My Experiences from My Trip to Japan
Cherise M. White
From November 27 to December 14, 2017
Stayed in Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture
My time in Japan was a valuable experience for me. It had been my dream since I was asmall child to visit Japan. I loved the culture and snagged the opportunity to learn Japanese at a
local community college when I got it. I studied for about a year and could speak, read andwrite two of the three alphabets. Because both of my parents could speak Japanese we would
converse through Japanese occasionally. I thought I would do fine but realized how wrong Iwas. It is amazing how fast the Japanese speak to each other, and I was grateful to all of thepeople who spoke slowly.
Every family member was kind and encouraging. If I didn’t understand, dictionaries
would be pulled out or they would attempt to speak English. Fortunately, my host sister, なおさん, could speak English and I was often able to ask her for help. Because she came to Oregon
with a group of exchange students, we shared a special bond. I had been a host sister to one ofher friends, かりんさん, and came to the group classes when I had the chance. Knowing なお
helped me connect with her family and I started to find myself taking every chance I could tospend time with them. After walking home from school, I would watch TV with my younger
brother じょのすけさん and whoever else was in the room. Family members would do theirown thing until dinner-time. It was a rule in the house that everyone ate together when they
could, and even the grandparents would join in occasionally.

-1-MNCC Japan Homestay 2017

I started my trip out with a small understanding of the language and culture but witheveryone’s help I learned more and more. Their culture is different and unique from theAmerican culture and the family, teachers, students and friends all taught me new words orcustoms. In exchange, I taught them everything I could. Together the family and I madepancakes, and the grandma taught me how to make かきあげ – which I loved. At school, thetwo homeroom teachers came up with a homework assignment that allowed us to share piecesof our cultures. My classmates, けんとさん, りこさん and なおさん made posters of things
in Japan and things in いずみ. I made a poster of things in America as well as things in my city,
Silverton. Even though it was difficult I tried to explain in Japanese so they could understand.

Spending time with the family and friends gave me a wonderful experience. I went towatch なおさん’s dance practice and watched both なおさん and まなさん play tennis. Atnight, I would stay up late to relax “ごろん” with the family and spend time with the mother,father and grandparents. I loved the welcome party they had for me– lots of food and laughswere shared. Explaining my life to them was entertaining; I’m not the best at speaking
Japanese, but I tried and they recognized that.
-2-MNCC Japan Homestay 2017

Everyone was so giving - they gave me gifts when I was expecting none and they let meborrow an extra school uniform they had. It had a few missing pieces such as a ribbon andshoes but they bought them for me. Something that warmed my heart was when the dad
hand-made a name plate for the uniform when I was excited about having the ability to evenwear a uniform. Without fail, the mom and grandmother made sure I had everything I needed
and every family member reminded me of my own family. They showed me love in their own
unique way. The teachers taught me as one of their own students and the students acceptedme as a friend. Because everyone welcomed me into their lives I had a wonderful experience.
-3-

MNCC Japan Homestay 2017

I’m glad to have met them and I can say with certainty that I won’t forget the experiences weshared.

-4-

MNCC Japan Homestay 2017