I will be able to bring to my classroom. I learned so much about Japanese schools and customs. When I taught my math lesson to a Japanese class, I learned how it felt to be in an environment where I had to function but didn’t speak the language. This experience will be helpful and give me more insight with Japanese students in my classroom who arrive here speaking little or no English.

I really appreciate all of the careful and thoughtful planning that everyone from JBA and JETRO contributed to make this trip such a wonderful experience. It is a trip I will treasure in my heart forever.

My trip to Japan was an incredible experience that I will never forget. We began our trip in Tokyo, where we visited an elementary school and I teamtaught a lesson in fifth grade classrooms. This was definitely a challenging assignment, as most of the students did not speak English. I learned so much about how my own students who are recent immigrants to the United States must feel, as the Japanese students were working hard to understand what I was saying. We also visited a Shinto shrine and participated in a special blessing ceremony. This was something that few foreigners would ever get to do!

For our next adventure, we headed four hours north via Shinkansen bullet train to Akita, where we visited with regional government officials to learn about the prefecture. We were thrilled to relax in an Onsen and enjoyed a delicious dinner there. At the Katagami City elementary school the next day, we were greeted like royalty. The children and staff were happy to see us and include us in daily lessons of music, PE, English, calligraphy and more. One of the highlights of the trip was staying with a family on a home stay to truly experience Japanese lifestyle and culture. There I was treated to a Japanese tea ceremony from a tea master and learned the special rituals and traditions of the event. We toured the Sea of Japan coastal area, visited the Namahage Museum and Dairyuji Large Dragon Temple. I loved meeting my family and hope to remain in touch with them.

Next we moved on to Kyoto, city of geishas, temples and shrines. I enjoyed exploring the city and seeing the Golden Temple and beautiful Botanical Gardens. From there, we were fortunate to have a day trip to visit the memorial museum in Hiroshima and hear a Hiroshima survivor′s memories and testimony of the bombing of 1945. We returned to Tokyo and visited a baseball game (what an experience for me, a huge baseball fan!), did lots of shopping and explored many areas.

I will always be grateful to JBA, its members and staff for providing me with the trip of my lifetime! I gained such insight into the Japanese culture, school system, and students. Upon my return to my home school, I now have better understanding of our Japanese students and their culture. Thank you to everyone involved for giving me a lifechanging experience!

What stands out most in my mind is how well we were treated. Time and time again we remarked that we truly were treated like royalty. I was also in awe of how well everything was planned. This was greatly due in part to the amazing friends I met who were also on the trip.

First, I really loved being a part of the Kimono wearing experience. It was an honor to just be in such a famous kimono-making shop/factory, and then to actually have multiple women helping to dress you in such expensive and elaborate layers of fabric!

Another experience that I really cherish from the trip was getting to visit the elementary schools in both the busy city of Tokyo, and the slower paced countryside of Akita. I saw many interesting things in the schools that I visited. I loved how the schools had pools and the children had swimming lessons as part of their curriculum. I loved how the children ate lunch in the classroom and where responsible not only for serving one another but also for cleaning the school at the end of the day.

Staying with a Japanese host family was another very worthwhile experience. When I was first paired with my family, the language barrier was very evident and it was extremely difficult to communicate with one another. However, a few days later we were all much more comfortable and had really realized the value in gestures and non-verbal communication. I was so touched at how kind and hospitable my family was and we had an amazing day together going to visit and tour the Samurai houses.

I could go on and on about the nighttime dinners and trips for Sake and beers, or how shy many of us were upon first undressing in the Onsens. I could talk forever about the beautiful views from the Shinkansen as we traveled into the countryside, or about how heart wrenching it was to visit Hiroshima.

As amazing as the places of Japan were, I will also remember the spirit of the people. The Japanese people that I met were always willing to help you with anything they could and you always felt so safe everywhere you went. I will never forget the places I went to, the learning experiences I gained, or the wonderful people I met while in Japan.

One goal of having the demonstration lessons in Japan is to "extend a good opportunity for students to be aware how fun learning of a foreign language is and that it will trigger their interest in English.” Wow, what a challenge! With this in mind, I anxiously created a lesson.

As we entered Hamakawa Junior High School, I was distracted from my worries by simple differences between Japanese and American schools. First, there were the slippers. As we entered the school, we each found our name and an origami crane on a cubby with a pair of red slippers to wear on campus. Next, we toured the school. One of the most interesting differences was the teachers' work room. Instead of staying in their rooms and working alone, these teachers had a common room for their work which must really encourage collaboration. It was also fascinating to see that the vice principal's desk was in the same room with the teachers.

Eventually, it was lesson time. After a brief introduction by the teacher, I was on my own. I launched into my lesson, and was met with utter silence. After moving from Plan A to Plan B and even Plan C, I learned quite a few things. For instance, American teachers rely on constant casual assessment as a lesson moves along. In this class though, the children were extremely reluctant to answer questions or participate in the activities, even "fun" ones. I felt lost without the instant feedback I am used to.

However, over the course of the hour, a few other things emerged. I realized that they were creative and willing to share privately with me. When I turned to an individual drawing activity, things improved immediately. I asked them to draw a picture for each preposition. This allowed the students to produce work that showed me how much they understood the lesson in a non-threatening way.

Suddenly, the personalities of the children began to emerge. There were the shy ones, the boisterous ones, the pleasers, and the ones who needed constant prodding to get their work done. I had my feedback letting me know when they were ready for the worksheet, and I also had the chance to speak (or hand signal) to individual students about their work. I had found a way to reach them. This drawing activity would also work in the U.S., and I will continue to use these types of activities with my Japanese students who are adjusting to American schools.

As I think back on that lesson, I realize that instead of getting the students interested in learning English, I had gotten interested in learning about them. The lesson gave me a tantalizing opportunity to work with a group of delightful children.

"Treasure every encounter, because it will never reoccur." This Japanese proverb has haunted me ever since I was first introduced to it at our farewell luncheon. Truly, my encounter with Japan has become a treasure within my heart. Each facet of my experience shines with a brilliance indescribable and priceless.

Encountering Education: After being introduced to the history and culture, it was only appropriate that my first authentic encounter with Japan was through the eyes of the children at Tachiai Elementary School in Shinagawa. It was my great honor to learn from these children and their devoted teachers while sharing a glimpse of American education through my lesson.

Encountering Beauty: Beauty abounds throughout Japan and is reflected in everything they create. For me, this beauty was most evident through the artistry of the richly woven kimonos. I was delighted to experience the intersection of Japan's past and present and, for a brief few moments, find myself wrapped in the silken kimonos that have come to reflect the seasonal beauty of Japan.

Encountering Culture: While tourists may boast of visiting temples, shrines, monuments and museums, none can fully appreciate these buildings without the human connection that makes them come alive. We were blessed to learn from the High Priest of Todaiji Temple, president of NIEVA, the school principal, the CEO of Calbee Foods and Hiroshima survivor, Buddhist Monks, my gracious host family and the staff and volunteers with JETRO. These are just a few of the many personal encounters that enlarged my view and appreciation for Japanese culture.

Encountering Friendship: From the moment we arrived in Japan, the gracious hospitality of our hosts welcomed us into their hearts. Courtesy and kindness quickly melted any apprehension that may have existed, while generosity and thoughtfulness became the currency we exchanged. My life has been enriched with the honor of counting these dear ones as my new friends.

Encountering Love: In summary, experiencing Japan meant falling in love. While I long to, once again, awaken to the sights and sounds of Japan, it is the memory of these treasured encounters that my heart will hold safely until I can one day return.

My trip to Japan was an incredible experience! I was filled with the excitement and joy to finally visit the homeland of my grandparents. The Japanese people are so kind, thoughtful and helpful.

Visiting the Tachiai Elementary School was very interesting. I was surprised that the teachers do not have a break from their students and that class size can go up to 40 students! A nutritious meal is cooked at the school and served by students dressed in white (chef's hats included!). At the end of the day all the students help clean the classroom. The school has lots of parent volunteers. I was surprised that some of the parents and teachers played in the band with the students. Displays of student work were evident in every hallway we went through. One could feel a sense of community within the school.

The entire trip was full of wonderful cultural experiences. It was fun to dress up in the beautiful (and expensive) kimonos and to meet the owner, Mrs. Koizumi. Eating the Japanese foods was a culinary delight for me. Totemo oishi desu! The home stay with my host family, Dr. and Mrs. Oyamada was most enjoyable.

The Hiroshima Peace Museum was an unforgettable experience for me. Seeing the pictures of the devastation that took place and reading the stories accompanying the burnt objects on display was very moving. It was an honor to meet Mr. Koji Matsuo, Hiroshima survivor and former chairman of the Calbee Food Company, and to listen to his recollection of that fateful day. Hiroshima is the birthplace of my grandparents and my husband's family.

In their everyday life one can see how the Japanese people pay attention to details in making public life more comfortable. Public restrooms were always clean and in good condition. People picked up trash they dropped. Recycle bins were often near the trash cans. It is evident that the Japanese people take pride in their country and environment.

I am most grateful to the JBA for giving me the opportunity to visit and learn more about the Japanese culture. This is an experience I shall never forget. Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Japan is a wonderful country and the people are truly warm and friendly. The educational experience is more than you could ever receive from a movie or book. I felt very comfortable and enjoyed the rich history and culture of the Japanese people. Everything was taken care of down to the fine details. We were never without their support even in times of emergencies.

What impressed me the most were the people we met. The schools might have a different format than the United States but the students were the same as they are in the States. The students behaved no different than students in the U.S. and the teaching and learning process were very similar. I saw individual personalities and similarities in students here and in the States. I got to walk through the busy business area of Tokyo which is similar to many major cities and experience the night life of the young people in Shibuya. What I saw is that no matter what the culture, the generations of people are similar to every population of people. What I observed and found comforting in this culture was a quiet sensitivity to each other and a mutual respect. This was very apparent in our visit to Hiroshima.

When I talked to other educators on our trip, everyone's home visit was different. This is just like it would be if you came to the United States to visit. It really depends on the people, you are staying with and the area you are visiting. Akita is very similar to Northern California and the people are very friendly. Mr. and Mrs. Ito, my host family, were more than hospitable. They went out of their way to give me a rich experience of Japanese traditions and knowledge of the Akita Prefecture: from the formal welcome at Katagami City, a formal tea ceremony in their home, a traditional kimono wearing at dinner, a visit to a temple where friends live, a drive up the Akita coast, and a visit to the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum. But the best experience was dinner at the Ito's home with their family and singing traditional songs. This truly is a trip about the people of Japan. I am deeply appreciative to have been selected to go. I hope to share this rich experience. We are truly one civilization living on this earth; respecting people as individuals and embracing their cultures.

This was my first trip alone away from my husband and children and certainly the farthest I have ever traveled. Everything I did and saw was so amazing. It didn’t take me very long to fall in love with such a beautiful country and her gracious and kind people.

I traveled on the bullet train to Akita and stayed with a lovely host family in Katagami City. The family was more than welcoming and so gracious and kind to me. They planned a fun and educational day of sight-seeing which included the Namahage museum, a flower-arranging lesson, tea, a cooking club lunch at the community center with lovely neighbors and friends, a trip to the sea of Japan and dinner at an Izakaya style restaurant with entertainment, great food and karaoke singing. When it was time to say goodbye to them at the train station, I felt very emotional to leave my new "family".

We went to Hiroshima for the day and this was a very profound experience for me. The museum showed many very graphic exhibits which was very upsetting to see, but then when we went outside to the park, everything was so quiet and peaceful. I got a chance to make some paper cranes and we left them near the statue of Sadako. I had read a book about her when I was 10 years old and have never forgotten her story. To be able to go to Hiroshima and see the memorial to her and all the colorful paper cranes left by countless school children over the years gave me a sense of closure for the day.

When we returned to Tokyo at the end of the trip I got a chance to visit with a former student of mine. The family traveled an hour and a half by train to see me and we had a very relaxing dinner.

I have never been treated so much like a VIP as I was during those two weeks. The respect towards teachers was very nice to experience there. I learned a lot about what it is like to travel in a foreign country where you don't speak the language or understand all the customs. I am very grateful to JBA for giving me such a phenomenal opportunity to learn and experience new things. Arigato Gozimasu.

The whole experience of the program has been one of the most rewarding learning experiences of my life. What I have seen, learned, and experienced in this trip has changed me forever.

It is difficult to choose the highlights of my trip since every day was filled with heartwarming memories. The itinerary was strategically planned so that all the participants would get a well rounded experience of the Japan and its beautiful culture. The entire staff, including all of the volunteers, was so wonderful! They were welcoming, hospitable, and made us feel special. I think that the way we were treated on this trip, was the greatest experience of all. Everywhere we went, there was always someone there to greet us, and welcome us, guide us, care for us, help us, and make us feel special. It is fair to say that we received the "royal treatment" throughout our two week stay in Japan. I didn't only get respect, I received unconditional hospitality , kindness, and friendship from everyone.

I am also grateful that my husband was able to accompany me on this trip because it was such a "life changing" experience for both of us. It is great that the program allows spouses to go on the trip because in my experience, my husband is a great "behind-the scenes" support for me as a teacher. Involving him in my career is important and this trip has opened up a whole new world for him as my supporter. During the lesson demonstration at Taiachiai Elementary, he was involved in my lesson and loved it. He had the opportunity to experience first hand how wonderful it is to make a difference in people's lives, one day at a time.

I am anxious to tell everyone about my trip and what I have learned, in hopes that they too will learn something from my experience. I am prepared to reflect on my experiences while writing lesson plans, in order to become a better teacher. I will find a way to incorporate the "life lessons" that I learned on this trip, into my classroom. I think this is important because my students are like little sponges waiting to soak up the world. I learned that the Japanese culture is an exemplary society and that a lot of it is taught in the classroom when the children are small. It makes perfect sense. I hope to be able to teach my students some of the important values I have learned through this experience and begin the process creating a "better America".