Skip to main content

Michael- Life Since February

Life Since February

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! Time has been flying by! As we are at the cusp of Golden Week, I want to talk about what has been going on here lately. To me, it seems that Golden Week is quite a transition much like New Year's was. For one thing, it pretty much puts me into the last quarter of my time here, but it also is a definite shift into stably warm and summerish weather.

About a month ago, I switched to my 2nd host family. It was hard for me to switch from my last host family, but at least for the time being I get to see them at different hippo events or when my host mother comes to the office. In a way it is like i am the older brother who just moved out on my own to a different part of the city. However, it is definitely different in the fact that I have to work to develop a relationship with another host family! My new host family has done a very good job of trying to integrate me in their family. If anything, times flies by most when I'm spending time with them.

I've also had two rounds of visitors in Japan. First, my former boss and WI 4-H's international coordinator, Kay Hobler, came to visit. She had a very full schedule with trips in Tokyo, Kamakura, Kyoto, & Hiroshima. LEX was very helpful and welcomed her group very well. They were all so appreciative of everything they got from LEX. Secondly, a friend of mine from the University came to visit. Even though she was originally reluctant, I convinced her to stay with host families. It was hard at first, but she really enjoyed her time with the families. She said that before she was really confused with what my job was. She thought that I was just wasting my degree to teach English in Japan, but after she was here she saw what Hippo was and heard about the different tasks I perform. She now thinks that it is a really interesting and useful experience.

One of the most enjoyable things that has happened was the Yearlong Preparation Camp last weekend. All of the students who will be leaving for a year abroad in the fall gathered to learn about their programs, what it means to be a yearlong student, get insights from previous participants, and outline a course of action for getting themselves where they need to be with language and personality. For many of them they have been working hard already, but for some the realization that they will be in a foreign country for 10 months has just not hit them (and maybe for the ones who have been working hard, it still hasn't hit them either). Even though I had lived abroad for half a year twice, I know that I was still naive until I got here about what it meant to live in Japan for a year.

The camp focused on really challenging the students to be in charge of their own outcomes. My group wanted to utilize me and my 'native speed'. They also tried their best to speak only English, but they quickly came to the realziation of how exhausting it is when you don't understand much and constantly have to try express everything in another language. They all did such a good job! I can't wait to check back with them before they leave and see how the camp drove their ambition to prepare harder.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hayley- Looking back

Looking Back The Month in Review: As we begin February, it is time for me  to write my monthly report. Technically speaking, I haven’t  been in Japan for a month yet, but this report covers all  that I have done in January. As part of the report, I put together a summary of different categories within my life.  While the following is rather dry, I thought my blog readers  might find it interesting and informative. Host Family: I have a wonderful host family, and I’ve enjoyed settling in and getting to know them. My 8-year-old host brother has adjusted to me, and we get along very well. My 13-year-old host sister has been a great help as I learn Japanese; she has a notebook where she writes down new Japanese words and phrases that I am learning. Sugoi-ne! My host parents are wonderful. My host mom makes me feel like part of the family. She understands about the little things that make one feel “included” in family life. Something as smal...

Maddie- The First of Many New Experiences

The First of Many New Experiences So, what have my first weeks been like in Japan? ABSOLUTELY BUSY! But, also...AMAZING! Truly, it has been a busy couple of weeks here, but not overwhelmingly so. Furthermore, I`d prefer to be kept busy! Too much free time = too much thinking = homesickness. By keeping a full, fun schedule, with some relaxing and downtime, I can keep engaged with my surroundings, make new friends, and stay sane. To prevent a wall of text, let me break down for you some of my recent activities. So far, I have: Presented about my life in Wisconsin to classes of middle school and elementary school students. Eaten kaiten-zushi, or conveyor belt sushi.  Been interviewed about my biggest surprise when I came to Japan (it`s bluntness in regards to appearance, people won`t hesitate to call someone fat, or tell you that you`ve gotten skinny since they last saw you. As I`ve seen it, it`s never been malicious, just matter-of-fact).  Post filming. To my ...

LEX American Intern: Brittany

LEX American Intern: Brittany Introduction and First Impressions:  On LEX Hippo, and living in 日本 for a week Greetings and Salutations, my full name is Brittany Esther Gautier, but you can call me び [/bi/: BEE], or Brit, or びじ[BEE-GEE], or my official title Japanese resident registration ぶりとに[literally, "bu-RI-to-ni], or Britney Spears, or Brit-Brit, or ぶりぶり, or Estee. Or like a few of my previous Spanish speaking co-workers you can just call me Shakira. I am a year-long intern for LEX Hippo America. I speak English, understand a good amount of Spanish, and am focusing on learning Portuguese, and Japanese. I'm so excited to have been chosen for this wonderful program, and I'm overwhelmingly grateful for this opportunity to travel, learn, and expand my worldview in such an authentic and meaningful way. Background As I said before, I'm Brittany. I'm 22 years old, but on October 8th, I will be 23. Soy de Estados Unidos en California. Mi familia se com...