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June 22, 2002 |
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The First Week On Monday, each of the eight NP:J school groups left the Rihga Royal Hotel in Kyoto for their host schools and families. This year, the communities are concentrated in five areas. One school, Centennial High School from Boise, traveled the farthest to the small town of Oita on the Southern island of Kyushu. The shortest journey was taken by our participants from The Barstow School in Kansas City, who took a relatively quick trip from Kyoto to the city next-door, Osaka. Southwest High of Minneapolis took the Shinkansen through Tokyo and four hours beyond it to Iwate, in the Northern part of the island of Honshu. Saint Margaret's from San Juan Capistrano took the train to Nagoya. All other schools took the Shinkansen Northeast to the greater metropolitan area of Tokyo. The Shinkansen, familiarly known as the "bullet train," can reach speeds of 150 miles per hour, making it the second-fastest train on earth. The students thoroughly enjoy this travel experience, as it affords them the opportunity to travel in comfort while watching the beautiful scenery of Japan. The route from Kyoto to Tokyo provides views of traditional Japanese villages, as well as farms and forests, and at times the train hugs the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, the weather was rather cloudy and Mount Fuji was not visible on Monday. Upon arriving at Kyoto "eki" (train station), many of the students and teachers purchased "bento" (boxed lunches) for the train ride. Most school groups were met by representatives from their host schools at their final train platforms. From there, they were led to their host schools. Some traveled by foot, others by car or bus. Monday, June 17th was, perhaps, the most exciting day thus far for the NP:J participants. In addition to all of the details involved with moving from one location (Kyoto) to another (their host community), this is the day the students met their host families! It can be a bit stressful, as well as exhilarating. Students busied themselves with memorizing their self-introductions in Japanese, and many could be seen in the lobby of the hotel memorizing key phrases that would prove useful when they communicate with their host families. "Tadaima, okaasan!" (I'm home, mom!) "Oishikata!" (That was delicious.) And, believe it or not---this may be too hard for some parents to believe---we overheard a student practicing the phrase: "Katazuke o tetsudai mashouka?" (Can I help you with the dishes?) While each group experiences a slightly different reception at their host school and community, the experience of Saint Margaret's Episcopal School is fairly typical. Randall-sensei and her students were met at the Nagoyo eki platform by the Director of the International program at Yatomi High School, Mr. Kenji Nagahara, and two of his students, Kondo-san and Ito-san. A thirty-minute bus ride from the train station led to their arrival at Yatomi High in Aichi, Japan. The students were brought to a teacher's conference room where refreshments were served. While the students relaxed, Randall-sensei was introduced to the Principal, Mr. Kayoh Shigeyoshi. Mrs. Randall presented the Principal with "omiyage" (gifts), and she and her students were officially welcomed to Yatomi High School. The school was abuzz with excitement. The students from Saint Margaret's were frequently approached by Japanese students eager to meet their newfound friends. The students quickly overcame their mutual nervousness and began to introduce themselves (the Saint Margaret's students in Japanese, the Yatomi students in English) more fluidly with each passing encounter. Meanwhile, the host families were beginning to arrive at the conference room. All of the host families were either parents of Yatomi High School students or teachers at the school. Once all of the host families arrived, they were introduced to their American host "children." Applause rang out as each introduction was made, and everyone seemed relieved to have finally broken the ice. Nagahara-sensei reviewed the schedule for the next week. Our NP:J participants were thrilled to learn that they were going to experience a very exciting schedule. In addition to "shadowing" their host sibling during daily classes, they learned that they would also be enjoying a welcoming reception while watching Japan compete in the World Cup Soccer Tournament, as well as a shopping outing, archery practice, kendo club, and a trip to an amusement park to ride the "jetto kosuta" (the jet coaster or roller coaster). Teachers began to report in to the NP:J staff to let us know that everyone has adjusted well to their new homes away from home, and that the schools and host families were treating them like royalty. One student from the Shawnee Mission Center for International Studies in Kansas City, Baron Daugherty, let us know that his host family experience was outstanding: "My host dad cooked Kansas steaks for me! Kansas steaks! They (the family) have been really generous with me." So, all is well in Japan. The NP:J students are safe and sound and having a wonderful time learning about the day-to-day lives of their peers. We'll be posting our final two issues of the NP:J newsletter next Wednesday, June 26th and Thursday, June 27th, when all of the participants gather together again in Tokyo at the Olympic Village. Until then..."ja, matta!" (See you later!)
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Kyoto station is a very busy place. Throughout the day,
thousands of Japanese students were seen in transit on school field trips. Here's
a group of elementary students waiting to catch their train.
Hungry? Then you might want to try eating a Japanese boxed lunch, called
a "bento." This NP:J student spent about 1,000 yen (approximately eight
dollars) on his meal.
Some of the Southwest students use the time between trains
to catch a quick snack, while one of the students catches up on her journal. Many
NP:J students keep a journal to record the cultural and language lessons they learn.
Do you see the gray "L" shape on the platform?
That's the boarding line for the Shinkansen. The doors to the train open directly
in front of this "L" and are open for 1 minute, so NP:J students are told
to get on board quickly. The trains in Japan are incredibly precise and they always
run on time. If you take too long to board, the train will leave without you!