We are “World Campus Tama,” the Local Organizing Committee in Tama, Tokyo. We have been receiving World Campus – Japan program since 2007. And our city is scheduled as the final city of the Session 5. So since it is toward the end of the summer vacation and many people will already be [...]]]>

We are “World Campus Tama,” the Local Organizing Committee in Tama, Tokyo. We have been receiving World Campus – Japan program since 2007. And our city is scheduled as the final city of the Session 5. So since it is toward the end of the summer vacation and many people will already be back in Tokyo, we expect to have many families wanting to be host families. We plan an interaction with seniors through Japanese arts, crafts, music and dances at the Tama International Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Tour with Japanese university students, and an interaction event with local children. In addition, we would like to include company visits to promote Tama City to the world. We have been enjoying and look forward to making connections between the citizens of Tama and the people of the world through World Campus – Japan program.
We look forward to having you in Tama.

ワールドキャンパス多摩です。私たちは、2007年からずっとWCIの若者たちとの交流
を続けています。
今年は、初めての最終セッションの第2都市での受入となりました。
多摩市は、多摩ニュータウンをかかえ、夏休みは、帰省される方が多いなど、いつも
ホストファミリーの確保に苦心していましたが、今年は、夏休み終盤ということで、
かえってホストファミリー確保がやりやすくなるかも、と期待しています。
交流内容としては、すっかり定着した多摩市国際交流センターの「世界の若者と東京
のおじさま・おばさま」、大学生とのメトロポリタンツアーまたは同世代交流、去年
から引き続き2年目の児童館、コミュニティセンターとの子どもイベント、また、新
しい試みとして、多摩市の企業訪問（世界に向けた多摩のPR)を検討しています。
WCIとのかかわりにより、各地域の皆さんとの繋がりがより密接になっていくのが楽
しいです。
今後もどうぞよろしくお願いします。

Session 5: Toride City, Ibaraki (August 19 ~August 27)

Toride City is one of the bed-town communities of Tokyo, since it is 40 minutes from downtown. We are proud to have the Tone River, the largest river in the Kanto/Tokyo area. Along the riverside, the citizens enjoy bird watching, park activities, golf, flying [...]]]>

Session 5: Toride City, Ibaraki (August 19 ~August 27)

Toride City is one of the bed-town communities of Tokyo, since it is 40 minutes from downtown. We are proud to have the Tone River, the largest river in the Kanto/Tokyo area. Along the riverside, the citizens enjoy bird watching, park activities, golf, flying kites and fireworks, etc.. Since Toride was a key traffic station between Tokyo and the Northern Japan during the Edo period, there are many historical heritages, including the local corporations which have been in operation for more than 100 years. Toride is working together with the Tokyo University of the Arts, to make the city surrounded by “Art” by holding many cultural and art events. Toride also has world famous companies including Canon, Nisshin Foods which makes “Cup-O-Noodle,” Kirin Beer.
As one of the activities for the World Campus Japan visit in Toride, we scheduled to hold a Japanese kite making session with a professional kite maker and fly them by the Tone River. It will be amazing to see all the participants’ kites being connected together to fly in Kanto’s blue sky.

取手市は都心から40分、東京のベッドタウンです。なんといっても最大の魅力は、雄大な利根川の流れ。四季を通じて野鳥の観察ができ、河川敷を利用した公園やゴルフ場、お正月には凧揚げ大会、夏は花火大会などあり、市民の憩いの場となっています。江戸時代には水運、陸運の要所であったので、歴史にまつわる史跡なども多く残っており、創業から100年以上も続く老舗もたくさんあります。また、東京芸術大学の取手キャンパスがあり文化的なイベントも多く開催していて、アートの町づくりを目指しています。世界に名高いキヤノンやカップヌードルでも知られている日清フーズ、キリンビールなどの大手企業の工場などもあり、新旧混合の「水と歴史溢れるアートの町」です。
ＷＣＩ取手での活動の目玉は、芸大卒の先生と凧の会の方々のご指導による「真夏の凧揚げ大会」です。真夏の夕涼みに利根川河川敷でアートな手作り４０連凧が大空に舞い上がります。

Session 4： Abiko, City, Chiba (August 3 ~August 11)

On April 20, “Abiko Host Family no kai (Chair person: Ms. Kazuko Watanabe),” World Campus Local Organizing Committee(LOC) in Abiko had the kick off meeting to discuss and schedule the activities for this year’s World Campus visit from August 3 through 11. With the [...]]]>

Session 4： Abiko, City, Chiba (August 3 ~August 11)

On April 20, “Abiko Host Family no kai (Chair person: Ms. Kazuko Watanabe),” World Campus Local Organizing Committee(LOC) in Abiko had the kick off meeting to discuss and schedule the activities for this year’s World Campus visit from August 3 through 11. With the aim of meaningful cultural interactions, we have been working on many unique ideas including experiencing Japanese traditional music instruments like “Koto” and “Shamisen” performed by Tokyo University of the Arts graduated professional musicians, and “Rakugo,” one of the Japanese traditional art comedies. We envision the activities in Abiko will be uniquely different from the past visits.

4月20日、千葉県我孫子市のLOC、「あびこホストファミリーの会」(渡辺和子代表）は、8月3日から11日に予定されているWCIの「あびこツアー」を主な議題に、第1回総会を開きました。意義のある国際交流を目指して、会員からは既に様々な企画が提案されており、一部は早くも具体的な受け入れ準備が始まっています。東京芸術大学出身の超一流邦楽演奏家らによる筝曲や三味線の演奏観賞や体験、日本の伝統芸能である落語観賞計画などなもそのひとつです。今年は例年と一味違った受け入れ態勢を企画しています！

Konnichiwa,

I am Ellery Oosterberg and I am from the Netherlands. Currently I am studying Japanese language and culture at the University of Leiden.

When I was around age 13 I got an MSX computer (Sony). This tiny machine introduced me to the marvelous world of Japanese games. I got intrigued by the [...]]]>

Konnichiwa,

I am Ellery Oosterberg and I am from the Netherlands. Currently I am studying Japanese language and culture at the University of Leiden.

When I was around age 13 I got an MSX computer (Sony). This tiny machine introduced me to the marvelous world of Japanese games. I got intrigued by the manga style. Through this curiosity I found anime, J-Pop, Japanese movies and many more. Currently I am specialized in Movie and Theater with a particular interest in Asian cinema. However studying the language and culture for three years already without visiting the country itself was a bit strange. My goal was to travel through Japan as soon as possible.

To achieve that goal I joined the 2012 World Campus –Japan program as participant for three sessions. I completely fell in love with WC-J. As a student it offered me a better understanding of the language, but I also experienced the culture in first hand. However my host families learned a lot from me as well, including about their own culture. That is a feeling and experience which is priceless.

I was very happy (I was running around from joy!) when Hiro asked me to return to Japan to WC-J as a counselor.

So I will be there for all of you to have fun of course, but also to help you find your ways in Japan and experience Japan 100%. And also if you want to know more about me just ask, for I will do the same.

I am looking forward to meet you all in Japan soon!

Ellery Oosterberg (The Netherlands)

Hi Everyone!

My name’s Alvaro and I’ll be one the program counselors this year in World Campus Japan program.

I am Spanish but have been raised mostly in the Netherlands so you can count me with the Dutchies!

I currently live in Leiden and study Japanese at Leiden University.

My passion for Japanese [...]]]>

Hi Everyone!

My name’s Alvaro and I’ll be one the program counselors this year in World Campus Japan program.

I am Spanish but have been raised mostly in the Netherlands so you can count me with the Dutchies!

I currently live in Leiden and study Japanese at Leiden University.

My passion for Japanese goes all the way back to my childhood with series like Doraemon and Pokemon to name a few, but I started to get more into it towards my teenage years and since then I haven’t stopped.
The First time I went to Japan was with World Campus Japan. I was so excited; I had already read, heard and seen many things about this most fascinating country and was eager to see it with my own eyes. The first thing I thought when I stepped out of the airport was: it’s HOT in here! But that was soon replaced by other impressions like “the cars look like toys” and “there really are vending machines everywhere”. Soon I met up with the rest of the group, all from over the world, and I got paired up with my host family. That week was amazing! I had a blast with my host family and the group got along so well together. All that I experienced the other weeks was just as amazing and unique in its own way, and I cherished every moment. My second time to Japan was also with World Campus Japan and it was just as awesome as the year before.

I have experienced and gained so much from this program that I thought: This year, I want to contribute!

So this time I’ll be going as a counselor!

My job shall be to aid you, with the other counselors, on the rollercoaster ride that is World Campus Japan. Because you’re not only going on a fun trip, you’re going on a full-fledged cultural trip and, I’ll be honest, you might feel a bit rough at times.

That’s what we counselors are there for, to make sure to help you through those patches (we’ve all been through them!) and that you enjoy the program at the maximum knowing that there are people behind you to catch you when you fall. All in all, you won’t have to fear anything cause by the end of your trip you’ll have formed a strong bond with the whole group and will have gone through so many things that you’ll actually surprise yourself when you look back.

See you this summer!

Alvaro Martin-Mazorra (Spain/The Netherlands)

Hello,

My name is Nina Møller and i am one of the counselors for this year’s World Campus Japan program. I come from the land of fairy tales – Denmark. I’m currently living in the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. I also study at the University of Copenhagen and am finishing my bachelors [...]]]>

Hello,

My name is Nina Møller and i am one of the counselors for this year’s World Campus Japan program. I come from the land of fairy tales – Denmark. I’m currently living in the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. I also study at the University of Copenhagen and am finishing my bachelors degree in Japanese.

In Denmark, Japan is a very exotic country and a lot of people love Japanese food, history and sports. But that’s not what caught my attention; I have always loved to study advanced language and when I heard Japanese for the first time, I just fell in love with it. I therefore decided to study Japanese, and after 2 years of practice, I travelled to Japan for the first time with World Campus International, Inc. in the summer of 2011.

I had heard a lot about Japan from my classmates; they all said that Japan was unlike any other country and that it was amazingly different- in a good way. It all sounded very good but I didn’t have high expectations since I hadn’t been there before. I could never have guessed that this trip would change my life forever.

I had never travelled alone before, so travelling all the way to Japan -on my own, was something that I needed to overcome. I had also never had a long conversation with a Japanese person, so it occurred to me; what if they couldn’t understand me? And when I suddenly arrived in Arao and met my host mother, I found out that she only spoke Japanese. Outgoing as I am, I normally say something to start the conversation. However because my Japanese vocabulary was kind of limited, and since “steering wheel” wasn’t exactly a part of my vocabulary, I didn’t know how to tell her that in Denmark, the steering wheel is normally in the left side of the car. So how could I explain what I meant with my incomprehensible babble? I ended up doing what most of you will probably try using one day; body language. And it was the perfect way for her to understand and she quickly responded with a “really?” In Japanese. This was a situation I was very proud of and I will always recommend you guys to use it, whether or not you know Japanese.

In Japan I had amazing host families, I made friends for life, and I met my current Norwegian boyfriend Ola. As I said before- it really changed everything for me.

My wish for this program is to be able to show you guys all the amazing things Japan and World Campus International has to offer. I want to teach you how to get all the little details to remember the wonderful places you’re going to visit. I want this trip to be as wonderful for you as it has been for me.

I can’t wait to meet all of you guys this summer and get to know you.

また ね(Japanese for see you soon)

Nina Møller (Denmark)

Hey there everyone!

My name is Daniel van Delft, but you may call me Dan. I come from a small village in the south of the Netherlands, famous for it’s high quality and delicious beer. When I was deemed old and wise enough to attend university, I traded my peaceful village for the [...]]]>

Hey there everyone!

My name is Daniel van Delft, but you may call me Dan. I come from a small village in the south of the Netherlands, famous for it’s high quality and delicious beer. When I was deemed old and wise enough to attend university, I traded my peaceful village for the lively city of Leiden, in the west of the Netherlands. This is where I started studying Japanese. And now, I’m in my third year of university and getting ready to be a program counselor for World Campus – Japan (WCJ) this summer!

Up until two months before my graduation from highschool, I always wanted to become a physicist or a chemist, but math wasn’t exactly my strongest point and I realised I should probably strive for something more realistic. I had this minor interest in Japan, which started to become more prominent after talking to some friends, who showed me the country’s pop-culture. So even though I was never particularly good at learning languages, I (quite impulsively) decided to give “Japanstudies” a try. Boy, did I make the right choice! Like I said before, I’m in my third year now and I’m having a blast! I like Japan’s pop-culture, but I’m also drawn to it’s old traditions. During my freshman year I have also grown to love the Japanese language. I’m very interested in kanji in particular, because they are what makes Japanese so different from any Western language. Another aspect of Japan that I appreciate a lot, is something that I experienced with WCJ, namely the Japanese people. The host families, but also the people that I met on the street by chance were so hospitable and eager to help out a weird foreigner like myself. Also, their mentality in dealing with others and their sense of community is something that, I think, many people in my country would benefit from, if they took it as an example.

As a rather shy freshman, I decided to go to a WCJ presentation and I got interested pretty much right away. I acted on this interest and that summer I went to Japan for the first time. I guess one can imagine that I was quite happy being in the country that I had been studying for a year and that amazed me to no ends. But this happiness and what was supposed to be a great experience turned out to be even better. The things that I have done, seen, tasted, heard, smelled and felt during those 2 months were indescribable. Due to a series of events, the group that I was traveling with at the time got so close, it was like being in a family. This also made all the activities that we were involved in together even more memorable. Besides all the frst hand experiences, I also learned a lot about myself during the program. This might sound strange, but I got a lot more confident by just traveling with WCJ. I suppose this was because as a participant I really had to step out of the infamous “comfort zone”, by staying with strange people, eating strange things and performing in front of an audience. Also in this perspective, WCJ is a great program, so depending on how much you’re willing to try things and “Go for it!”, you’ll be able to get much more out of your Japan experience than just an (already) awesome tour. I haven’t discussed the individual activities, the amazing Japanese people or the satisfaction of the arigatou event, yet, but I’ll leave that for you to experience yourself. Besides, this post would take hours to read if I were to write it all down. You’re always welcome to talk to me personally though!

Anyway, because of the incredible impact WCJ had on me, I decided to go to Japan again with said program. However this time I went as a program counselor and, again, the time I spent in Japan was something I will never forget. And well, here I am again! I’m ready to create another amazing summer with every one of you! As a counselor my goal is to be someone you can depend on, so if there’s anything you need, you’re welcome to ask me. I also like to think I’m a good listener, so if you just feel like talking to someone I’d like to be there for you. Don’t hesitate to approach me!

I can’t wait to meet you all and I hope you’re as psyched as I am about our upcoming adventures!

Daniel van Delft (The Netherlands)

Hello!

My name is Ola, and I’ll be working as a counsellor for World Campus International, Inc. this summer. I come from Norway, but I’m currently living in Denmark studying psychology.

I travelled with WCI during the summer two years ago. I had been to Japan once before to visit my brother, [...]]]>

Hello!

My name is Ola, and I’ll be working as a counsellor for World Campus International, Inc. this summer. I come from Norway, but I’m currently living in Denmark studying psychology.

I travelled with WCI during the summer two years ago. I had been to Japan once before to visit my brother, so I thought I knew what I could expect from the programme. I decided to participate with 3 of my classmates from the Japanese class I was taking at the time. We had all agreed that it sounded interesting, with being a part of the local communities and such, and we were all very excited. When we finally arrived in Arao that summer, I had no idea about what I was about to experience. You could say that I was blown away, though that might be an understatement. Everything surpassed my expectations. Everything from the other participants to the staff and host families was far beyond what I had imagined.

Let me just say that I’m quite introverted; I usually don’t talk much with someone I’ve never met before, since I don’t see myself as being incredibly interesting or I don’t really know what to talk about. I like to be alone at times as well, so I can relax a little by myself. As a result I was quiet in the beginning, I didn’t say much to anyone beyond my classmates. Then things started to change. Already on the second or third day, our group had started to grow closer to each other. I came to know the entire group better and better, until I saw them all as my friends. Truth be told, I met my current girlfriend Nina, that summer. I got to know my host family better and better, and I was a bit disheartened when we left for the next city, since I felt that I hadn’t been there long enough. And I don’t usually bond with people that quickly. It might be hard to leave one host family, but you’ll be able to stay in touch if you want to. And you will meet other host families you’ll become fond of. You’ll experience a lot, but you’ll experience it with friends. And believe me when I say that you’ll laugh a lot.

What I’m trying to say is that even if you have difficulties getting close to others, even if you prefer to be alone, you will most likely grow to enjoy the company of your host families and your fellow participants. You will become a part of a tight-knitted group of people, a part of several Japanese families and local communities, and a part of the ever growing World Campus Japan community. You will gain friends from all over the world. You will learn, and you will grow. You will learn about Japanese culture, about other people, about yourself and, as a result, grow as a person.

My fellow counsellors and I will be there to guide you, and help you if there is a need for it. We’ll help you get the most out of your stay, we’ll be there when you’re having a great time, and we’ll be there if you’re down.

And as Marjike says further down on the page: try everything. You won’t regret it. Trust me.

Looking forward to seeing you in Japan!

Ola Johannessen (Norway)

I’m Maki Honda from Japan and I’ll be one of the counselors for this summer. This is my second year to travel with World Campus-Japan program. I’ll be working for logistics and guiding you as the interpreter during the program. I hope you will have great experiences while you stay here in Japan, [...]]]>

I’m Maki Honda from Japan and I’ll be one of the counselors for this summer. This is my second year to travel with World Campus-Japan program. I’ll be working for logistics and guiding you as the interpreter during the program. I hope you will have great experiences while you stay here in Japan, so please don’t hesitate to talk to me when you need some help.

I’m from Kumamoto city, and I’ve spent most of my life in there. I graduated from a university in Kumamoto city then I started working at the local radio station. I enjoyed working with creative people and learned a lot of things from my first job. After three years of working at the station, I joined the whole tour of World Campus-Japan program as one of the Japanese staff member. Traveling around with the international group of people, staying with the host families, and learning about their cultures and themselves…all of my experiences with World Campus International, Inc. gave me a great opportunity to rediscover my own cultures and helped me to be a grovel citizen.

Welcome to Japan! I’m so excited to receiving all of you and have this amazing adventure together!

Maki Honda (Japan)

Hi, my name is Marijke, and I’ll be one of the counselors for this year’s World Campus Japan program. I live in Leiden, a rather small city wedged between Amsterdam and The Hague. I was born and raised in Groningen, in the north of The Netherlands.

When I joined the World Campus [...]]]>

Hi, my name is Marijke, and I’ll be one of the counselors for this year’s World Campus Japan program. I live in Leiden, a rather small city wedged between Amsterdam and The Hague. I was born and raised in Groningen, in the north of The Netherlands.

When I joined the World Campus Japan program last year, it was the first time I had ever been to Japan. I sort of knew what I was getting into; I studied Japan Studies for a year, so in theory, I knew the Japanese culture. I joined the second and third sessions, so I arrived in Fukuoka. Everything was different; the money had holes in them, cables ran through the sky (in Holland, everything is underground), and bicyclists rode on the sidewalks. But, when I got lost, I also discovered the kind nature of random Japanese people. They stopped me, and helped me, without me even asking. And in their best English (which doesn’t mean a lot, but they tried).

The two sessions were the most awesome time I’ve ever had. We did the most amazing activities, like a tea ceremony, karaoke, and zen meditation. My all-time favorite experiences were the Host-family days. I’ve had five families in total, and had four Host-family days. Your Host-family will try to move heaven and earth to make this a special day, for you, but also for themselves. I went to a studio park, had a bbq with family friends alongside a river, and shopping. Just shopping with my family was the best bonding experience of all. You get to show them what you like and you get to see what they like. Your time with the different families is pretty short, and leaving them will be really hard (and I am the worst at it; I cry my eyes out every time), but it’s those small things that make you close to these kind people who take you into their homes voluntarily.

I look really forward to being a counselor this year. Last year’s counselors really helped me to not only experience everything, but really think about it, so I still remember a lot of it now. If you just live through it, you’ll forget so much, because the program moves so quickly, and one impression will be followed by three more, all even more impressive. It’s a good thing to sometimes stand still and think about what you just did, see, and hear. And what it did to you. And I’ll be honest; there will be things that will push your comfort zone, or that aren’t as fun as the others. We’ll be there to help you through these situations, and hopefully make you complete the program with a satisfied feeling.

My advice to you would be just to try everything. Go to a public onsen (hot spring), have dinner in a more obscure restaurant, amongst Japanese businessmen who just finished working, and learn the other participants and your families about your country and its habits. After this program, you’ll have new friends, both from all over the world, but also people from your own country. And even though these people may look all different, and seem to be as far apart as types come; the fact that you all joined this program means you have at least that in common. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Don’t think you don’t belong in the group. You’ll get a chance to introduce yourself, be yourself and have the best time of your life with people you didn’t know they existed just a week earlier.

Let’s make this a summer that you’ll remember for a very, very long time.

Marijke Langevoort (The Netherlands)

After 5 years of dating, one of the World Campus – Japan alumni, Jotter Verhaeghe (Spring program’08) from Belgium married to Hatsumi who was involved in the World Campus Japan stay in Kumamoto in 2008. It was a very nice reception with many guests from Belgium and Japan including World Campus Japan host [...]]]>

After 5 years of dating, one of the World Campus – Japan alumni, Jotter Verhaeghe (Spring program’08) from Belgium married to Hatsumi who was involved in the World Campus Japan stay in Kumamoto in 2008. It was a very nice reception with many guests from Belgium and Japan including World Campus Japan host families from Abiko, Suita, Omura and Arao as well as World Campus Japan alumni. Congratulations, Jotter and Hatsumi!!!

I think back on my World Campus International trip on a regular basis, and each time feels like a dream. It’s hard to believe all those adventures actually happened. Swimming in rivers, doing meditation techniques, seeing Tokyo to its fullest extent, and so much more. Ever since I was in middle school I [...]]]>

I think back on my World Campus International trip on a regular basis, and each time feels like a dream. It’s hard to believe all those adventures actually happened. Swimming in rivers, doing meditation techniques, seeing Tokyo to its fullest extent, and so much more. Ever since I was in middle school I wanted to go to Japan, and now that I’ve gone there I can’t think of any other way of going other than WCI.

While waiting to board the plane to Japan, I can honestly say this program was not what I was anticipating in any way. I was expecting to meet students who were also interested in Japan and to explore the language and culture and get immersed, but what happened was about a million times better. From my 2 sessions there I made some of the best friends on this earth and shared some really intense experiences. We formed bonds through hardships, laughter, and adventure, and I will never forget it or any of them. The easiest way to describe it is each day we get to go some place or do something amazing, all the while in the midst of friends who are all laughing and having the best time of their lives. All of this happening while learning Japanese, getting to know the culture, and the every day lives of the citizens there.

Going to Japan was a life changing experience for me and I will never forget it or the friends I made from different countries, or the connections of the families I lived with and became part of. Thank you World Campus International, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Morgan McCulloch (U.S.A)

This youtube video shows, WCI Norwegian alumnus, Henning Rodtwitt teaching sign language to the LOC members and host families as a part of the community event in Suita city, Osaka. During this event we also had great messages from past WCI participants expressing their appreciation and love for Suita. World Campus-Japan is not [...]]]>

This youtube video shows, WCI Norwegian alumnus, Henning Rodtwitt teaching sign language to the LOC members and host families as a part of the community event in Suita city, Osaka. During this event we also had great messages from past WCI participants expressing their appreciation and love for Suita. World Campus-Japan is not just a 5 session program! There is always WCI preparation and events going on all year round! Check this out and hope to see you in Japan!

Maki Honda (Kumamoto):
吹田滞在中は、本当にお世話になりました。大阪ならではの賑やかな女性たちの集まった実行委員会の皆さまに、とっても楽しませていただきました！あんまりみなさんとゆっくり
お話をする時間がなかったのが残念です。
それからホストファミリーの小山家のみなさんとも、短い時間でしたが、とても楽しい時間が過ごせました。食事や、毎日のイベント、私たちのためにたくさんのことを考えていてくれて本当に嬉しかったです。
大智くんの将来のこと、子どもたちに対する想い、たくさん素敵なお話を聞かせてくれて、ありがとうございました。
大智くん、祐巳くん、花心ちゃんにとっても、いい思い出になってくれていたら嬉しいです。
また、少し成長した子どもたちに会えるのを楽しみにしています。

Celiana Dolovitz Meneses (Venezuela):
World Campus – Japan has been an amazing experience for me because it has giving me the chance, in two years, to experience 4 different families.

A family of a hard working LOC who happens to be the mom of one of my life time best friends Yui. What an amazing chance to get to know her family.
Another hard working and super Host mom, who has a huge list of host kids all around the world and a husband that it is truly a dad for I am sure all of us who have been part of their family.

A family of hikers and mountain climbers that gave me not only cooking classes but also tips to go up Mount Fuji! ~ Grandpa greeted me everyday with a few words in Spanish and mom who accepted me after having many doubts taught me sign language… priceless.

Finally, a family of 3 generations of girls that included a new born baby. I was part of the family picture, a memory i will never forget! I now have a sister for life, thanks Aya and your family. Thanks to all for giving me your smiles, a place to sleep and most important, your trust! I learned a lot in each and everyone of your homes!

Love you all!

Ellery Oosterberg (The Netherlands):
大阪は一番 Is written on one of my Facebook profile photos. However that is how I feel after visiting Japan last summer. Even though Osaka is a big city it still has the warmth hand of a smaller town. I lost count of how many times I went to Nanba or Umeda, so much do I love the city.

It is also to my great Host family from Suita that I fell in love with Osaka. They are the ones who showed me around Osaka and her great secret spots. And to be really honest I think it says something that I went back to Osaka during my 2 breaks.

As for this message, which is written in the cold weather of the Netherlands, it is a short one however I will return to Osaka next year to show my appreciation to Osaka even more!
I love you all and I miss you all! And also the best Christmas wishes to everyone!

Best greetings ,
Ellery Oosterberg

Iris Spruit (The Netherlands):
Hello!
Thank you all for the great time we had in Suita. We did some fun activities and although it was really hot, I enjoyed it. Not only the activities we did in Suita but also my host family made my time in Suita a great time. They were really nice to me and we did a lot of fun things. I miss them and I would love to come back to Suita and see them again. I really feel like I’m part of their family.

I hope we’ll meet again someday!
Iris

Paulina Meza (Mexico):
I send lots of love to my host family in Suita! I enjoyed my stay very much, and everyone made me feel welcome. Thank you for having me over during the summer! I hope to see everyone again, thank you also for your effort. I really appreciate it and will never forget my time in Suita! Best vibes!

When I first applied to the program, I did it because I wanted to know Japan not [...]]]> I was with World Campus International during the summer of 2010, and I was never the same after that. I feel that it changed me in ways I never thought it would. And for the better.

When I first applied to the program, I did it because I wanted to know Japan not from the point of view of a tourist, but from the local communities. Once I read about WCI, I realized that it was exactly what I was looking for. Staying with host families, helping the local communities, getting to know the culture from the inside – it sounded perfect. But nothing could prepare me for the emotional rollercoaster that I was about to enter.

When I arrived at Tama (Tokyo), one of the members of the staff told me: “Welcome to an hell of a ride!”. I remember to think that he was just trying to be funny and dynamic. By the end of the program, I realized that he was not joking.

My experience with the host-families was simply amazing. I connected so much to them that, even 2 years after my experience with WCI, I keep in touch with them on a weekly basis. I really feel like they are my family. Also, the WCI group and all the experiences we went through together created really strong bonds. I already visited some of my friends that I met there, and I received them at my house, in Portugal, too! And not only the WCI friends, but also japanese friends that I met during our activities.

I remember that, on the last day in Japan, we were asked to comment on the highlights of the trip. I was crying so much that it was really hard to do it. I was crying because I made bonds in such a small amount of time, that I never thought I would. I stepped so many times out of my comfort zone during the trip that I felt so much stronger and confident, that even made me confuse. It was intense. Really intense. And wonderful.

And I will come back, for sure. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do so in 2013. I hope you can join me too!

Ana Margarida Cardoso (Portugal)