CHIBA –
A U.S. household took half in a Japanese college expertise program at a former college constructing in Chiba Prefecture, becoming a member of calligraphy, catastrophe drills, college lunch obligation and a sports activities day-style occasion in a six-hour program that has attracted greater than 200 international individuals because it started a couple of yr in the past.
The expertise started with a proper classroom greeting earlier than the household, recognized because the Tagishi household from the United States, joined their top quality: calligraphy. Participants practiced brush writing with critical expressions, whereas the eldest daughter, Hana, selected the character for flower. “I like fireworks, and I thought this character looked cool, so I wrote it,” she mentioned.
The program, held at a closed college in Chiba, will not be cheap at 35,000 yen per particular person, however organizers say greater than 200 international guests have taken half because the service started a couple of yr in the past. The program is carried out completely in English, with workers enjoying the roles of lecturers and classmates.
One participant mentioned the kids had been particularly involved in evaluating the varsity methods of Japan and the United States. The household wished to spend a day experiencing a Japanese college and see what was completely different and whether or not some elements is likely to be higher.
The program consists of greater than unusual classes. During an earthquake drill, the household placed on disaster-prevention hoods for the primary time and crouched beneath their desks. In the U.S. East Coast area the place the household is from, earthquakes are comparatively uncommon, and faculty drills are normally based mostly on fires.
“We have a lot of fire drills, probably about once a month,” one participant mentioned. “But over the past 10 years, there have been earthquakes near Washington, D.C., and New York, and most people were not prepared. That is why I think drills for various natural disasters are important.”
The household was particularly shocked by lunchtime. In the United States, college students usually don’t serve meals to 1 one other, however the household considered the Japanese system positively, saying it helps youngsters be taught cooperation and accountability. “I think it is a good experience because students can learn different roles,” one participant mentioned. “It is good that they learn to work together.”
The set menu, nevertheless, drew a extra cautious response. In the United States, college lunches usually supply many decisions, permitting college students to pick their very own meals. One participant mentioned that if everyone seems to be given the identical meal and somebody doesn’t prefer it, they could throw it away with out consuming it, whereas having choices might assist cut back leftovers.
In the afternoon, the individuals moved to the gymnasium for a sports activities day expertise. Split into two groups, they competed in occasions together with ball-tossing and tug-of-war. The household mentioned it was refreshing to see everybody participate in the identical competitors as members of assigned groups.
“There is nothing like a Japanese sports day in the United States,” one participant mentioned. “There are sporting events, but not everyone takes part. I think Japan’s sports day is a special community event.”
After working up a sweat of their first expertise of the occasion, individuals exchanged high-fives to reward each other’s efforts. At the tip, they acquired commencement certificates, bringing the roughly six-hour college expertise to a detailed.
“It was so much fun, and the time passed very quickly,” one participant mentioned. “We were able to do many different things, and it felt very fulfilling. Japan’s sports day was different from the way sports are done in the United States, and it gave us a real feel for the atmosphere of a Japanese school.”
Through the expertise, the household mentioned they observed that Japanese college schooling locations sturdy emphasis on cooperation. “American schools have a stronger sense of individualism, while Japanese schools place more importance on cooperation,” one participant mentioned. “Each has good points and bad points, and I think we can learn from both systems.”
Source: TOKYO MX NEWS