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Has anyone ever participated in an exchange program, whether they hosted a student or were shipped to another country? Earlier this year, I hosted a Japanese foreign exchange student (my city is a sister city with Takaoka). The group consisted of five females (one was a teacher) and two males (one was a city councilman) and were here from March 15-26. It was a wonderful experience learning from these people, as well as teaching them. The exchange students and the host families did various activities together, such as a basketball game, a hockey game (they were really frightened at first because of how physical and rough our hockey team plays), a few museums, and a bunch of other events. It was a wonderful time, and I could not stress enough to participate in an exchange program, whether you're hosting or going on the trip. You learn a lot and you form very strong bonds over a very short time. It is well worth the time and effort.
Here are a few photos that were taken during the adventures:
When they first arrived:
My exchange student, Nanami, and I at a film festival setup by a teacher at the high school setup. The students were bored out of their minds during the films, too (and so were the Americans, haha!)
They performed a Japanese dance for us. From left to right, their names are: Fujita (surname, I don't remember his given name, haha! He was the councilman), Marie, Yuri, Arisa, Nanami, Kazuki, and Yukari (the teacher).
Here's Fujita-san in his traditional robes playing on his traditional flute to some traditional song, haha.
The exchange students a few host students before the semi-formal dance. In a fun turn of events, after tons of persuasion to a bunch of people at the dance, Kazuki and Arisa won best dressed couple.
One last group photo before they left. A lot of tears were shed, but we eventually parted ways. I still keep in contact with all of the students.
Oh yeah, and the day before they left, I totally "got it on" with Kazuki. The girl pulling on him also had a crush on him, haha!
I have a few stories concerning these kids, so if anyone's interested, I'll share them. I didn't want to make this post incredibly long, haha!
Here are a few photos that were taken during the adventures:
When they first arrived:
My exchange student, Nanami, and I at a film festival setup by a teacher at the high school setup. The students were bored out of their minds during the films, too (and so were the Americans, haha!)
They performed a Japanese dance for us. From left to right, their names are: Fujita (surname, I don't remember his given name, haha! He was the councilman), Marie, Yuri, Arisa, Nanami, Kazuki, and Yukari (the teacher).
Here's Fujita-san in his traditional robes playing on his traditional flute to some traditional song, haha.
The exchange students a few host students before the semi-formal dance. In a fun turn of events, after tons of persuasion to a bunch of people at the dance, Kazuki and Arisa won best dressed couple.
One last group photo before they left. A lot of tears were shed, but we eventually parted ways. I still keep in contact with all of the students.
Oh yeah, and the day before they left, I totally "got it on" with Kazuki. The girl pulling on him also had a crush on him, haha!
I have a few stories concerning these kids, so if anyone's interested, I'll share them. I didn't want to make this post incredibly long, haha!