World Campus International Blog » Mito City

Spring & Summer ‘09 Slide Shows published

Thomas Greve — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:05:26 +0000

The Spring & Summer Slide Shows of most of our partner cities are now available on the “Konichiwa from Japan”-section of our Website. Please take a look!!!

Our World Campus – Japan Summer 2009 version of Love Me Tender

Thomas Greve — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:50:34 +0000

Video: Love Me Tender

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If you have been following our program or our blog, you have no doubt heard about our “Arigato Event.” Performed near the end of each of our stays, the event is a way for us to say Thank You to the communities and host families who have worked so hard to bring us into their world. These communities do most of the work needed to make World Campus International a success. In each of our events, there is a section that highlights the talents and creativity of our participants. This summer we had some members who decided that their talents went better together than on their own. Having never met before the program, these participants put a little Elvis, some Sax, a vocal rhythm track, a traditional Japanese instrument, and a world class voice together to create this amazing rendition of the classic, “Love Me Tender.”

Through Meghan’s Eyes

Thomas Greve — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:01:12 +0000

Video: Through Meghan’s Eyes

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Over the past few weeks, we have given everyone a glimpse into the World Campus — Japan program. You have heard a lot about what we do and how we felt as we did it. We now want to let you hear one of our participant’s thoughts after she returned to the “real” world. Meghan Kuts participated in program 1 and 2 of the WCI Summer 09 tour. She made this video a little more than a month after she returned home. Take a look!!!

Looking Back – Summer 2009 Program 2

Thomas Greve — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:02:49 +0000

WCI summer 2009 program 2 video

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Summer 2009 Program 2 was about relationships. World Campus International said good bye to some important pieces of our puzzle and welcomed in some new participants that would prove invaluable to success. Participants from all over the globe pulled together to become more than a team, they became like family. The participants said hello and goodbye to two more host families in Mito and Toride. They had the chance to speak to the mayors and the vice governor of Ibaraki prefecture and see Japan from the eyes of its leaders. They took a day hike through the beautiful Japanese countryside while getting to know a lot of people on a personal level. The group teamed up with host families to fly strings of 35+ kites. However, the most talked about day of the program was a day spent with the young employees of Exxon Mobil. Through artful facilitation and creative communication, the World Campus – Japan members and the Exxon Mobil employees experienced a day that changed many perceptions from both groups. Take a look for yourself, you will surely get a taste of WCI through these pictures.

(Jay Kinsel, Production Manager)

A Reflection on World Campus International Summer 2009 Tour!

Thomas Greve — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:00:31 +0000

Okay, wow. First of all, traveling with World Campus International this summer was my first trip outside of Europe and my first trip alone for more than 2 weeks. At first I was a little bit scared. Who will I meet and what will the program be like? Of course I read a lot about the program on the website, but still I could only create an image, which might be different from the real thing… and it was different. All the people I met there were so friendly and open! I am now back in my country called Holland and only now I realize what kind of people I met there and how they changed my whole lifestyle and way of thinking.

I completed all three programs of World Campus International this summer. I visited 6 different cities, lived with 7 different host families and each stay was an experience on its own. I met friends in Japan with the same interests as me, friends with the same passion, friends with a different way of thinking and friends with other customs. I never thought I would meet such a variety of people! Even when I met more than one person from one country, none of them had the same personality or interests. That was the beautiful part of the diversity I encountered. For me, I did not just meet people from Taiwan, Norway, China or Japan; no, I met people who became good friends. I never ever thought that I would get so close to the people I met in the World Campus – Japan program.

The life in Japan I lived was so different from the life I lead in Holland. Not only because it took place in Japan, but also because I was immersed in the World Campus – Japan life. At times we had a busy schedule and I was tired from the program, but it was all worth it. The things I have seen and experienced, shaped my imagination and helped me form opinions on matters like education, international relations and the role of media within the society. Also, my thoughts on different food, customs and languages. Personally, it was weird to speak English every day, but the more I talked with my friends, the more I became accustomed to it. Not only did I learn English, I picked up a little Japanese, Chinese, some Korean and even some New Jersey slang.

I have gained so much. Now, I am sitting in my chair in my house in Holland looking at pictures and videos from the program, reliving the moments. I am trying to reflect on the whole program, but I am still in Japan with my thoughts. I cannot reflect on my experiences if I am still there, can I? When I look at all the pictures and videos, I have come to realize that the time in Japan, which I enjoyed to the fullest, is over.

It might seem sad that the end of the program came. But, it is not the end of World Campus (cliché, but true). I am staying in contact with my new friends on Facebook and mail (people who are reading this and have no Facebook; get Faaaaaaaaaaacebooooooooook!) and I talk to them about everything and nothing as if we were never separated from each other. I think making connections with new people is the focus of World Campus International. Because, truthfully, the program would never have turned out the way it did without the people who were participated.

Thank you for this wonderful time and experience. See you soon!

(Ashwin Ramjiawan, Holland)

Good-bye Mito, Hello Toride!

Thomas Greve — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:06:28 +0000

Saying goodbyes have really been my least favorite part of the journey, which made yesterday a hard day. I had a great time in Mito. But just like life, people come and go, and I needed to move on. We got on the bus and said farewell to our host families, while many kids (host brothers and sisters) chased our bus for a long long distance, which actually made most of us cry.

We stopped twice during the bus trip, one time for a stop in a outlet shopping area and one time for a quick visit to a big famous statue of Buddha, which was huge! Then we moved on to Toride, where the Local Organizing Committee was already there waiting for us. Then WCI members were introduced to our new host families. It was really hard saying goodbye to a host family and adapting directly to a new one in such a short period of time. But my new host family is awesome too (my host sister, the 9-year old girl, can speak both English and Chinese and there is another exchange student from New Zealand living in this family!). I believe that my last week in Japan will be wonderful.

(Chong Li, China)

Crafts Making Day and Good-bye Party in Mito!

Thomas Greve — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:59:57 +0000

For the last activity day in Mito, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) threw a goodbye party for the World Campus International members. Some of us were cooking meals from our countries, and some of us were partaking in Japanese arts and crafts, including making “misanga”, a braided bracelet or anklet worn for good luck, cell phone charms, a memo holder, and newspaper flower corsages.

As part of the cooking group, I was in the kitchen, with some of the LOC and Ibaraki University students. I was making Coca Cola Chicken (that’s right – Coca Cola) as a sous chef, and other dishes included Pasta Penne with mushroom/spinach/chicken sauce, a beef-noodle dish (mushy but yummy), Berthalina from Mexico made guacamole and salsa as dips for tortilla chips. Lastly, the LOC made chicken curry for our potluck.

Of course, everything turned out really delicious, and by noon we were ready to kick off the party. It was really cool to see everybody having fun and eating and shouting “Oishii!” everywhere, that was a nice way to say thank you to the host families. Afterward all of the host families presented a homemade sign with some personal writings on them, it was very touching. We also celebrated Ashwin’s (Holland) birthday (21! Congrats!). The day ended with a discussion among WCI members about stereotypes.

It was a great day! I went home completely exhausted, and now I’m ready for the next two more personal days (I’m going to the beach! )

(Maria Lisberg, Denmark)

Arigato Evento in Mito city!!

Thomas Greve — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:50:53 +0000

Today, WCI members had a great opportunity to show their gratitude for people who were involved and helped our program in Mito. It was a fun event that offered the chance to share various cultural features of many countries, things that WCI members learned throughout the program, and also to have valuable interactions and experiences with host families and people in Mito city.

Visit to a Senior Citizens Home

Thomas Greve — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:00:38 +0000

Sakura Sakura ya yo Ino Sora-wami watasu kagiri…
The lyrics seem to regularly echo in my mind. It evokes my memory of the day when we visited Wateri-suzuran-en, a remarkable senior citizen center in Mito city.

It was my first encounter with Japanese senior citizens. At the beginning, I was worried about the event and a perfect day wasn’t really what I was thinking about. But today, World Campus International members received a good opportunity for a special visit at the Watari-suzuran-en, where we met some fabulous senior ladies and gentleｍen．

The day was awesome: from Origami to Calligraphy, from singing Sakura to performing Ganbare Nippon for them．At the end of the day, the wonderful lady seated in a wheelchair moved to the center of the room. With her best effort, she sincerely attempted to read a thank you letter, moving us to tears. We all felt so wonderful when the day was done, and I just felt like this whole world of friendship and possibilities have been opened up to us. That was the moment when I realize that the people in Watari-suzuran-en won a place in our hearts.

One Love.

(Aruminingsih, Indonesia)

Sports Day with Mito Host Families

Thomas Greve — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:46:55 +0000

I got out of bed after only 2 hours of sleeping so today, I was really tired. But also I was so happy with many exciting and interesting activities with my team and host family. I hiked around Shizen no ie in Mito city for a prize. Even though we were the last group to arrive at the finish line, it was really fun and a great time to get to know the other team members. After that, I had a wonderful lunch with team members on the lawn and then I played soccer with kids who were really energetic. It was a very memorable time for me and I want to thank all the people who gave me such a great time today!

(Sangjun Shin, South Korea)

A Day of Fun and Learning in Mito City

Thomas Greve — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:45:08 +0000

Today, World Campus – Japan members along with the Mito City LOC, host families, and members of the community in the Furesia Center in Mito City enjoyed a day of fun and learning. “Furesia” is a combination of the Japanese characters for ‘interaction’ and ‘happiness’, and today’s activities matched that sentiment. The morning started with a presentation on the art of flower making using carved and peeled radishes. Three gentlemen from the Committee for the Preservation of Radish Flower Making demonstrated their skills by making three different flowers for everyone to see. Radish Flower Making is a Japanese tradition going back 150 years, and it was wonderful to see this beautiful art and also to know that this committee is working hard to keep the tradition alive in Japan.

Afterwards, WCI members got together with host families and community members to learn and participate in Japanese style arts and sports, including pottery, washie, fukiya and shodou. All of our sensei’s were masters of their craft and very helpful to us all. We had a lot of fun while learning so much about Japanese culture, and spending time with the community. The day ended with a fantastic demonstration of Japanese drum dancing, and we even were able to wear costumes and participate in the dance! WCI then thanked the Furesia Center and all the participants by performing a medley of songs. All the WCI members hope that through these songs, we were able to convey our appreciation for such a wonderful day. Thank you to everyone!!

(Meghan Kutz, U.S.A.)

Prepping for Arigato Event!

Thomas Greve — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:23:03 +0000

After arriving in Mito for just a couple of days, it is time to prepare for the Arigato Evento! Today, in addition to learning the entire rundown of the event, both new and old members endured an intense rehearsal.

Raymon Cheng (USA) said, “With no experience in any dancing or singing, the practice was a bit challenging. But I feel at the end, it is going to be well worth it. The Arigato Evento is going to be exciting and beautiful and I can’t wait.”

The World Campus – Japan Summer ‘09 Program 2 Participants and Road Staff

Thomas Greve — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:52:11 +0000

We’re in Mito City!

Thomas Greve — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:16:14 +0000

Now WCI participants have started the 2^nd program of WCI for this summer in Mito city, which has many beautiful parks and special historical backgrounds. In the morning, they had an introduction of Mito city with the members of the local organizing committee and after lunch, a guest speaker taught about some history and famous people of Mito city such as Mitsukuni Mito. Then they went to Kairakuen and Koudoukan where they enjoyed the great mix of traditional housings and beautiful gardens. WCI members are getting excited to learn more about Mito city!!

Visiting the Mito Nuclear Power Plant

Thomas Greve — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:13:36 +0000

In Denmark we do not use nuclear energy at all and are generally highly against the use of nuclear energy, but I thought it sounded exciting to visit Japan’s oldest nuclear power plant in Mito city and learn more about the use of nuclear energy. Apparently about 30% of Japan’s energy resources come from nuclear energy and there are 55 nuclear power plants spread out all over Japan.

The day before we actually visited the Nuclear power plant, we were divided into two large groups, and here we discussed what we actually knew or thought we knew about the use of nuclear energy. We had a wrap up at the end, and the two groups presented what they had discussed. This gave a good insight to the topic and we had some good discussions.

The following day we visited Japan’s first nuclear power plant, which was built in 1966. First we were driven by bus to a museum-like building where we had a very interesting lecture by Dr. Keizo Takahashi. He told us how the nuclear power plant works and how the energy is produced and distributed (See the illustration above). He also told us his perspective on the pros and cons of nuclear power, although it was obvious that he supported the use of nuclear power. One of the pros is that it does not produce CO2 and therefore does not contribute to global warming, which is a big global concern at the moment. The main problem with the use of nuclear power is the waste disposal, because Uranium continues to stay radioactive for many decades. It is hard to dispose of the nuclear waste in an environmentally friendly way. Apparently Sweden has found a way to dispose of their nuclear waste, but the system is very hard to copy for other nations due to their natural resources.

Another problem is the rare, but catastrophic nuclear accidents, like Chernobyl in 1986. It literally affected millions of people for several generations, so the safety precautions must be at its highest! Uranium, which is the dangerous and radioactive element, is not artificially made, but it is a natural resource, and Canada is by far has the greatest exporter of Uranium in the world.

After lunch we discussed the use of atomic bombs, which countries possessed it and general questions regarding this topic. It was very exciting to learn more about this, but at the same time shocking to hear how little impact the inspections have and how relatively small the fines are for offending countries.

Later on, we were given a tour of the nuclear facility, which was exciting. We also saw a proton accelerator, which was still under construction.

The world’s energy resources is running out, for example will the worlds coal reserves be emptied in 150 years if we continue like we do now. Is nuclear power an alternative? I must admit, that I have a hard time deciding…

(Anders Schaumann, Denmark)