The 'Long Term Exchange' experiences of three students
At All Corners Of
The Globe...
　

　Every Year we have many students traveling abroad on both short and long term exchanges and trips. In addition, every year there are many students studying here from many countries around the world.
　Last year we had 15 students studying in Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, U.S.A. and Mexico.
　The following reports were written by three of those students.
Sendai Ikuei Students abroad for 2004/2005
　
■Studied at Rotary Exchange, Mexico

I learned countless lessons in Mexico.

　During my Stay in Mexico, I made friends from Germany, Finland, Belgium, Poland, Austria, France, Switzerland, Canada, The United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Hong Kong and Thailand.

　 When you think of Mexico what do you think of? Tacos, Cacti, Sombreros or Tequila? Before I went there these were the things I imagined when I thought of Mexico. When I arrived and saw horses around the airport I was worried that I could not spend a whole year in there. I soon found out there is so much more to Mexico.

　The main characteristic an exchange student of The Rotary Club needs is to be able to know how to make a lot of friends, not only in the country you are from but also from all over the world.

　I studied Spanish for 3 months before I left Japan, however, I didn't understand anything when I arrived in Mexico. This was very disappointing. I had to communicate in English, which I have been learning since Junior High. What surprised me the most is that exchange students from other countries could speak English fluently, especially Germans. They could also speak Spanish, which frustrated me because I couldn't. I decided to take a private lesson and my Spanish improved little by little and I began to understand what people were saying.

　The most unforgettable experience during my stay was the trip I took around almost all of Mexico with about 50 exchange students from the sane district as me. We traveled on bus and it took more than 2 weeks. We went to many places such as the Pyramids and a village where Natives live.

　I learned countless lessons in Mexico, especially the importance of friendship and love. It feels great when somebody loves you. Japanese people are not as open as Mexicans, when we love someone we do not tell them directly. I felt very loved in Mexico because everyone always said, "I love you."

　If you want to study abroad just do it! Life is very short and we have just one opportunity to do what we want to do. Nothing is impossible!!

＊SPANISH (PDF,32k)

　
Miyuki Ohyanagi
Grade 12,
Foreign Language Course
Graduate at Furukawahigashi Jr. High
Studied at Rotary Exchange, Mexico
From September 2003 through June 2004
　
　
　
　
　
■Studied at Rockridge Secondary School, Canada
To learn to communicate in English makes our future better!

　On September 5th, 2003, I left Japan for Canada where I went to study and brush up my English skils. I stayed in Canada for 10 months and throughout my life there so much surprised me and I was continually excited.

　My first impression of this country was just great! All the things I saw in Canada interested me and because it was my first visit abroad all of my impressions were new. "This is Awesome" was the first expression I learned in Canada, it was very useful.

　During the exchange program I stayed with two different families. I stayed with the first family from September to December and with the second from January until the day I left Japan. Both families took good care of me. I really appreciated their generosity and even though I couldn't express myself they told me to just "take it easy" and then patient helped me with my English. At first ny lack of English made me very confused and made it hard to get along with my host family. However their words of encouragement made me believe in myself and cheered me up when I felt tired and frustrated with speaking English. I will never forget then; they will live in my mind forever. " Thank you very much."

　While I was staying in Canada, I went to a high school called Rockridge. It was quite small but the best high school in west Vancouver, actually in all of Canada. When I first went to this school I was really nervous because I was not used to listening and speaking English. The first 3 months were really hard on me. I couldn't make friends easily but once I got used to the school, and speaking English, it was easy to make friends. I had friends from China, Taiwan, Korea, Iran, and Mexico as well as Canadian friends. It was an awesome and unforgettable experience for me to know people from so many different cultures. If I have the chance to go overseas again I will so I can continue to broaden my horizons.

　One thing I didn't like about my experience in Canada was the racism I saw between Asians Whites and Blacks in my high school and outside of it. I guess because so many races live in Canada this is the way it goes. To learn about racism was important for me. We must make it disappear to make our future lives better.

　Finally I want to tell everyone who wants to go abroad on exchange that it is a good experience. It is good to know there are cool things to see in the world outside our country. The world is becoming more global and English is being used for work in more businesses. To go to different country and to learn to communicate in English makes our future better.
Yasunobu Hayasaka
Grade 12,
Personal Advancement Course
Graduate at Okino Jr. High
Studied at Rockridge Secondary School, Canada
From September 2003 through June 2004
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　 　
■Studied at Ullvi Gymnasiest High School, Sweden
My studying in Sweden.

　I lived in Sweden as an exchange student for 10 months. I lived with a wonderful Swedish family who took care of me all the time. During my stay I studied at Ullvi high school and Komvix.

　Before I went to Sweden, I had never been abroad and never been on an airplane. I was very anxious but also very excited for my new life in a foreign country. I lost my nervousness soon after I started my new life in Sweden. My host family was very nice, people were kind and the students and the teachers took good care of me.

　I had to study Swedish every day. At the beginning it was very hard work but I soon enjoyed being able to talk with my host family and friends. Day by day I improved my Swedish because of everyone's help. I took ny lessons very seriously and tried to talk to my friends as much as I could.

　I learned about Swedish culture, traditions and daily life. I was really surprised to learn there were a lot of people in Sweden with an interest in Japan. I found many good imported from Japan.

　Before my trip I thought a foreign country was one which was far from Japan, but now my thinking has changed. A country doesn't just mean an area surrounded by borders, it is a place where there are different people, cultures and traditions which we can share with each other with love and respect.

　I will never forget my wonderful family, my funny friends and the beautiful town I stayed in. I hope to be there again sometime in the future.


＊SWEDISH (PDF,252k)
Nozomi Satoh
Grade 12,
Foreign Language Course
Graduate at Marumorinishi Jr. High
Studied at Ullvi Gymnasiet, Sweden
From September 2003 through June 2004