July 17, 2004

Yukie-sensei escorts students to different classes every day at Senshudaigaku Kitakami High School.

Japanese teachers of English love having NP:J students model English pronunciation for their students!

Peace! I hope she shares her orange goggles with me!

Let's practive kanji recognition by reading today's newspaper. Students need to learn approximately 2,000 kanji characters to be able to read a newspaper!

The students are njoying a special smorgasbord style lunch, called a "Viking" restaurant in Japan.

The kouchou-sensei (principal) of Senshudaigaku Kitakami High School poses with his colleagues. They are standing next to pennants won by their school baseball team. They are highly-ranked in the national tournament currently underway! Ganbatte! (Good luck!)

School's Out! Kyoto's In!

This is the part of the NP:J Study Tour that simultaneously generates feelings of sadness and happiness. On Saturday morning, July 17th, the NP:J participants bid their host families and schools a fond farewell. Tearful goodbyes on train platforms, farewell ceremonies at host schools, promises exchanged to keep in touch and visit again.

It's amazing and gratifying that the NP:J students can develop such strong ties with their host families in only 8 days. It helped that everyone was on their best behavior. The students took our advice about being good ambassadors to heart! We reminded the students of several simple Japanese phrases to help them become welcome additions to their households, including:

• "Tetsudai masho ka?" (May I help?)

• "Ofuro ni haite mo ii desu ka?" (Is it okay if I take a bath/shower?)

• "Sentaku o shitemo ii desu ka?" (Is it okay for me to do my laundry?)

We're sure every NP:J parent back in the states can appreciate a son or a daughter offering to help with daily chores! "Sugoi desu, ne?" (Isn't it great!?) In addition to making new friends, the NP:J students also had a week of total immersion in learning about Japan's culture, and they gained valuable experience in communicating in Japanese!

A couple of young ladies from the Charlotte group asked the TLI staff if they could dye their hair black and get issued new visa's—as Japanese citizens! One student offered to "lose" her return ticket, just so she could stay with her host family longer. Clearly, they are enjoying the hospitality of Japan!

Everyone spent two or more hours traveling by the Shinkansen—the high speed "bullet" train—to Kyoto. Our NP:J hotel, the Rihga Royal, is a brief 7-minute walk from Kyoto train station. Most of the schools checked in by 3 p.m. and were soon thereafter exploring the ancient city of Kyoto!

Unlike other major japanese cities, Kyoto was spared widespread destruction by bombing during WWII. As a result, Kyoto is home to temples, shrines, gardens and works of art that are several hundred years old. It's easy to see that Kyoto is much closer to Japan's traditional past. Yes, Western influences exist here, inlcuding the ubiquitous Makudonarudo's (McDonald's), but Kyoto is filled with art, architecture and traditions that capture the essence of Japan's past.

By the way, the students have a BIT MORE lugggage then they did when they arrived. Could this be due to omiyage (gifts) they received from their host families, of have they been infected with "shopping flu?"

So, two days remain to experience Kyoto! Everyone is well-rested and in good spirits and energized tom make the most fo Sunday and Monday. We'll post our final issue of the NP:J newsletter on July 20th to share some stories about everyone's exploration of Kyoto!

Another note about e-mails to the parents, family and friends of the NP:J students. we have let everyone know that they need to check their e-mails, and we are also encouraging them to respond. Please know that your e-mails are getting through to the students and teachers. If they haven't responded yet, it is very likely due to the fact that they are really busy exploring Japan, practicing their japanese, and learning about Japanese culture. We had our computer room open on Saturday evening, and it will be open again on Sunday and Monday evening, as well. Tuesday, you may recall, is the day everyone departs from Japan for their return flights to the U.S.

Until our next issue comes out on the 20th, please take care and stay cool! It was 36 degrees centigrade in Kyoto today!

Mushi atsui!!! (hot and sticky!)