When World Campus – Japan Participants crossed those doors we could already feel the positive energy in the air, around 400 handicap people and about 200 volunteers helping to [...]]]>

Fureai Event was celebrating 10 years. It was the year 2000 when they started with this amazing celebration for physically and mentally handicap people.

When World Campus – Japan Participants crossed those doors we could already feel the positive energy in the air, around 400 handicap people and about 200 volunteers helping to make that afternoon, the best one ever for them, at the end ended up not being the best only for them but also for all of us volunteering.

Age or language were not important, just giving yourself like they do to everyone. What you see is what you get, nothing less, nothing more, they give themselves exactly as they are, honest and free. That day we learned
from handicap people how to be truly genuine, best lesson ever.

Our time in the school was very well scheduled by the principal [...]]]>

Takematsu Elementary was the school World Campus – Japan has the opportunity to share a complete day interacting with the kids that someday will become the leaders of Japan, or at least the leaders of the community of Omura, Nagasaki.

Our time in the school was very well scheduled by the principal of the school and the head teachers, who were very happy to have us there, not only because they knew their kids would love it but also because they know that learning about other cultures is something very important for the complete development of the kids, as kids, as people and as future part of a great community.

For us was a great learning experience. We learn about discipline, respect and most important: the culture of support and understanding the kids develop in Japanese Schools.

We [...]]]>

Today, we started our 4^th day of the program with Nagasaki’s beautiful rain. Actually, at this moment it’s rainy season in japan especially in Kyushu island areas, it rains a lot. Although, it was heavy rain, it couldn’t prevent us enjoying today’s special event, one of the Japanese martial arts: Shorinji Kempo.

We started our day with the introduction about shorinji kempo and its history by Omura city’s proffesional master who has been practicing it for more than 20 years. Shorinji kempo is a discipline that develops individuals with 3 benefits: self defense, spiritual cultivation & health improvement. One of the wonderful life-long lesson that I learned is the quote by Doushin, the founder of Shorinji Kempo.

“Half for one’s own happiness, and half for the happiness of others” (半ばは自分の幸せを、半ばは他人の幸せを) doshin.

Personally, it was my first time to experience the Japanese unique martial art, shorinji kempo, where you don’t fight for winning or breaking down the opponent but only for self-defense, thinking and acting with equal consideration for others, with Shorinji Kempo you learn to share your learning experience including the pain.

After lunch, One of the greatest moments of the day was experiencing the shorinji kempo. We learn the basic technics and tried to use them with the masters and students. It was great to see that its technic has little to do with how strong you are but how well you perfom them”

(Sean-ショーン – Uzbekistan)

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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 [...]]]>

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.”

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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 [...]]]>

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!!!

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 [...]]]>

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)

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Now that the 2009 summer tour is over and the blog posts are at an end, it is time to take one more look at each of our programs. We start with program 1, July 5 – July 22 in [...]]]>

Now that the 2009 summer tour is over and the blog posts are at an end, it is time to take one more look at each of our programs. We start with program 1, July 5 – July 22 in Omura and Tama. It was an intense and emotional program. We spent some time with a survivor of the atomic attack on Nagasaki, we took a day in each city to explore Japan’s education system, we were able to get to know some Japanese college students, and we saw, first hand some of the martial arts secrets of Sorinji. While everyone who was involved with World Campus International will have their own favorite moment, mine came when we visited a school for physically and mentally handicapped students. I was inspired and amazed at the strength of the students and faculty members. Take a look for yourself. This highlight video of summer 2009 program 1 will give everyone a taste of what World Campus – Japan does during our tours.

(Jay Kinsel, Production Manager)