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June 25, 2003

Worman-sensei and her students (and husband!) are waiting at Sangubashi "eki" (station) for the train to Shinjuku. Several of the NP:J students purchased "katana," ceremonial swords. These are packed and ready to be checked on to a flight out of Haneda Airport. The NP:J group from Bluffton high School posed in specially-designed t-shirts that mark the event of this year's exchange. Later today, the group arrived at their host school. From left to right, this shot captures two of the TLI staff who help organize and run NP:J, Chieko Shida and Sueko Kondo. Here, Chieko and Sueko have almost completed checking all of the NP:J students out of their dormitory at the Olympic Village! "Otsukaresamadeshita!" (Whew! Another work day is done!) Ikeno-sensei and Borstad-sensei gether their students from Menomonee Falls for a final group photo before leaving the Olympic Village. Later today, they arrived on Shikoku Island for their homestays!

Moving on to the Homestay Sunday, June 22nd was a particularly busy day for NP:J students and teachers. This was our last full day and evening in Tokyo, so everyone was eager to see as much of Tokyo as possible. All the students are "genki" (in an upbeat mood). An occasional foot blister has appeared, and some of the students are amazed at how hot and humid Japan is! While America might be the land of the automobile, Japan is a country that prides itself on having a terrific train and bus system -- and we do a great deal of WALKING! As many of our friends in Japan say, "karada ni ii" or, this is healthy for us! Also, we have been very lucky with the weather in Tokyo. While you can't deny the heat and the humidity, it has been bright and sunny since our arrival. Given that this is the rainy season in Japan, we are all thankful the monsoons haven't struck! On Sunday night, a gentle rain fell. Consequently, the temperature was quite nice on Sunday evening and Monday morning -- wonderful weather for traveling from Tokyo to the various host schools! The last full day in Tokyo was spent exloring various neighborhoods, temples, "depaato" (department stores), museums, and sites of historic and cultural significance in the city. Of course, this also involves using one's Japanese speaking and listening skills as one navigates the transportation sytem. Two very popular cultural activities during NP:J, year in and year out? Eating and shopping! Thus far, the NP:J students have done an excellent job of avoiding American fast food chain stores like "Makudonarudo" (McDonald's). We're very happy to hear students say: "I didn't travel thousands of miles to eat at Wendy's!" Instead, students are sampling sushi, ramen, yakisoba, tonkatsu, tempura and other delicious Japanese cuisine. This week, they'll be getting the "home cooked" versions of these meals prepared by their host families. At a homestay orientation session, we reminded the students that they are ambassadors from the U.S.A., and we hope they'll be on their best behavior with their host families -- this can mean, among other activities, volunteering to help wash dishes after dinner! As for shopping, each year we are amazed to see what will become the popular souvenirs to purchase. As always, "katana" (ceremonial swords) are quite popular among the NP:J lads. Many of the young ladies this year are purchasing "makura" (pillows) that look like stuffed animals! We remind the students that they stlll have ten days left on the study tour and they have to carry their purchases for the duration of the trip -- so, maybe, it would be better to save some purchases until later in the trip? Right? Wrong! They will not to be swayed from their appointed shopping rounds! Neither rain, nor sleet, nor Japanese heat... Monday morning, each of the four school groups left the Olympic Village and began their separate journeys to their host schools and families. Their destinations are quite diverse and far-flung. Bluffton High School from Indiana traveled by "Shinkansen" (the high speed bullet train) to Hyogo, located near Kobe and Osaka. Cape Henry Collegiate School, from Virginia, flew from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima, a city that claims to cook the finest "okonomiyaki" in Japan. Menomonee Falls High School, from Wisconsin, also flew from Haneda Airport to their destination, Ehime, a town located on the beautiful island of Shikoku. Lastly, Milwaukie High School, from Oregon, started their day with a visit to the "Disney Sea" (yep, that's the Disney you are thinking of!) and took a local express train to Gunma, an hour or so north of Tokyo. While schedules vary from school to school, most of the NP:J students arrived at their host schools on Monday afternoon. Upon arrival, they were introduced to the principal of their school, as well as to the local student representatives of the English Club and other teachers who outlined their class schedule for the ensuing week. Again, the types of classroom schedules and extra-curricular activities will vary, but everyone will have ample opportunity to participate in all the typical activities associated with a normal school week in Japan. Equally as important, the students will experience a true cultural and language immersion experience with a Japanese family while making new life-long friends. In the pages that follow, you'll see some images from the first day of the Cape Henry groups visit with Funairi High School in Hiroshima. Everyone will spend a total of eight days and nights with their host families, and reconverge in Kyoto at the Rihga Royal Hotel on Tuesday, July 1. We'll be back in touch with you then. As a closing reminder, NP:J students will not have access to the TLI computer room until we meet again in Kyoto the evening of July 1. Thanks, again, for checking in with us and for supporting NP:J! Sayonara!