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July 14, 2002 |
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Getting ready for a day of adventure!
You may be wondering how emailing NP:J participants work. Three laptops are set up in a seminar room where everyone can check their npjapan.org accounts and type replies. NP:J staff then take the laptops back to their rooms and connect via phone line to download these replies. |
Weekend in Tokyo! Saturday and Sunday, July 13th and 14th This weekend, the students and teachers participating in the July tour of New Perspectives: Japan began their exploration of Tokyo and the surrounding region (Kanto). We have customarily referred to this time as the moment when participants "step out of the classroom and into the culture" of Japan. The options for encountering old and new Japanese culture are limitless here. Students and teachers can walk next door to a shrine dedicated to the Meiji emperor (late 19th century emperor) or take a twenty-five minute walk to the trendiest stores of youth fashion in Harajuku. Others explored further afield and went to Kamakura to see the Great Buddha (very large outdoor bronze statue) and ancient temples. Some thrilled to see the huge variety of modern goods and also reveled in seeing the traditional crafts. Some went to the top of the Tokyo Tower, and other rode on the biggest ferris wheel in the world. The participants used every possible moment for their explorations. But the consensus was that there was much more to see. A return trip to Tokyo will just have to be made. Family and friends, are you game? You now have a tour guide! While the study tour is only in its early stages, we are begining to see young people becoming more confident in their ability to communicate, more willing to explore the new and unfamiliar, more mature in the face of each day's unique learning challenges. These past two days probably feel like two weeks -- filled with so many new sights, sounds, and tastes. Oh, and participants have experienced an earthquake! This caused much excitement. In reality, there are many earthquakes in Japan daily. They are just too tiny for anyone to feel. Tonight, Sunday night, all the teachers and students returned from their second study day in order to convene as a group to discuss homestays, host families, and departure procedures. On Monday, July 15th, we depart from the National Youth Olympic Center for various cities and communities in Japan. From Fukuoka on the southern island of Kyushu to the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo to the bit cooler climes of Sendai in northern Japan, students and teachers will be experiencing the authentic day-to-day life in their new role as a member of their Japanese family. A few students are nervous. We wish them well! We will be posting the next issue of our NP:J newsletter on July 24th, when the NP:J group regathers at the Rihga Royal Hotel in Kyoto. Thank you for your continued support and for making it possible for your loved ones to experience this unique learning opportunity! Until the 24th, sayonara! |
On the subway...it's a bit snug.
Coming out of a subway station...by the way, what's
5041?