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2014 JET-MIP REPORT: MICHELLE LI

OCTOBER, 2014: BREEZE ISSUE #84
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESEMICHELLE LI
Harriton High School
Rosemont, PA
I cannot seem to remember everything anymore, or
anything at all. My memory of the 19 days has alreadybecome a blur in my mind and it has only been about 17
days since the program has ended at the time of thiswriting. The emotions I felt then are all jumbled up in myheart. If I try to recall and relive them, I will only becomefrustrated. I can only try to describe them. Therefore I will
do so for the sake of not letting this dream-likeexperience become too faint in my life.
Despite all the information we were given prior to the start of the program, I had no idea what to expect
during the trip. On the day I had to leave my dad behind at the airport in Philadelphia to meet people I've
never seen before made me really nervous, want to go home and ditch the program. However, I can never
be more glad and grateful that I went through with everything. Everything we did in preparation for goingto Japan, the homeworks, the interviews, and the orientation helped ease my mind and heart greatly.
I can only describe this program in one way; it was unbelievable, something I’ve dreamed of doing but at
the same time it was very real and fulfilling. We visited and explored many places, I was able to adapt tothe surroundings of the institute. What made it really real and fulfilling was that there was not a single day
we couldn't find something to do. If we wanted to go places, there were bikes to rent, and shuttle buses
we could ride. Waking up each day early in the morning, I never had the desire to sleep in however tired I
am. I roll out of bed each morning as early as I need to, ready to do whatever awaits. What really gave me
this motivation and excitement is the 31 other participants that accompany me on the adventures each day.
This program gave me the chance to not only tour japan like most tourists, it also gave us a chance toexperience life in Japan on a first hand basis, through living at the institute and the free time we weregiven and the homestay we were able to enjoy. Not only that, I was able to put what little I learned inJapanese classes to the test and realize how little I know.
Learning a language, as we were told over and over, is not only about learning vocab and grammar, butalso about learning the culture and life from which the language is extracted and comes from. This
experience allowed me to create a tie with other people that love the language, the people of japan,Privacy
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the culture. Thus, I will always be connected with the language. It also inspires me to continue learning
the language and culture.
When I came back, I told my mom about the manners and good parking skills of the Japanese people, andshe wasn’t surprised at all. First time going out with my best friend, I told her about my experiences inJapan. I told her about all the people I’ve met. She said I must have bonded with them and grew attachedand she was right. I had a positive affect on them by showing what I’ve become, they will know that Japanis a place that will change people for the better.
Meeting Thomas, our chaperone, and all the other participants for the first time at the airport and hotel in
LA made me try really hard to muster up the courage to greet everyone and learn everyone’s name. I am anaturally quiet girl especially around strangers, but this experience changed me in a good way. I realizedthat meeting new people and getting to know them can be scary at first, but good things would result fromour time together. Meeting new people also allowed me to be able experience and try things that I neverthought I would do by myself. Having companions, I felt like I can do anything. That is something that I
learned from Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson. They make friends everywhere they go because theytake the time to talk to people and make friends with them. They are able to have so much fun andexperience many things in Japan is because they made lots of friends. They are able to become a part ofthe community and merge. During the orientation in Los Angeles, Masako Unoura san told us to write amessage in plates that she handed out to us. On the plate I wrote down: “Smile and be grateful. Take a
step and join the world.” These words represent what I learned from them. Therefore I would like to tellthem this: “Although I have met you only through others and the history you guys left behind, I hope thatyou will live on through the happiness of everyone. I will try to smile more often, because good will only
come from it. I hope you guys will watch over us from above and smile with us.
Although, my 19 days of participation in this program has already ended, my adventure and experience
with the Japanese language and culture will continue to develop with this experience as a foundation. I
hope to see the people I went to Japan with and visit the places we went to in the future so I can see how
they have changed and also what hasn’t changed through a different light as I learn more about Japan andits language.

NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTO SUBMISSION“Best thing ever!”
I saw this at an onsen near the institute. They were free toread! However we did not stay long enough to be able toenjoy it.
I chose this because I love manga a lot!

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Japanese Langauge Education Update 112014 J-LEAP Report: Tomoki Nodo

2014 J-LEAP Report: Kaori Nishida2014 JET-MIP Report: Brianna Knapp2014 JET-MIP Report: Jianjie Liu2014 JET-MIP Report: Michelle Li2014 JET-MIP Report: Rachel Hirsch

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