I was introduced to the Bloomington-Normal Sister Cities program several years ago
when my family decided to host a Japanese exchange student in hopes of sparking an
interest in Japanese culture and language in me. After all, I am half Japanese but had
no interest in Japan. After hosting several girls my age, my curiosity got the best of me
and I wanted to visit the new friends I had made and explore their home-Japan. The
summer after eighth grade I was fortunate enough to go on the Sister Cites two week
Junior High School exchange program. While there, I was hosted by the amazing
friends I had made in years past.
At the end of my freshman year in high school I found myself drawn back to the idea of
going to Asahikawa Japan when I eagerly learned about the High School Exchange
program. I fell in love with the idea of living the life I could have lived, if I had grown up
in Japan. I felt that it was imperative to learn the Japanese language, one way or
another, in order to talk to my Japanese side of the family, without using my dad as a
translator. Not only did I want to go to Japan to learn about the culture and language,
but I also wanted to represent my home town, Normal Illinois, as I have lived here my
entire life. I was hesitant to apply after learning about how competitive the selection
process can be, but decided to apply, hoping to be chosen. I received my acceptance
letter on a sunny day in April, inside was the promise of adventure. I was excited and
nervous to live so far from home and experience life in Japan.
After braving three airplane rides and a bus ride without my parents I arrived in
Asahikawa and met my first host family. Sister city exchange students typically have
three different host families, but because my second host family and I had bonded so
closely, they asked the committee to allow me to stay with them for the remainder of
my stay in Japan.
On a typical day in Japan I would start the day
off with a breakfast prepared by my host
mother consisting of rice, soup, and a fruit or
vegetable dish. Japanese food is amazing
and every meal was delicious. My favorites
included somen noodles and mochi with an. I
often cooked with my host family and on New
Year’s Day my host mother and I made mochi
with an, a New Year’s specialty. Mochi is
pounded rice and an is a sweet bean paste
usually eaten as dessert. One of the most
unique dining experiences that I have ever
had was the time I ate somen from a bamboo slide after catching the noodles with
hashi (chopsticks).
I went to Asahikawa Commercial High School. My uniform was a typical “Navy Sailor”
uniform that I wore every day to school. In English class, I would practice my Japanese
skills while my peers would practice their English skills. In the beginning our skill levels
were about equal, but by the end of the year, my
Japanese had surpassed my peers’ English skills.
English was not my only exciting subject. My favorite
subjects were science and computer skills. I quickly
learned how to type in Japanese in computer skills class.
One of my favorite projects was my self-introduction
power point presentation. Not only was I able to
participate in class with my classmates and achieve
passing grades, but I also self-studied Japanese and by
doing so was able to learn around 300 kanji or
Japanese characters.
One of the most exciting and rewarding things I
experienced in Japan was when Imade friends with my
Japanese classmates. My first friend was
the girl who sat next to me in homeroom,
Nagisa. We often hung out on the
weekends and she became interested in
learning English and visiting America. Her
sister was, at the time, doing an exchange
trip in Canada. Nagisa is now the current
(2014/2015) ambassador from Asahikawa
and is going to Bloomington High School.
My teachers were extremely supportive. My
home room teacher even spoke English!
Not only were my teachers supportive but
my band friends, Natsu and Michiru, were
supportive too. Every day after school, I
went to band practice, where I played the
clarinet with the world renowned,
Asahikawa Commercial High School band. Here is a link to see them in concert;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWY_3R-sAMs
Because I was away from my parents, I was able to achieve independence in a way
that I wouldn’t have been able to if I had stayed at home. For instance, while staying
with my first host family, I rode the city bus to school and I once hailed a cab (because
I missed the city bus). I also made arrangements to meet with a tutor once a week at
Asahikawa’s international center, making my own lesson plans for independent study.
Finally, I was able to contact my Japanese side of the family by calling and writing
letters.
A major highlight of my year there was going on a trip with my host family to Sendai.
We went to Sendai for a wedding. It was a privilege to be a family guest at the wedding.
It was a Christian style wedding and I thought it was interesting that the ceremony was
officiated in English and Japanese.
While in Sendai I got to see the area that was hit by
the tsunami in 2011. My host family knew how much
I liked to fish, so they made arrangements to go out
on a charter to do some ocean fishing.
Some other highlights included; a band trip to
Vancouver Canada, winning the school-wide chorus
competition, downhill skiing near Asahikawa, and
making friends with other exchange students from
around the world.
In completing this ambassadorship, I gained a global
perspective, lifelong friends, a stronger work ethic,
and grew tremendously as a person. This trip has
profoundly impacted my life by helping me realize
that I am not only an American citizen but a citizen of the world and the experience has
given me confidence that I can achieve the goals I strive for. I recommend this once-ina-lifetime opportunity to anyone who is genuinely interested in experiencing another
culture and is ready to study abroad.