Vol.１９June 2018

Contents
Saijo Industry andCulture Festival

1

ENGLISH IN
ACTION 2018

2

My “Love Saijo”

3

2018 SIEA General
Term Meeting andGuest Lecture

3

FINAL DATEWITH MATTHEW

4

Events &Announcements

4Josein hismariachi
suit!

The Industry and Culture
Festival was held in the Saijo Shopping Arcade on April
29. At the internationalbooth, we introduced the cultures of Latin America.
Thanks to the help of many
volunteers, we received rave
reviews! Thank you!
Western osteopathy wasalso a great success!
Many felt refreshed after
receiving treatment!★

2017年4月29日

Saijo Senior High School students
gave a presentation of their Study
Tour to England!

At the CIR workshop, we made mini
DONKEY piñatas! A piñata is a papier-mâché container filled withtreats. It is often broken during celebrations for children.
International Relations Saijo
is a quarterly newsletter
published in Japanese, English, and Vietnamese by theSaijo International Exchange Association (SIEA).
We welcome your comments,questions and submissions.

Jose, an Imabari ALT,
brought a handmade
piñata for kids to smashto pieces. In the end,
the kids scrambled forthe candy that tumbledfrom inside!

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp

2International Relations Saijo

ENGLISH in ACTION 2018
From March 23~25, the Saijo International Exchange Association
hosted an English camp! Saijo’s junior and senior high school students immersed themselves in English with non-Japanese residents.
While enjoying diverse cultures, everyone played various games,
wrote English poems, and designed mystical symbols to represent
Japan. On the last day, the students gave disaster prevention
presentations in English.
As you can see from their reflections, the students learned that communication with people from different cultures is not born from perfect English skills but from the courage to engage in conversation
with others. They also express their intentions to make use of thisexperience in the future!

It was a valuable experience because I could interact with junior highschool students and people from foreign countries, a rare opportunity
for me.
Sora Shiozaki

I was so happy theteachers kindly spoke tome again and again
even though my Englishskills are poor!
Miyu Saiki

I want to attend the English campagain next year! Sota Ochi

We learned many things
that we can’t learn in theclassroom, so I hope tomake use of those lessons in the future.
Nene Ochi

Ourconversations
with the teachers
left a deep impression on me. They
answered my questions without hesitation and kindly explained their questions when I didn’t
understand.
Arisa Hiratsuka
I learned that having thecourage and assertiveness to
speak to others without thefear of making mistakes ismore important than perfect
English skills and pronunciation. Thank you so much ～Kotoha Yoshimura

I can only speak a little
English, but everyone
treated me so kindly. I
want to help nonJapanese residents here
should they ever findthemselves in trouble.
Kotori Shirakawa
Communicatingwith people fromdifferent countries isdifficult, but I realized that it is important to reach out
to others by expressing the things I
want to say.
Aoi Hashida

I’ll remember everything we learned
over the camp, and I hope to makeuse of those lessons for myself andfor others as I pave the way forward!
Yukiko Tsushima （Big Sis）
My goal was to learn to love English.
After the English in Action camp, I
started to enjoy learning English.
Kanako Tsushima （Little Sis）

It was so much fun to have somany conversations. I learned alot. Thank you for teaching me
how to use English for my presentation. I will make the most of thisexperience while grappling withmy future studies!
Daido Kumika

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp

International Relations Saijo*My “Love Saijo”*

3

Recently, I have been guiding visitors to Saijo. Everyone’s first impression is that Saijo is blessed with nature,filled with an invigorating, refreshing atmosphere and, unlike larger cities, full of a peaceful happiness.
I have studied in Japan 2 times, so I am relatively familiar with Japanese customs and culture. However, when
I first arrived in Saijo, it was so quiet at night that it was frightening and I could not sleep. Where I grew up inVietnam, nighttime is full of the sounds of cars and motorbikes. Fortunately, I have grown accustomed to Saijo’s“sound.” When I visited Osaka for a day-trip, I soon wanted to return to Saijo. Once I had, I went Itani Benkyodo to eat takoyaki. I have eaten takoyaki at various establishments, but Benkyodo’s takoyaki is the best. I love
old things, so perhaps I enjoy its taste because it has the flavor of 100 years of history. Afterwards, I returned
home via the path between Saijo Library and the Public Welfare Center thinking, “Saijo really is wonderful.”Since coming to Saijo, I have had many firsts. In April, I climbed Mt. Kamegamori (1,896m) with friends. Once
I told my family in Vietnam that I had accomplished such a feat, they showered me with compliments. In reality, I started climbing from the trailhead at 1,671m, so it was an enjoyable hike even for a beginner like me. A
field of bamboo grass almost entirely covered the peak, so it looked like the World’s Only Golf Course.
With the adrenaline of the climb, we took on the Shimanami Kaido cycling course the next day. I felt a sense ofaccomplishment that I had not felt in many years. The road from Imabari to Onomichi was long, but I felt refreshed as I caught glimpses of bright greenery. While many seem to love cherry blossoms, as someone comingfrom a tropical climate, I love the color of new leaves. It was difficult to ascend the inclines on the bridges connecting the islands, but it was downhill after reaching each peak. The journey reminded me of the joys of life.
In life, there may be difficulties, but once you overcome them, something good will come your way. I also recalled an inscription at a temple near my house. It says, “If you are tired, take a break. When your energy returns, begin walking. Appreciate that this is natural.” Taking a breath of the spring air, I continued to ridealong the trail with high spirits while viewing the budding branches in the bright sky.
It is exciting to be in a city like Saijo where all of this is possible. Before I knew it, I had begun to think of Saijowith pride. I would like my family, friends, and many others to visit Saijo! Since I have come to Saijo as a Coordinator for International Relations, I want to treasure the “ties” I have here. (ア)On Saturday, May 19, SIEA held its general term
meeting and lecture for 2018~2019 in the City Hall’s
Large Conference Room. During the meeting, wecarried out staff elections, reports on the 2017-2018
projects and finances, and the deliberation of project proposals and budget for 2018-2019 (drafts).
This year, we welcomed Shino Takahashi, the deputy director of the Center for International Education at theEhime University Institute for International Relations, to give a lecture on the theme “Don’t be afraid if you
cannot speak English! Communicate with non-Japanese people using ‘simple’ Japanese.” Through the lecture,
we were able to renew our understanding of the important of communicating in our mother tongue and actual
circumstances of the daily lives of the non-Japanese residents in Saijo.
We hope you support SIEA’s promotion of activities for international understanding and exchange this year.
＜Japanese Courses available through the Saijo International Exchange Association＞○Saijo International Exchange Volunteer no Kai: Saturdays 19：30～21：00, Saijo Fukushi Center (Free)○Saijo Nihongo Benkyo Kai: Sundays 10：00～12：00, Kanbai Kouminkan (Free) ※Annual copy fee (500円)○Tanbara Nihongo no Kai: Sundays 9：00～11：00, Tanbara Kouminkan (Free) ※Must purchase textbook○Sakura Nihongo no Kai: Wednesdays 15：00～17：00, Saijo Kouminkan (Free)○Ishizuchi Nihongo Club: Dates based on consultation, Saijo Fukushi Center (Fee charged)
For details, please contact the SIEA office.

SIEA General Term Meeting ・Guest Lecture

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp

4International Relations Saijo

Final Date with Matthew
When I first learned I was coming to Saijo, I had never heard of itor Ehime. When Japanese friendsof mine in NY heard, they asked,“Shikoku? Will you be ok? There isnothing over there.” And while
Saijo might be lacking a little in
the type of entertainment common
in big cities, it makes up for itwith the people and natural beauty. From the moment I arrived I’ve been welcomed warmly by everyone in Saijo.
While I can’t fit all the things I will miss about Saijo in this short article, here are a few. The natural
beauty of Saijo and the mountain views I have during
my daily commute. Kamogawa BBQ’s in the summer,
imotaki in fall and hanami in spring. Saijo Matsuri
and all the sights, sounds, excitement and shoulder
pain that comes with it. Sports day and school festivals and watching students give it their all and cheering them on. All those days and nights playing baseball and softball. The trip to NZ with JHS students
last summer. The wonderful seasonal events andfoods that are scattered throughout each year. Seeing
friends and students all around town and meetingsomeone I know every time I step out of my apartment. And of course, watching all my students growover the past five years has been a real joy as well.
Not all things were good. The unbearably hot andhumid summers. Lack of insulation in winter forcing
me to live in one room for three months. Being far
from family and friends back home. Missing marriages, births and funerals. But my overall experience
here was incredibly positive. I have come to see Saijo
as a second home and while it is very sad to say goodbye, I will keep the memories of my time here close tomy heart forever.

Events & Announcements
Disaster Prevention Lecture
Yoko Kido of the Saijo City Disaster Prevention Expert
Liaison Council Women’s Division, will present a courseon disaster preparation to the non-Japanese community.
Make your own disaster survival kit!
English and Vietnamese interpreters available.
Japanese residents are also welcome to participate!
○Date：June 30 (Sat.) 10:00~11:30○Place：Saijo Public Welfare Center (Fukushi Center)○Free ○40 people (first-come-first-served)＜July Event Schedule＞
July 7 Let’s Read Together
Children (ages 3 to elementary school) and their guardians
can join international residents to read English picturebooks!
○Place：Saijo Library○Time：10：30～11：30○Application：10 groups （Apply from 6/18～6/29） ○Free※Participants must be members of the Saijo InternationalExchange Association
July 14 Chinese Cooking Class
Let’s make gyoza! Anyone interested is welcome!
For details, please make inquiries at the office.
July 22 Second International Exchange Café
○Place：Tanbara Community Center○Time：1：00～3：00pm＜August Event Schedule＞
August 4 Let’s Read Together
Children (ages 3 to elementary school) and their guardians
can join international residents to read English picture
books!
○Place：Saijo Library○Time：10：30～11：30○Application：10 groups （Apply from 7/17～7/31） ○Free※Participants must be members of the Saijo International
Exchange Association
There will be many more events in August, so please checkthe HP & Facebook!
EditorNotes

Nice to meet you! My name is Emi Sasaki.
There will be more opportunities for us tomeet in the future. I look forward to spending time with everyone! (佐)International Relations Saijo Staff
Yuki Teraoka （寺）Miho Ishimura (石）
Read in fullEmi Sasaki (佐)Diana Marie Linton (ダ）color！
(English Translation)
Nguyen Bui Anh Thy (ア）Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp