MEJIROGAKUEN

VOL.47

Mejiro Exchange
Mejiro University (Undergraduate, Postgraduate)
Mejiro University College
Mejiro Kenshin Junior and Senior High School

Mejiro Gakuen
4-31-1 Nakaochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 161-8539 JAPAN
Tel. 03-5996-3131 http://www.mejiro.ac.jp

JUNE 2013

Mejiro Kenshin Sports Day
This Sports Day was special
for me because it was my last
sports festival at this school, andbecause it is our school’s 90th
anniversary. I was very happy
that it was held at the Tokyo
Budokan this year because
it is such a big gym. The
Kurumi giving
preparations for Sports Day were
the opening
speech at
not easy. The other members ofSports Day
the student council and I were in
charge of running it, so we had to plan everythingout, including where to hang all the class flags.
Because we were in charge, this experience
was more precious than any other school event
including the school festival and chorus contest.
My thanks goes out to everyone who made Sports
Day a complete success.
Kurumi Hozaki
Senior 3

All of the Junior and Senior High students
warming up for the event

This year was our first sports festival at the Tokyo
Budokan. The junior and senior high school had
Sports Day together. I was impressed by how fast
the high school students ran. They were great.
When I become a high school student, I want

to be like them.
My class practiced for the relay
race and jumprope event everyday. Sometimes
we argued witheach other, but
Yui running the relay racein the end wewith her classcame together.
We also participated in the cheering battle. It wasvery fun for us.
This year is the 90th anniversary of Mejiro Kenshin.
To celebrate, we all got very nice Mejiro towels.
The teachers took photographs of all the students
holding them. It was a great day for everyone and I
have a lot of wonderful memories of it.
Yui Nagasaki
Junior 3

Internship Program
Somerville House, Brisbane, Australia

Satsuki (center) with Somerville House students

I had dreams of becoming a Japanese teacher andthat is why I decided to participate in this internship.
However, my English level was not high enoughso while in Australia I attended English language
school. This experience gave me a lot of knowledge, emotional strength, adaptability and friendsof all nationalities.
After returning to Japan, I became a Japaneseteacher. Finally my dream was fulfilled. I am so busy
because I have to study more but I am so happy.
I will never forget all of the students and staff atSomerville House. If possible, someday I want toteach in a foreign country again.
Satsuki Kikuchi

Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland, New Zealand
did debates, group work and so on.
I was a Japanese teaching assistant
Sometimes the Japanese exchange
at Takapuna Grammar School (TGS)
students made presentations about
in Auckland, New Zealand from April
their hometowns and favorite things.
2012 to April 2013.TGS is a 5-grade
On other occasions we went to aschool; there are students from theJapanese restaurant and had a picnic
2nd grade of junior high school to the
3rd grade of high school. In addition Yuki (fourth from right) on the beach as extracurricular lessons.
with students at theI was very surprised because theto Japanese, the students can takeschool ball
educational curriculum in New Zealand
Spanish, French, German and Maoriclasses. There were also French and Spanish is quite different from Japan. This was the first time
for me to stay overseas for a long period of time so I
assistants there so I was not the only one.
There were two teachers in charge of the Japanese was worried about it at first. However, my host family,
language course and both of them were New as well as all the teachers and students were so kind
Zealanders. I had no trouble communicating with the and helpful and the lifestyle in New Zealand was very
Japanese teachers because we spoke in Japanese, slow-paced, like my hometown, so life there wasbut communication with the students was much very easy and comfortable.
There are also many activities to do in New Zealand.
more difficult because I had to speak English.
In the Japanese classes the teacher would explain During one school term holiday I went to Hobitton,
about grammar and word meanings. I would a famous spot used in the movie 'The Lord of thewalk around the class and answer questions from Rings', did bungee jumping and so on. I was able tostudents and fix mistakes. Sometimes I would have many precious experiences.
read the textbook and help the students practice Someday I would like to visit New Zealand again andpronunciation. I also sometimes helped to watch would like to teach Japanese there again if I have thechance.
over the class when the teacher was absent.
In the classes for students from Y11 to Y13 (from I want to thank everyone for this great opportunity
1st to 3rd grade in Japanese high school) there and all my precious experiences.
were also Japanese exchange students so they
Yuki Kon

Welcome Party for
Haruka and Imy

Imy (front row second from left) andHaruka (center) with the members of theInternational Culture ClubThe International Culture Club threw a welcome
party for our exchange students, Imy and Haruka.
Imy is from New Zealand and Haruka is from
Canada. At first, we introduced ourselves to eachother. Then we played some traditional Japanesegames. It was a great opportunity for us to learn
about our own culture. We had a really good timewith Haruka and Imy and hope that they have awonderful time in Japan.
Kaya Murakami
Senior 2

Former Exchange Students
Visit Mejiro Kenshin
We were pleasantly surprised to have two of ourformer exchange students visit Mejiro Kenshin thispast winter. Adele Ka from Sentinel Secondary
School in Canada and Billie Watkins from Ogilvie
High School in Australia both stopped by to visit
the school and see some familiar faces. The staff
and students were happy to see them again andwish them the best in the future.

Adele Ka (third from right) and her host sister withthe principal and Mejiro Kenshin staff

Billie Watkins (center) and her sister June (left) withMejiro Kenshin students and teaching staff

Studying Abroad in Japan
In January 2013, I was given theopportunity to travel to Japanand study Japanese at oursister school, Mejiro Kenshin.
I stayed with Hina and herfamily who looked after me,
spent time with me and mademy time in Japan absolutely
amazing. During the week, Hinaand I went to and from school
together. In the mornings, myhost mother would always cookme a wonderful breakfast before
Hina and I rode our bikes to thetrain station, caught three trainsthen walked to get to school.
At school everyone was so
Nina (center) at dinner with her host family and family friends
kind and happy and made me
feel very welcomed. Everyone
always made the effort to acknowledge us and sometimes try out their English. I took part in sportclasses with my home group and often ate lunch with them. One weekend we went shopping
together. I also took part in calligraphy, music, woodwork, Oral Communication and Japaneseclasses. On Wednesdays we went on excursions to explore Japan. These days were a lot of fun!
Some of the places we visited were Tokyo Tower, the Ghibli museum and many beautiful temples.
After school Hina often took me shopping. Sometimes for dinner my host family would take me to
many different restaurants. It was amazing to try so many different foods, so different from Australia.
On the weekends my host family took me to many places around Japan. I was very fortunate to beable to see and do so much. I went to Disney Sea, visited many temples, saw a sumo match and one
weekend my host family even took me skiing, which was an experience I will never forget!!
The time I spent in Japan was amazing and the cultural differences and the friendliness of everyone
was incredible. I was so lucky to be part of this program and one day I will definitely return to Japan.
Nina Pretty
Ogilvie High School, Australia
I went to Mejiro Kenshin High School fromJanuary to March 2013. I had wanted to go to
Japan ever since my older sister started learning
Japanese, when I was 12.
In Japan, I lived in Toshima-ku, Tokyo. It is close
to Ikebukuro which is an amazing place for
shopping.
At school, I studied calligraphy, art, Japanese,
OC, P.E, cooking and music. I also went to thetea ceremony, badminton, Japanese Archeryand brass band clubs. All my teachers were verykind and patient if I couldn’t understand. My
June (right) with her host mother
homeroom class, 1-3, was very kind to me andI had a lot of fun in home group times, playing
basketball or just talking with my friends. One of
my favourite times of the school day was findingout what was in my Obentou! Classes in Japanare shorter, and easier to concentrate in, so I
think I like them better.
There are 4 people in my host family: Papa,
Mama, Seita, Ami and Towa (their tea-cup
poodle). They were very welcoming and generous
to me and took me to lots of different places inJapan, such as Himeji, Shizuoka, to see Mount
Fuji and to a Ninja restaurant. In Himeji, I stayed
June (left) with her host sisterwith my host mother’s family. They took me to
Shoshazan (where ‘The Last Samurai’ was filmed), to an Onsen, and dressed me up in a Kimono.
Food from Himeji was very interesting and yummy! These trips with my host family were some of thebest times I had in Japan, they made me feel as if I was a real part of their family.
Tokyo is a very busy and bright city; it is just the way I imagined it to be, and more. I gained a lotof confidence and independence while in Japan, and learned so much about Japan’s culture andcustoms as well as a lot about Australia too, in comparison with Japan. I will definitely come back toJapan one day, and I will never forget the time I spent there.
June Watkins
Ogilvie High School, Australia

Study Trip to Australia
I went to Australia for ten days during springvacation, but when I arrived, I discovered theseason was fall. The weather was great though,and I found everything very stimulating.
Before I left, I was so anxious because doing ahomestay was an entirely new experience for me,
and I was worried that Australians would not beable to understand my English. When we arrived at
the Adelaide Airport, several Australians came andtalked to me. At first, I couldn't understand what they
were saying because it was the first time that I had
heard Australian English, but they kept repeating
themselves until I finally understood. I felt relieved.
My host mother was strict and her cooking wasgood. She gave me the opportunity to do things

Study trip closing ceremony

for myself. I thought it was a good chance for me
to grow stronger and become more independent. I
stayed positive and made the best of everything. If
I had any trouble, I simply asked someone for help.

Everyone was very kind.
While we were there, we visited St. Aloysius
College twice. The students there were reallyfriendly. We played some games together.
Unfortunately, there was not much time to get toknow them, but we had a really good time.
This study trip was a very good experience for me.
I grew stronger, became very independent andproved to myself that I can communicate in English.
I recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in
English and other cultures. It was a wonderful andunforgettable experience.
Yuki Ebihara
Senior 3

Studying Abroad in Canada
memories of them all.
I studied abroad for about three
I like dance so I took a dancemonths in Vancouver. It was myclass. Dance class in Canada
first time to study abroad so I
was different from Japan. We
was very afraid, but when I arwent to an elementary school
rived in Vancouver, my feelings
once a month to teach dance.
changed and I became very exIt was a lot of fun because I
cited.
like children and it became
My host family consisted of fouran unforgettable and pleasantmembers: my host sister, hostexperience for me.
brother, host father and host
In school I became friends withmother. My host family was alelementary school students
ways kind to me and taught me
and many Sentinel students.
what I did not know. For examI enjoyed my school life every
ple, my host father sometimes
day. After school and holidays
taught me math. And, when I
my friends and I always went
missed the bus from school one
A page from Kaho’s scrapbook,somewhere like the shoppingday, my host mother came andskating trip with friends
mall or the beach. The beachpicked me up.
My host family took me to many places. We went to was the most beautiful that I have ever seen so I
the theater every Sunday and watched many kinds took many pictures with my friends there. Whenof movies. On other days we often watched movies we went out I always talked with my friends aboutat home. It was very fun for me. We also went to many things. Therefore I was able to learn English.
Cirque du Soleil. It made a deep impression on us. Thanks to many people, I had a very nice time in
Canada and it has become a lasting memory for
It was awesome.
During my stay I went to Sentinel Secondary me. From now, I will put my knowledge of English
School. Sentinel is very different from Mejiro to use. I will study more and go back to Canada
because the school events were so unique. For one day.
example, one day students went to school in
Kaho Matsumoto
pajamas. On Twin Day, students wore matching
Senior 2
clothes. Every event was fun and I have good

I went to Vancouver in Canada for ten weeks. WhenI arrived at my homestay, I could barely understandwhat my host family was saying because they werespeaking English really fast. But, because they
were kind and knew that I couldn’t really speak
English, they spoke slowly to me.
On the first day, I went cycling with the host family
and they introduced me to a lot of places. We
spent the first few days together. Then, on thefifth day, I went to school at West Vancouver
Secondary School (WVSS). I felt relieved to see a
few Japanese people there. I soon became friends
with them and with people from other countries.
All the people in my school were very kind andcheerful so I enjoyed school every day. P.E. lessons
were especially exciting for me. Playing soccer
with people from other countries felt a little weird,
and everyone was so good! Every time I scored or
made a great pass, everyone praised me and that
felt great! Also when we were running, I remember
taking a short cut with one of my friends andbeing shouted at by the teacher. They are all great
memories now. Spending ten weeks in Canada
went by quickly because every day felt like the best
day of my life. Even now I want to go there again. It
was a fabulous ten weeks that I’ll never forget.

Hayato Murata
Senior 2

Studying Abroad in EnglandI studied abroad for about three months at Cobham
Hall in the U.K. I learned a lot from the dormitory lifeand doing a homestay.
At school, I learned about art, mathematics, drama,
P.E., TOK, EFL and English. It felt difficult because
all my classes were in English, but it was a goodexperience for me. Also, on Saturdays, I went to thegym and enjoyed the trampoline and yoga.
One Sunday, I went to Olympic Park and a haunted
house in London. It was really fun, and I have goodmemories of that day. In the dormitory, every day
was fun and fulfilling. At my homestay, I made an
original pumpkin with my host family and enjoyedHalloween. My host family took me to various places
such as the sea, a big shopping mall, and France.
From this experience, I learned not only English, butalso about foreign culture. Someday I would like tovisit England again. I had a really fantastic time.
Kaho Onoe
Senior 2

Kaho (far left) and Yasuyo with friends

I went to England for about three months with Kaho.
I was worried about talking with British people
because I was not good at speaking English. At first,
it was very difficult just as I expected, but gradually
I was able to talk with people in England because I
became used to English and everyone around me
was very kind. They spoke slowly and used easy-tounderstand English. I made many friends.

I stayed in the school dormitory with Fiona who
was from Germany. She is fluent in English, and isvery kind. She helped me a lot. We did many things
together. We played lacrosse, made Christmas
decorations and played card games. I talked with
her about study, school, sports, friends, each of ourcountries and so on.
On holiday, I stayed at my host family’s house. They
were so kind and funny. I took the dog out for walks
with my host father. My host mother taught me the
piano. I was happy. And, they took me to France.
France was as beautiful as England.
I’m so glad I was able to meet so many nice people
in England. I made many good memories withthem. I had a really lovely time in England. I will
never forget the people I met and I hope to meetthem again someday.
Yasuyo Matsuda
Senior 2

Another Sky
and so on. I made friends with themand when we talked about our own
countries I lear ned about manydifferences. The biggest difference
from Japan is religion. My Saudi
friend told me that because of theirreligion they can't drink alcohol andthey have certain marriage customs.
I was surprised to hear this because I
didn't have much knowledge of religion.
I've become interested in religion andother cultures since I heard my friend's
stories.
Finally, I learned about myself. Before I
went to Canada, I was shy and I neverShiori (far left) experiencing Halloween in Canada
did anything on my own initiative. At
I studied at the University of British Columbia first I couldn't make friends with the other foreignin Vancouver, Canada for about four months. I students because I couldn’t speak with them,
was able to learn many things and grow a lot. and then I felt homesick. I found that it was
Of course I studied English, but I want to tell you because of my personality and that I needed toabout three other things I learned while I was there. break out of my shell. I also found that if I don'tFirst, I learned about Canadian culture. My best begin to take action, nothing happens. Since I
experiences came from participating in some began to speak with others and try new things I
cultural events like eating turkey on Thanksgiving gained more confidence.
Day. It's a holiday when people give thanks Studying abroad was a valuable experience
for the harvest. They usually eat turkey and it because it not only taught me English skills, but
was the first time for me to eat it. It was good. I also about other cultures and the importance ofalso joined in the Halloween celebrations. Many taking initiative. I'm proud I had this chance topeople wore funny costumes. I wore a costume go to UBC and learn many things. Canada was aand went to a party. It was really fun. I can't good environment for me to grow. That’s why, forexperience these activities in Japan, so they were me, Canada is like having another sky.
new for me.
Shiori Aoshima
Second, I learned about other cultures. There
3rd year, Department of English Language Studies
were many students from around the world at
Mejiro University
UBC, for example China, Korea, Saudi Arabia

My Dream of Studying in Japansurprised by dorm life. It's conveniently
close to the university, very clean and very
secure.
After orientation week I was placed in
the N3 level class. The class schedule
seemed too little in the beginning as I
wanted to immerse myself in Japanesestudies possibly eight hours a day.
However with adding up homework,
preparations for all kinds of classes(listening, reading, speaking) and small
tests every day one has to keep up
anyway and can't slack off even when
Stephanie (back row, third from right) with her classmatesclass ends around noon. But I am sureand teacher at Toshogu Shrine in Nikko
that way by the end of the year I will be
Since I was sixteen years old it was my dream able to reach my goal and pass the JLPT (Japanese
to study Japanese and Japanese only some Language Proficiency Test) at the N2 level.
day for at least a year. This dream became true, Besides all intensive studying, there are also
after many years of more or less self-studying, cultural activities organized by the university. For
this year in April with the acceptance from Mejiro instance, in the middle of May, all JALP students
University to enroll for the one year Japanese did a trip to Nikko, which was a lot of fun. And I
Language Program (JALP).
am really looking forward to the tea ceremony in
But it is not my first time in Japan. In 2011, I June and the visit to the Kabuki theater in July.
worked at the German Culture Center in Tokyo Everyone at Mejiro University, let it be teachers,
as a trainee. At that time I thought when living in NEXT (the Japanese student support team who
Japan of course one would learn the language helps us with many aspects of life in Japan) or
along the way. But due to work I had to speak the staff at the International Center, is very kind.
more German than Japanese and even after I am grateful to be able to spend a whole year ina year of living in Tokyo my Japanese level this environment.
improved only slowly. So I returned this year withhigh motivation and expectations.
Stephanie Tiede
As I am already used to life in Japan (I had myJapanese Language Program (JALP)
own tiny apartment before) I was pleasantly
Mejiro University

My Most Important Lesson

Naoko with her friend, experiencing nature in Idaho

While I was thinking about this article, I looked
at a lot of pictures from my study-abroad
experience. The biggest thing I noticed wasthat most of the photos were of my smilingcompanions. It seems that the people I was with
were more important than the beautiful scenes
or special experiences that were so important in
my life, and that if I didn’t have good company,
I wouldn’t think things were so beautiful andmy experiences wouldn’t be so special. This
realization made me decide to write about humanrelationships.
When I studied abroad for Power English I lived
in the dormitory at Idaho State University (ISU)with my nine companions from Mejiro University
and ISU students. During the first two weeks,
the Mejiro University students were very closeand good friends. But one day two students
started to fight and the other students’ opinions
caused a separation. The fight lasted about one
month. I want to call this period “the Dark Ages.”
After “the Dark Ages,” we kept a good distance
between each other and tried to make newfriends. However, even though “the Dark Ages”
were tiring, we learned that different people havedifferent values and it made us stronger.
I wanted to speak English while I was there, so
I grew tired of hanging out with my Japanese
friend. But as I spent time with her in the wideopen nature in Idaho, I realized that the time we
spent together was fun even though we had
different values. Then we not only became better
friends, but I was able to make other, new friends,
as well. After that, the nature I was seeing andexperiencing became even more beautiful.
That was my most valuable experience while I
was studying abroad. I learned how to keep myrelationships with friends in good condition andI learned how to make new friends. As I learned
about different values, I could also learn about myown. Studying abroad is not only about learning
English or about other cultures, but also for learning
about the differences of values among people.
Naoko Azuma
3rd year, Department of English Language Studies
Mejiro University
VOL. 47 JUNE 2013

Mejiro Exchange is published biannually by Mejiro Gakuen.
Views expressed in the ME do not necessarily reflect thoseof Mejiro Gakuen. Comments and submissions invited.