Skip to main content

Danielle- School Visit Adventures

School Visit Adventures!


If I could visit with elementary students at kokurika (school visits) every day, I totally would. The kids are so incredibly welcoming to me, so eager to learn, and sooo cute!

This week, I had my second kokurika (school visit) at a kindergarten. This was my biggest one yet, for an hour and a half, with 4 classrooms of kids altogether - probably 60 or more 6-year-olds all jam-packed in one room, the energy was fantastic!

We played many Hippo games, did a bunch of fun activities with them, and I got to introduce myself to them with my large-print kamishibai (paper theater). As I brought out my family photo (specifically, showing them my eight family members), the whole room burst out with "Ehhhhh?!!" And then I told them that compared to their kindergarten (which had a very large campus), my garden was even bigger than that. "Ehhhhhh?!!" Their reactions were priceless!

I was also amazed at how, when I told them I was from America, they started openly – without hesitation or embarrassment - speaking English to me. My heart melted when they'd look straight at me (a foreign face) then smile and say, "Danielle!" and "Hello!" and "See you!"

Towards the end of the day, I left our Hippo members' meeting room to run to the bathroom (the bathroom was an adventure all in itself, by the way. Pictures included).


On my way out, I was bombarded with those little cuties coming up to me, wanting to play. Handing me origami paper and watching me fold the only thing I know how to fold. Asking me which mold they should use make their playdough creations. Showing me their art albums of crayon masterpieces. Introducing me to Cat's Cradle string games. Taking photos together with my well-used camera that day. Giving me so many high-fives and smiles. I had a hard time leaving them – If I could've stayed and played with them all day, I would have!




Kids are awesome. I know I could learn a thing or two from them. Their welcoming, all-inclusive attitude; not to be afraid to talk to someone new, not to be afraid to walk up and give someone the warmest smile you've ever seen. Not to be afraid by barriers of any kind. If we could all think more like children, the world would be a less fearful place, I think.

P.S. Got on the 5:40-something-AM train to get to the school (which I guess is VERY early by Japanese standards), and I got to sit on every train I transferred to. It was glorious, and I would not mind doing it again. :D

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...