The Marble Hill School for

International Studies

Summer 2004 Trip to Japan by Roberta Young

Before all else, a big thank you to “Fund for Teachers”! This was an absolutely wonderful and unforgettable experience – an experience that I could not have had without their support.

This was my third and longest stay in Japan – and it was the best. “Best” because even more than seeing famous places or special events, I wanted to meet and interact with people in day-to-day situations and live (as much as possible) a “typical Japanese,” not “American tourist,” life. I was fortunate to meet many wonderful people, several of whom I am maintaining an e-mail relationship with. As a result, my feel for Japanese life as well as my ability to converse in Japanese, have increased tremendously.

The People:

Students The penpal program is just with Imabetsu High School, but I also had the chance to visit Imabetsu’s elementary and middle schools and form good relationships there as well. In addition to seeing the students in English Conversation class, we would also often run into each other in town or on the train. I invited three high school girls to act as my guides on a shopping trip into Aomori City so I could visit the most “kakkoi” (=cool) stores.

The word “bunkasai” literally translates as “culture festival.” It is an event that is held every year at Japanese middle schools and high schools. It is a student-run event in which students can showcase the achievements of their afterschool club. In Japan, participation in one afterschool club is expected of every student. Afterschool clubs include music groups and sports teams as well as Japanese culture groups such as Tea Ceremony and Ikebana (flower arranging). The bunkasai was a wonderful way for me to see other facets of my penpals’ personalities. One student in particular really stood out as an excellent musician.

Imabetsu High School - Tea Ceremony Club

On the train to Aomori

Imabetsu High School - English Conversation Class

Shopping and Lunch in Aomori with the high school girls

Bunkasai (School Club Presentations) - Rock Group

Bunkasai - 3rd Year H.S. girls sell kakigori (snow cones)

School Staff My interactions were primarily with Ms. Akita and Ms. Sugiyama, the English teachers at the high school, and with Ms. Soma and Ms. Miyamoto, two of the English teachers at the middle school. In particular, I sometimes met with Ms. Sugiyama for pleasant chats in English and Japanese with the shared goal of improving our language skills. I also developed a close relationship with Mr. Shiotani, the elementary school principal. As he is also a professional finger flute player (!) we enjoyed playing duets for finger flute and guitar. He invited me to join his Aomori Recreation Group, made up primarily of teachers, retired teachers, and college students studying to become teachers, for a weekend camping trip.

Ms. Miyamoto, Eriko (an awesome 3rd year middle school student) & me

Dinner with Ali and the Middle School teachers

Camping Trip with the Aomori Recreation Group

The Board of Education Building

Board of Ed. “Kachou” (Deptartment Head) Mr. Yoneta

Board of Ed.: Mr. Abe and Ms. Wataya

Board of Ed.: “Dai” - Mr. Shimanaka