Japan - East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths

First Batch oｆ Students from India

Implementation Reports 【rev.】

(9th December, 2008 - 18th December, 2008)

Febuary, 2009

Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE)

Outline of the First Batch of Students from India

1. Duration of visit in Japan

From 9th December to 18th December 2008

2. Total number of Indian delegation membership: 80 Students： 72（34 Males, 38 Females) Supervisors: 8 （8 Teachers)

3. States and union territories the students come from

18 states and 1 union territory

Breakdown

States/ Union territory

No. of students

States/ Union territory

No. of students

Assam 4 Kerala 2 Andhra Pradesh 1 Maharashtra 7 Chhattisgarh 2 Manipur 2 Delhi 10 Orissa 2 Goa 1 Rajasthan 7 Haryana 1 Tamil Nadu 6 Himachal Pradesh 1 Uttar Pradesh 4 Jammu and Kashmir 1 Uttarakhand 2

Jharkhand 2 West Bengal 10 Karnataka 7

5. Programme schedule in Japan

See the next page 6. Visited prefectures in Japan

Tokyo, Nagano, Osaka, Kyoto, Okayama, and Kumamoto

7. Total number of households participated in the home stay programme 63 households Nagano: 18 Osaka: 18 Okayama:18 Kumamoto:9

8. Total number of schools participated in the exchange programmes

5 schools Nagano: Nagano-Nishi High School Osaka: Otemae Senior High School Kyoto: Joyo Senior High School Okayama: Kurashiki-Amagi High School Kumamoto: Shinwa Senior High School

GroupName Nagano Osaka/Kyoto Okayama KumamotoYouth 20 (M:9/F:9) 20 (M:8/F:10) 20 (M:8/F:10) 20 (M:9/F:9)

PM

AM

PM

AM Move to Nagano Move to Shin-Osaka Fly to Okayama Fly to Kumamoto

PM

Courtessy call on NaganoPrefectural Govt. OfficeVisit Disaster Prevention CenterVisit Zenkoji Temple

Visit Osaka Sewage ScienceMuseumCommercial Facility

Visit Mitsubishi AutomobileVisit Mt. Washu

Courtessy call on KumamotoInternational FoundationExperience of Japanese Culture(Kadomatsu making)

AM Visit Osaka-jo Castle

PM

Exchange Programme at OtemaeHigh SchoolMeeting with homestay hostfamilies

AM Homestay Homestay Homestay Visit Kumamoto-jo Catsle

PM Homestay Farewell Party HomestayMeeting with homestay hostfamilies

AM

Back from HomestayObservation of World Cup（MWave)

Move to KyotoExperience of Japanese Culture（Yuzen Dyeing）Visit Sanju-Sangendo Temple

Homestay Homestay

PM

Observation of World Cup（MWave)Farewell Party

Visit Toji TempleVisit Kyoto City DisasterPrevention CenterVisit Kyoto Station Building

Farewell Party Farewell Party

AMVisit HOKUTO CorporationMove to Matsumoto

Exchange Programme at JoyoHigh School

Visit Seto-Ohashi BridgeExperience of Japanese Culture（Takata Orimono）

Exchange Programme at ShinwaHigh School

PM WorkshopExchange Programme at JoyoHigh SchoolWorkshop

WorkshopExchange Programme at ShinwaHigh SchoolWorkshop

AM Move to Yokyo Move to Tokyo Move to Tokyo Fly to Tokyo

PM

AM

PM

10 18-Dec AM

　

Programme for Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths1st Batch of Students from India (2008)

Move to Narita / Departure from Narita to Deli

Visit Ecobo Minamata (TanakaShoten Co., Ltd.)Visit Minamata Disease MunicipalMuseum

Observation of "Imperial Palace Outer Garden" and group photo with a backdrop of Nijubashi Bridge

Workshop Presentation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Explore AsakusaPreparation for Farewell Dinner PartyQuestionnaire / Return BriefingFarewell Dinner Party

Exchange Programme at NaganoNishi Senior High SchoolMeeting with Homestay HostFamilies

1

2

11-Dec

4 12-Dec

10-Dec

7 15-Dec

Sun

Mon

Exchange Programme at KurashikiAnagi Senior High SchoolCourtesy call on Mayor ofKurashikiMeeting with homestay hostfamilies

9 Wed

8 16-Dec Tue

17-Dec

Visit Observation visit to Panasonic CenterVisit Toyota Mega Web

6 14-Dec

AM

Observation visit to Edo-Tokyo MuseumObservation visit to Ariake Incineration Plant (waste disposal plant)Dinner at a restaurant

General Orientation and Group OrientationCheck in (students only)Orientation for supervisors

Lecture : About Japan (Prof. Paul Snowden, Waseda Universty)

Arrival at Narita from New DelhiMove to Tokyo

Date

3

Fri

Sat

Wed

Thu

9-Dec Tue

5 13-Dec

General Orientation (Tired and sleepy a little...)

JENESYS Programme

First Batch Students from India

～Photo Book 1 General Programme ～

Ariake Incineration Plant (Waste Disposal Plant) Panasonic Center Tokyo ( “Fantastic !” )

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (With the ministry officials)

Workshop report presentation (At the end of the ten days in Japan,)

Edo-Tokyo Museum (Learning about sound material cycle)

Let’s get going by Bullet Train! At school ～ India is ～

JENESYS Programme

First Batch Students from India

～Photo Book 2 : Nagano Group～

At School ～ “Oyaki” making ～

Workshop (pasting post-its)

At School ～ ya, ya, and then? ～

Nagano

Home Stay ～ in Kimonos ～

Osaka Sewage Science Museum Osaka Castle

JENESYS Programme

First Batch Students from India

～Photo Book 3 : Osaka/Kyoto Group～

Traditional culture ～ Yuzen Dyeing ～

Workshop (Tell me your findings.)

At school ～ Yoga lesson ～

Farewell party with host families (fun! fun! fun!)

Kyoto

Osaka

Facility Observation ～ Seto-Ohashi Bridge ～

JENESYS Programme

First Batch Students from India

～Photo Book 3 : Okayama Group～

Traditional culture ～miniature tatami mat making ～

Farewell Party with host families

At school ～ Paper folding ～

At school ～ Lunch together ～

Okayama

Courtesy Call on Mayor of Kurashiki

JENESYS Programme

First Batch Students from India

～Photo Book 4 : Kumamoto Group～

Kumamoto Castle Environment Study in Minamata City

Traditional culture ～ Japanese sweet makin

g ～

“Nice to meet you.!” (With host family)

At school ～ Kendo practice～

Workshop facilitation

Kumamoto

Workshop, Pre-Programme Questionnaire, Post-Programme

Questionnaire

The outcome of the programme is examined and confirmed by two different

ways, Questionnaires (Pre-Programme Questionnaire and Post-Programme

Questionnaire) and Workshop.

Workshop

Workshop is conducted at the end of Group Programme in each prefecture. All

the students are advised to keep daily findings on (1) people (2) things and (3)

others. Reflecting on their experiences, they review their daily findings for the

Workshop. At the workshop, they share and discuss their findings with other

group members. After the workshop, the discussion is summarized in a

workshop report and presented at a workshop presentation.

There are 3 objectives of the workshop;

(1) To make the students clearly recognize their findings by putting them into

words and sharing them with other students of the group.

(2) To deepen their understandings by discussing the backgrounds, comparing

them with those in their own country, and thinking how they can be adopted.

(3) To summarize the discussion and the conclusion in a workshop report of the

group.

All the workshop reports and some comments of the students from the

Post-Programme Questionnaire are shown in the following pages.

Workshop Report

Date：15th December, 2008 Group： Nagano Group

I. Findings about Japan

（Category：People）

・Disciplined

・Patriotic

・Streamed Class (Track system in education)

・Traditional

・Hygienic

・Organized

・Robotic lifestyle

・Language problem

（Category：Things）

・Planned architecture

・Disaster resistant construction

・Eco-friendly policy in industries

・Systematic city planning

・Futuristic needs considered

（Category：Others）

・Anime popular

・Safe society

・Low crime rate

・No class bias

II. Details of Discussion（Topic：People/Disciplined）

・People follow the traffic rules very strictly.

・They don’t smoke in the public and don’t even litter on the streets.

・They live a very time-bound and systematic life.

・They observe personal and public hygiene.

III. Conclusion

Japan presents the best combination of facilities in terms of disaster resistant construction

and safety in the society. People here treat tradition like religion and are really disciplined.

Eco-friendly policies of Japan take it to greater heights. Less knowledge of English remains

a negative point, but is surely overcome by other positive characteristics.

Workshop Report

Date：15th December, 2008 Group：Osaka / Kyoto Group

I. Findings about Japan

（Category: People ）

・ Perfectionists & Professional

・ Live life to the fullest

（Category: Things ）

・ Advanced & well-equipped infrastructure for the environment-conscious

（Category : Others）

・ High standard of living

・ Integrated education system

・ Robotic lifestyle

II. Details of Discussion

People: Polite, honest, professional, punctual, embrace all religions, festive spirit, kind &

hospitable.

Things: Convenient, easy to use devices, reduce, reuse & recycle, 100% recycling, efficient

transport.

Others: All sports & non-academics integrated into education.

Robotic life

III. Conclusion

Japan, which has always been known as the world’s most technologically advanced nation,

has used this knowledge to bounce back after 1945 by creating a world-class and

people-friendly and most convenient infrastructure in a very innovative manner.

We observed that an average Japanese person has a very good purchasing power. But one

thing we felt was that with fast-paced life based on plans that always have a positive outcome,

maybe the people themselves were living too much of a robotic lifestyle.

There is so much to learn from Japanese society that is worth incorporating into our lives.

Workshop Report

Date: 15th December, 2008 Group： Okayama Group

I. Findings about Japan

（Category：People ）

*Characteristics and culture and etc;

Hardworking. Generous. Affectionate. Creative. Eco-friendly. Diligent. Vivacious.

Disciplined. Caring. Focused. Effective. Punctual and Cooperative.

（Category: Things）

*Economy. Technology. Infrastructure and etc;

Technologically advanced. Capital intensive economy. Developed infrastructure. High

standard of living. Believe in economic development. Sustainable development.

（Category: Home stay）

Loving. Caring. Affectionate. Emotional. Willing to share information about India.

Interactive.

（Category: Society and Education）

Believe in Social harmony. No gender issues. Change in their educational system. Well

graded educational system. Use of modern aids.

II. Details of Discussion

・ Country and its topography

・ Infrastructure- Social, economical, political and educational

・ Society- Beliefs and traditions

・ Sports and recreational activities

・ Technological advancement

・ Historical perspective

・ Similarities and Dissimilarities between India and Japan

・ JENESYS program and its outcomes

III. Conclusion

Japan, the beautiful island country called “The Land of Rising Sun” has world’s 2nd largest

economy with high technology. The people not only welcome the western culture but also

remain firmly attached to their traditions. Japan believes in world peace and gives high

regard to international culture and knowledge exchange. In a nutshell, Japan is an amalgam

of technology and culture.

Workshop Report

Date：15th December, 2008 Group：Kumamoto Group

I. Findings about Japan

（Category：People）

patient, calm, tolerant, peaceful, fashionable, warm-hearted/caring (host families),

shy/humble, punctual (aircraft, JENESYS), trustworthy, friendly, responsible to society,

polite, well-mannered, socially intelligent, secular, non-religious, poor English,

Kawaii (cute)

（Category：Country）

clean, safe, socially conscious, peaceful, expensive, beautiful, organized (JENESYS),

rich cultural heritage, friendly in terms of international cooperation (the JENESYS

initiative)

（Category：Structure）

・ Transport system (good layout, good roads, no horns, no stray animals)

・ Waste disposal (efficient, eco-friendly)

・ Infrastructure/architecture (good maintenance, illuminated well)

・ Communication (good network, JENESYS programme: well organised event)

・ Education (good, no spoken English)

・ Law and order (effective, implemented)

・ Health conscious (disease protection, organic food, exercise, hardly no obesity)

・ Environmental consciousness (fuel efficiency, recycling)

II. Details of Discussion

Discussed the above topics.

III. Conclusion

Japan as a people, as a country and a structure was a brand new experience that will live

forever in our minds. The workshop helped us discuss different aspect of the country and

opened our eyes to all our points and views. We are highly thankful to JENESYS and JICE

for this initiative which exposed us to new Japanese culture and gave us a hands-on

experience of the people and infrastructure. Clean, friendly, conscious (in all senses of the

term) and humble- these, among others, were the keywords that unanimously described

Japan. Along with highly developed technology, and sanitary system, the high school

experience and the wonderful hospitality of our host families will be remembered by us. I

represent the group when I say we loved Japan and hope and wish to visit again.

Indian Students’ Comments

＜Nagano Group＞

I loved the stay in Japan – Tokyo and Nagano. I will miss this very much

when I go back to my country. This programme gave me a chance to

learn about Japan and its tradition and the lifestyle of the people. It also

enabled me to make friends – both Indian and Japanese. This has

broadened my horizon and I am sure I will never forget this. Thank you

JICE !!! The home-stay experience and exchange programmes were the

best. I also loved the visits to the Japanese temples and historical sites

and sports World Cup.

This programme was excellently organized. I experienced Japanese

culture very well. I came to know many things about Japan. The

exchange with the host family and the high school students was

awesome. I really want to come to Japan again and I want all my family

and friends to come and enjoy Japan’s awesome beauty. The

coordinators and supervisors were also very good and interactive. The

trip was so good. There was no uncomfortable moment.

This programme was very well conducted. It was very systematic and a

lot of fun, too.

The Japanese coordinators were very friendly and helpful. This

programme was an excellent way to know Japan and its people. I truly

loved this programme and I made many friends, too

Japan is a wonderful country and I would love to work here in the future.

The programme was fruitful and neatly organized. I am happy I was a

part of this programme. Japanese people are very polite and social.

Their honesty amazes me. The JICE coordinators were very cordially

and took great care of us. The difference between my country and Japan

that is the difference between a developing and a developed country is

clearly visible. The warmth of the host family and the atmosphere was

excellent. Thank you very much for such a wonderful study tour.

Being given an opportunity to experience the lifestyle of the people of a

foreign country is great in itself. This initiative of “JICE” is highly

appreciable.

And especially the exchange programme with high school students was

really good and admirable. I got to know about the young generation of

Japan, their way of thinking, their concerns and interests and so many

other things as well. And the home-stay !! It was really wonderful. I got an

opportunity to experience Japanese life very closely and I exchanged my

views with the members of my host family and had a great time. Due to

lack of words and space, I would conclude that “JICE” has really taken a

great step and it is really marvelous. Thank you so much.

<Osaka / Kyoto Group>

Absolute fun as well as a great learning experience. Was left awestruck

at the level of development, standard of living and the scenic beauty at

heritage sites. Home-stay experience was wonderful and I think I can do

a lot more than I thought I was capable of (independence, survival,

leadership, etc.). Programme was very well-organized and we learnt so

much in a fun package. Learnt about all aspects of Japan; the best

experience ever. Don’t want it to end and want to do it again.

I am really thankful to JICE who let me participate in such a programme.

It has surely contributed a lot to my knowledge and feelings about Japan.

It has certainly helped to build a strong foundation for international

cooperation. The goals of our trip have been successfully achieved. I

completely understand the fact that we did not visit may tourist places

because of our main motive of attending the JENESYS programme. The

whole programme was well planned. Thank you very much for letting me

participate in this programme. I am highly impressed by Japan’s

infrastructure, people and their lifestyle.

The “JENESYS” programme organized by JICE has given me a life-time

opportunity to visit the land of rising sun – Japan. The programme was

conducted very smoothly and our JICE coordinators took great care of

us.

The programme gave us a nice chance to interact with local people, live

with a Japanese family, to visit various museums which display the

history of Japan, their technologies etc. We were also taken to two

schools where we could talk with teenagers of our age and know how

they think and what they think about us. We were very much impressed

by the hospitality, politeness, and punctuality of Japanese people and

awestruck by the sophisticated use they make of the simple principles.

Above all, it is an experience which I can never ever forget!!

Japan is a very professional country. The people are gems and the most

valuable treasure of Japan. Technology is highly advanced, along with

culture and society. However it would be highly appreciated if English

would be given importance. That would help Japan gain more

international students and tourists.

<Okayama Group>

Well, the program was a big success due to the well organized character.

The time although was short as for the home stay. It would have been

better if we had a bit more time. The time of Panasonic Tokyo Center was

also extra short. Except for this, there was no other problem. One of the

best experiences was meeting the Indians from all over India, who were

very-very diverse. The Japan’s food was OK although earlier we hated it.

I am considering myself lucky because I had a chance to exchange with

Japanese people during the program. I knew and learnt the advanced

technology of Japan. Before this program I only heard about this. Before

this program, I only thought that our country is the best and the culture is

rich. But when I attended this program, I knew that we should learn many

things from Japan, such as punctuality, devotion to the work and equality.

Japanese people are very active, advanced and appreciative. I want to

come again to Japan and want to learn about its technology. I want to

learn many more things from Japan.

I was feeling a bit nervous before attending this program. But my problem

was quite solved in these few days. I shared my knowledge, my culture,

and also my emotion with my group members and supervisors,

coordinators and mostly with the host family. I was eager to know the

reason behind Japan’s development and these few days I found them.

Japanese people are systematic, lover of nature, down to earth but

somehow shy. They are much concerned about their culture and

cleanliness which impressed me very much. There I found the practical

view of sustainable development. Indeed I found Japan as my second

home.

<Kumamoto Group>

Participating in a programme like JENESYS is always like a dream came

true and when the programme is conducted in such a nice way, it serves

as the icing on the cake. Everything in this programme was perfect – be it

the schedule, the JICE coordinators or the hospitality.

Interaction with the people was most interesting as I found the people

very polite, gentle and friendly.

Lecture about Japan broadened our view about Japanese culture,

education system and technology.

Visiting the cultural heritages was great fun.

Surrounded by greenery and serenity, the buildings stood well preserved

and were awe-striking.

Learning various handicrafts helped me improve my craftsmanship as I

love doing crafts as many others.

Through the JENESYS student exchange program, I was able to

understand Japanese life, culture and way of life. I could interact with

local people and also during home stay and exchange program at high

school. The program was conducted smoothly without much of problems.

I could experience foreign visit and widen my thinking on global matters.

It has facilitated to lay the foundation for international cooperation among

Asian countries. I enjoyed the program thoroughly and also learn about

the technology and economic development in Japan, interact with people,

experience Japanese culture by making kadomatsu, practicing kendo

and making wagashi (Japanese sweets).

Thank you! Arigato gozaimas!!

JENESYS programme was a very good initiative taken by the Japanese

government. In today’s world, the future of all countries is linked together.

So it calls for an extreme necessity to have mutual trust and cooperation

among the future pillars of the world. This programme has greatly

enhanced my horizons. The entire programme, its management, the job

of the coordinators was up to the mark. I have learned in a great detail

about one of the most advanced counties of the world. This programme

has changed my personality and my point of view. I am thankful to

JENESYS and JICE to have given me this opportunity to learn Japanese

culture and know Japanese people.

I knew it had to be something very good when we were going to visit

Japan. I was looking forward for a very good experience. From the day I

got the call till now I am almost amazed. Japan is a country which can

represent the world. The way it is handled is superficial. Everything about

Japan is adorable. The system of health, education, administration, travel

is worth some appreciation. The things I did not like about visiting Japan

and JENESYS is the language problem for us. Rest everything was very

good. The traffic system is very nicely handled. I surely know now that

Japan is rightly called a super power. But a very good thing about Japan

is the cooperation with other counties, urging to spread peace and

making them emerge from depths. I feel really lucky to have been

selected in such a good programme like JENESYS.

I like to experience the visit to Japan very much that I cannot express in

words. It was the most beautiful tour in my life. I got the things more than

my expectation. I am much impressed about the traffic rules and people’s

patience. They didn’t blow their horn. I like the visit to recycle factory and

Ariake Incineration Plant. I had learned that most the garbage is recycle

for the further use. And so there is no waste of any thing. I like the visit

Minamata City too. The story narrated by the woman was very touching.

I got touched by the story. I was about the cry. I like the Kumamoto Castle.

I can see the architectural work which is almost 200 years old. It was

really wonderful. I enjoy the Edo Tokyo Museum too. I can learn about

the ancient Japanese culture and it is rich with all the various varieties. I

like the visit to Panasonic Centre and the Toyota Car Centre too. In

Panasonic Centre, we can learn many new invented thing that are about

to come in market. I love Japanese food, people and the beautiful nature

too. I would like to visit the place again in my near future. I really love the

Japan and I thank JICE to conduct this programme.

Impressions by Japanese High School Students

●Title：What I have learned from the cultural exchange

with high school students from India

●School: Nagano Prefectural Nagano-Nishi High School

I have learned the importance of knowing each other’s country through this

cultural exchange. When I asked the people from India about Japan, they

could answer them well but I could not always answer what they asked me

about India and I have hurt their feelings. I know a lot about the U.S.A. and

the U.K., but I do not know much about Asian countries where are closer to

Japan. We can learn about the countries from the people we meet through

the cultural exchange but I have once again thought it was important to study

by ourselves. I will be meeting many people from many countries from now

on so I would like to be interested in many countries and study about them. I

of course would like to make an effort to learn to speak in English. It was a

very good experience to have learned the differences of culture between India

and Japan.

●Title: International exchange that made us understand each other

●School: Nagano Prefectural Nagano-Nishi High School

I have felt difficulties slightly different from the International Exchange I have

experienced before, when we cooked “Oyaki”, Japanese cake with fillings,

with the high school students from India. First of all, their English had a

strong accent that I could not understand and we could not make ourselves

understood. But the girl who was with our group was smiling all the time

and that made us feel very comfortable and even though we could not

communicate well in words, we have enjoyed cooking together. We added

curry powder and sesame to “Oyaki” and it was not very spicy since she said

we should make it to suit our taste, but I was very happy because she enjoyed

“Oyaki”. I only knew what I learned about India by watching TV and I have

never met an Indian. I thought they were scary people since they value

religion, but I have learned that they were very kind, gentle and cute. And I

was happy that I could tell them those thoughts in English though my English

was not good. Though the time was short, I think we could understand each

other by overcoming the differences in race. I would like to study English

harder and I would like to come to an understanding with people from various

countries like this time. It was a great experience.

●Title: Understanding of other culture

●School: Nagano Prefectural Nagano-Nishi High School

I think I could really feel what the different culture was through the exchange.

First of all, I was very surprised that their English was different. They had

unique pronunciation which was difficult to understand that I did not get what

they were trying to say most of the time. I have managed to communicate

with the help of some gestures and by talking slowly, but I felt there was a

great barrier between countries. Even when we could communicate in

English, our views were not always the same. I felt the importance of a smile

several times then. By just smiling, we could enjoy ourselves even though we

couldn’t understand each other. We smiled more and more every time we

talked and I was very happy. So this exchange was very good and I strongly

felt that I would like to understand different cultures more.

●Title: Be an international person

●School: Osaka Prefectural Ohtemae High School

I had a vague idea that I would be in Japan till I die, until the end of this home

stay. But my Indian friends showed me the large and amazing world. I have

always felt scared of foreign countries but I could feel that was changing as I

spent time with them. B, the boy who came to stay with us was very wise.

He was very active on the first and the second days. His intelligence and

strong will he sometimes showed have amazed me. By looking at him, I felt I

was still very immature and I wanted to catch up with him. I would like to

study English harder and speak with him on an equal basis. I thought I would

like to be an international person. This cultural exchange may have changed

my life greatly. I would like to make utmost efforts to make that change a

good one.

●Title: Cultural Exchange with high school students from India

●School: Osaka Prefectural Ohtemae High School

As for having an Indian high school student at home, I actually was anxious

about the differences in lifestyle, culture and religion at first. But such anxiety

was gone without my knowing and I was truly enjoying being with her. On the

first night at home, she sang an Indian song and I played Japanese music.

We put on Yukata, Japanese informal cotton kimono and Indian costume and

we had real cultural exchange. We enjoyed Ikebana, the Japanese flower

arrangement, and Hyakunin Isshu, the Japanese playing cards and had a

wonderful time on the following day. We talked a lot and really enjoyed

talking about our families and sports. An enjoyable time flashed by and the

farewell party started. What I cannot forget about the farewell party is that all

the high school students from Japan and India danced together. We danced

in a circle around the table. We all felt the same way and I felt like dancing

forever. But the time for parting came. It was only for two days but I felt as if

we had spent a lot more time together and that made the parting very hard.

Those two days with full of memories have become unforgettable and

precious time for me. I thank all the people and the teachers at Ohtemae

High School who have given me such a wonderful opportunity from the bottom

of my heart.

●Title: Cultural Exchange

●School: Kyoto Prefectural Joyo High School

I was worried what it would be like at first. But the exchange programme has

started and an Indian boy has come, and I was no longer worried. I hardly

speak English but the people on a visit to Japan were friendly and I have

enjoyed myself. We talked about a lot of things and then tried Japanese

calligraphy. It was the first time for him to try but I was amazed to see him

writing Kanji, the Japanese characters. We only taught him once and he

could do it. I could never do that.

I was surprised to hear that they study in English at school in India. I could

not speak properly but it was great to have been able to have such an

exchange. I would like to meet them again. And I would like to study

English and hope we can have some simple conversations. That may not be

possible... Lastly I thank you for the enjoyable time. It was only an hour but

I have learned a lot.

●Title: Cultural Exchange

●School: Kyoto Prefectural Joyo High School

It was a great cultural exchange programme. The performance by the Indian

party was enjoyable. But there were so many events that we did not have

much time to actually speak with the high school students from India. But in

spite of such a short time, they were eager to speak with us, so the barrier I felt

at first was soon gone and I have enjoyed talking with them. The curry and

naan were so good that we could deepen our friendship.

●Title: Cultural Exchange

●School: Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Amaki High School

Though we have quite a lot of cultural exchange with foreign people nowadays,

I was worried and nervous. I was very nervous this time too. I have always

been in contact with people from the U.S.A. but this time, from India where I

was not very familiar, so I was very nervous. When I met the people from

India for the first time, I thought they were very friendly. They spoke slowly

with a smile to us who were confused and I was very happy. They wore

pretty costumes and danced. And they asked us if we had enjoyed it. We

enjoyed Origami, the Japanese paper folding, and Daruma game. They took

back many Origami that we have made. We were very happy. But I wished

if I spoke English more.

●Title: Cultural Exchange

●School: Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Amaki High School

The biggest difference I felt though talking with the high school students from

India is their positive attitude. They asked us a lot of questions though we

are from different countries. I was amazed that they were so interested in

various Japanese things and asked us questions. Compared to them, I was

too shy to speak and I regret that I have given them a hard time. I would like

to make use of this experience for the future.

●Title: Having students through Cultural Exchange

●School: Shinwa Private High School

It has been a year since I have joined ESS association at Shinwa High School.

And I was given this big task of having students from India for the first time. I

was not confident of speaking in English properly and I was worried if they

would enjoy themselves so I was very nervous. But there was no need to

worry and we had a great time. The students from India wore different

national costumes and introduced themselves. The costumes from different

regions of India were beautiful. We had lunch together then. We played the

video introducing Shinwa High School and we have explained in English.

They asked questions and listened to our clumsy English explanations. They

have enjoyed cooking Japanese-style confection but when asked “What does

it taste like?”, they answered, “Too sweet.” It might have been too sweet for

them who are from India well known for curry. What I have thought about the

students from India was that they were very friendly and smart. One of the

students at Shinwa High School has given a presentation about environmental

issues in English at the end. When that was done, they said they wanted to

have the copy of the presentation because they wanted to show it to the

people in India. I was very impressed. Then the time to part has come.

They said “Sayonara”, good-by in Japanese. I felt there was no border

between people. I hope I can have cultural exchange with various people

across the countries. And I hope the world would be peaceful through

international exchange. Lastly, I would like to thank the people who have

planned this exchange programme.

●Title: Having students through Cultural Exchange

●School: Shinwa Private High School

What I have realized most through this exchange programme is the lack of

studying English. I knew this for some time but I really became aware of that.

I would not say all the Japanese people but most of the people (my class

mates) seem to think “I will not need English in the future so I do not need to

be so good at it.” Compared to students in other countries, we know limited

amount of vocabulary, not good at grammar and we rely on an electronic

dictionary too much. I have recognized my English ability anew this time. I

would like to host the students again so that they would be able to experience

Japanese culture but I once again thought I should study English harder.

Impressions by Host Families

＜Nagano Group＞

● I feel close to India, the unknown country. I was impressed with the

student who stayed with us being so calm and mature even though she was

only 14. I carelessly broke a plate while I was preparing a meal and was

clearing up, then she nonchalantly helped me. My daughter could not

speak English and felt irritated so I think she was highly motivated. But

she felt very close to the student and cried when they parted, and the

student told her “You are cute.”

● She was a real vegetarian and I have struggled with the menu. She

volunteered to help and it was good to prepare the meal together. She

liked the Pizza I prepared for lunch. (It had curry flavoured eggplant and

green paper.) Those three days were very enjoyable. Our meals are

mainly vegetables even after she has gone.

● JENESYS Programme costs a lot of money and requires a lot of work but I

think it is very significant to invite talented youths not only to Japan but to

our homes so that they would be able to understand Japan well.

＜Osaka Group＞

● I could see my daughter enjoy speaking with a foreigner in English for the

first time. The student wore my daughter’s Yukata, Japanese informal

cotton kimono, and my daughter wore Indian national costume and we took

photos in the evening of the first day. The student requested to learn

Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement, so we went out to buy flowers

together and she has tried it in the morning of the second day. She

seemed to find it difficult to use the flower scissors and she was cutting

twigs and stems with a clearly unpracticed hand but she seemed to have

enjoyed it. She was eager to try the Japanese lifestyle such as a

Japanese-style room, Futon, Japanese bedding, chopsticks and traditional

Japanese bath, and we had no problem.

● It was our first experience and we made many mistakes but it became a

memorable experience for my family. I was very anxious but I felt relieved

when I learned we could understand each other with hearts even if we could

not communicate in words properly. At the same time, I felt a desire to

improve English so that I can communicate with them. We both had pets

so we talked about pets and we understood each other.

● I hardly have a chance to be in touch with foreigners, so I was a little worried.

But the student who came to our home was gentle and considerate and I

was happy. He showed us some photographs of his family on internet and

told us their customs at the weddings in India.

＜Okayama Group＞

● I was very impressed with cleverness and sincere attitude towards people of

the high school student from India. I was full of admiration for his attitude.

He is proud of his own country and he tried to make me understand various

culture and customs in India, such as temples and the school system. I

think it is important that host families including myself to have sufficient

knowledge about Japan to be able to explain to the guests. (I wondered if

high school students from Japan had such amount of knowledge when they

go abroad to stay with families…) Through this experience, I have learned

a lot of things I did not know before such as religion, India and vegetarian.

● Our PC has a camera so the student enjoyed talking on TV phone with the

use of Skype for free every night. It was good that we could talk with his

family on PC. We were surprised when all of his family (his grandparents,

uncle, aunt, parents, sister and cousins) came on TV phone and thanked us

in the morning on the final day. There is 3 hours of time difference

between Japan and India, so 9 in the morning here is 6 in India.

Furthermore, PC with camera is not yet popular in Indian homes so they

drove for 30 minutes to get to the centre and rented special PC booth to talk

with us.

＜Kumamoto Group＞

● It was the first time for me to talk with an Indian. That was the best thing.

India was an unknown country though I had some information from TV. I

am ashamed to say the only things I could think of India were, “turban, curry,

eat with a hand, prayer”. But I understood there were many talented

people in India. India will have a closer relationship with Japan in business

from now on so I think it is good that I feel familiar with them now. They

seem to have high aims and I am impressed. We did not have much time

so we only visited Mt. Aso. They seemed very interested to see scenery of

Japanese countryside, a volcano and green houses. And we made

rice-cake with a mortar and a pounder. They did not seem to like the taste.

They were vegetarian but they wanted to try Ramen noodles so I took them

to a Ramen shop where I normally go with my vegetarian friend and had

vegetarian Ramen noodles together. They seemed to have liked it very

much. I offered to give them books at a book shop before the farewell

party. They choose English books so I also gave them the books to learn

Hiragana, Japanese syllabary.

● The students who stayed with us seem to have come from very good

environments. Probably from the upper class families of India. We would

like to participate in the programme again. I look forward to the next

opportunity.

● All the high school students from India were cheerful, gentle and happy.

Out of them, R, the girl who came to our home was kind and she got up

early to thank and greet my husband who was going to work early in the

morning on Sunday. (My daughter and I were still in bed.) And she

became friends with my daughter and it was a very good stimulus for my

daughter. My daughter who is usually brave was crying after she parted

with R. It was only a short exchange over the weekend but was a

memorable one. But on reflection, it might not have been a good idea to

have taken an Indian high school student with pure heart to a game arcade.

The time was short and my husband was working so we could not go very

far and the only place I could think of taking her was a game arcade.