World Campus International Blog » Our participants

Good Bye Session 1 2010

Thomas Greve — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:54:27 +0000

Before I start, I would like to say that for World Campus – Japan, starting on June 5^th was something knew we want to implement from now on, that way our participants can go back home to summer jobs after having a few weeks in Japan. With that said, since it was the first time we were starting early this summer, only a few people got the opportunity to come. 5 People, 5 of the most different personalities and backgrounds I’ve ever seen.

Lu, from New Jersey with Chinese background; Yoli, Mexican-American; Kyle, tall, white, blue eyed American guy; Daniel from Luxemburg who was born in Switzerland and Ming, American with Chinese, African-American and Native American background. In Session One of World Campus – Japan 2010, we shared a lot of experiences and built up a lot of memories together like, ringing the biggest bell in the World in the City of Arao, Visiting Jikei Hospital and Kumamoto Castle in the City of Kumamoto and talking to a survivor from the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb in the City of Hiroshima.

Thanks to everyone who made Session #1 possible. For you, readers out there, please keep visiting the blog to read the stories of Session #2 in Nagasaki with the visit to the peace museum and the talk with a survivor from the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb and Uda (Nara Prefecture) with the visit to Big Budda in the City of Nara.

Feeling the history around us

Thomas Greve — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:30:21 +0000

Kumamoto Castle was one of our first “authentic” Japanese experiences. It was our first chance to see a history much older than the opportunities available in America. We were standing, exploring and talking in a building older than anything in my home country. Although it sounds Cliché, I couldn’t help but feel that if walls could talk, this castle would teach me things I couldn’t even imagine or comprehend. The experience went past the artifacts we looked at, or the history we read. From the moment you entered the castle, you could FEEL the history around you. It was so much more than the feeling you got from a field trip, or a sightseeing trip. It was an opportunity to feel history.

After the castle a group of us decided to continue our tradition seeking adventure with…KARAOKE!!!!! Although they have Karaoke in the United States, it is nothing like the Japanese experience. Although we only had an hour (30 min. which of was spent on Lady Gaga?…) we sang, we laughed, and we had a few drinks. A true Karaoke experience in my opinion!

Karaoke experience was a perfect warm-up for dinner. LOC Members, World Campus – Japan Members, and even our Udon Sensei joined us for the evening. We found a nice dinner location in the center of town. I began the dinner with confidence, but was quickly impressed by Miki, who ‘Kanpai-ed’ me under the table! There was lots of laughter, and too much fun, but the best part was the ease in which people who from different countries, and backgrounds communicated.

The personal day in Kumamoto, was anything but. It quickly became about the group, and learning about one another. Instead of worrying about your own good time, it focused on enjoying the company of others. This night in Kumamoto, I will never forget.

(Kyle McElroy from USA)

First night down, many more to go!

Thomas Greve — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:26:53 +0000

Lu and Kyle were part of a very excited group of people that had the opportunity to meet the night of June 5^th at the Manda Mine Museum in Arao, Japan. Host families were nervous but excited to bring home a new daughter or son, and finally the work the LOC (Local Organizing Committee) has been doing for a long time, is paying off, as you can all see on the picture above.

Host families can be very diverse, sometimes we go from having just a single mom to having a young family with two babies and a pet. It makes us understand who they are and their very own family culture. Thanks for hosting us and making us feel part of the family.

Our first night was now done, many more are coming our way and the excitement keeps growing as the time passes by. We’ll keep sharing our experiences with all of you readers. Stay tuned!

Summer 2010 staff members are ready, are you ready?

Thomas Greve — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:18:52 +0000

After hours and hours of traveling from our home countries and cities, we finally made it to Arao, Japan. Tired? Yes. Jet lagged? Yes, Excited? Yes.
We spent a good amount of time getting ready and prepping everything for your amazing tour. All we need now is for all of you participants to get here so we can let the adventure begin.
Get excited, get packed… We are waiting for you. Are you ready?

Yui, Jake, Bertha, Hiro, Hideto and Celi,
Your staff members.

Meet Yui Mihara from Japan in Summer 2010!

Thomas Greve — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:27:59 +0000

Konnichiwa!

My name is Yui Mihara and I’m the Assistant General Manager for the 2010 summer program. I will work closely to other managers to assist their areas, assisting logistics and will be the interpreter on the road. I come from Osaka, Japan where I was born and grew up.

This is my 1^st time to work for WCI and I’m so thrilled to meet all new people, share the experience and discover my own country. I know that I will learn a lot about my own culture from the people we’ll meet, places we’ll visit and I’m very excited for the new challenges I will face.

I’ve been enjoying nothing better than working in an international environment for last 9 years; international school in Osaka for 6 years where I was responsible for operating several programs, admission, accounting and being a mediater between teachers and parents. I left home in 2007 to work for another organization called Up With People where I taught dance and coordinated a production with international group of people and had an opportunity to travel various countries for several years.

I love traveling, dance and movies. Meeting and working with people has always been and will always be something I pursue in my life. I enjoy getting inspired from people and having an impact on each other.

I can’t wait to meet each of you and get to know the individuals this summer. If you are still looking for something to delight your life, join this adventure with us!

(Yui Mihara – Assistant General Manager in the Summer ‘10 Road Team)

Meet Celiana Dolovitz from Venezuela in Summer 2010!

Thomas Greve — Sun, 16 May 2010 02:12:16 +0000

Hola,
My name is Celiana Dolovitz, my friends call me Celi. I will be the External Relations Manager for the 2010 Summer program, responsible for all types of media, including social networks and everything that has to do with external activities and postings. I am from Venezuela but i have been living in Mexico for a year now.

I went to school for Graphic Design and Marketing / Advertising and have been working in International environments for the last eight years, where I learned the beauty of cultures and how much I love traveling and meeting people from other countries.

World Campus International is giving me the opportunity to get to know people from different countries and share my culture while I travel through beautiful Japan creating great relationships with the group I will travel with and with the people from the places we will visit.

Can’t wait to start and meet you all.

(Celiana Dolovitz – External Relations Manager in the Summer ‘10 Road Team)

Meet Berthalina Hernandez from Mexico in Summer 2010!

Thomas Greve — Fri, 14 May 2010 05:45:07 +0000

Hola!

My name is Berthalina and I am the Education Manager for the World Campus International Summer ’10 program. I am originally from Mexico, but for the last decade I’ve made Colorado my home.

This is my third year involved with World Campus – Japan and I can honestly say that it is a priviledge and honor to be a part of this amazing program once again. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to travel with a wonderful group of people from all over the world and experience Japan’s amazing culture once more.

I am thrilled to be able to combine two of my greatest passions: travel and education. Being a member of organizations such as Up with People, Sister Cities International and World Campus International, has opened many doors which have allowed me to travel the globe and experience a variety of cultures in unique and meaningful ways.

In Colorado, I teach English as a second language (ESL) to high school students from a variety of countries all over the world. I LOVE my job! As an ESL teacher, not only do I get to go to “work” by making a difference in children’s lives, but also learn and discover new things every single day… Plus, I also get an entire summer off to take advantage of opportunities like this one!

I cannot wait to have the chance to get to know each and every one of the participants and community members involved with our tour this summer. Believe me, this will be a life-changing experience for everyone involved in this great program and I am ecstatic to share this adventure with all of you!

(Berthalina Hernandez – Education Manager in the Summer ‘10 Road Team)

Meet Jay Kinsel from USA in Summer 2010!

Thomas Greve — Wed, 12 May 2010 04:11:50 +0000

Hello,

My name is Jay Kinsel, but most people call me Jake. I will be returning to World Campus International this summer for my third time as your Production Manager. I am from the great state of Texas but I have been living in Colorado for the better part of 16 years.

I can’t begin to express how excited I am to return to a country as unique and inspiring as Japan and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with World Campus International again. I look forward to the countless stories that we will write together.

Along with assisting everyday needs during the tour, I am responsible for producing and teaching our Arigato Event at the end of each city. I have a BFA in Theatre from Stephen F Austin University in Texas, USA. I am excited about the opportunities that our event gives us to really connect and communicate with the communities we encounter.

Currently I am a teacher in Colorado while I work to open a soccer facility in the area. After theatre, soccer is my second great love and if you have a hard time finding me at home, you can surely find me on the field doing my best not to grow up too quickly. When I’m not

I love to travel to, learn about, and experience as many places as I possibly can and World Campus International has given me the chance to do those things and more. More importantly, I have developed friendships and memories that will shape my life forever.

The journey we are about to begin will be added to the experiences that define us. I can’t wait to get to know each and every one of you as we take each step through the summer.

(Jay Kinsel – Production Manager in the Summer ‘10 Road Team)

WCI Summer 2009 Program alumnus, Ashwin Ramjiawan, writes a WCI article in Leiden University, the Netherlands

Thomas Greve — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:28:56 +0000

Please download the Journal article in Dutch: Journal-5-Ashwin.pdf (5 MB)

World Campus International – Japan
A unique experience in Japan

Hello! My name is Ashwin. Currently I am a third year undergraduate of Japanese Studies and also a proud third year member of the beautiful student society, Tanuki. Last summer, I experienced Japan via World Campus International; a non-profit organization which coordinates a program in Japan every year for students from all over the world. This program has changed me as a student, as person and as a citizen of the world, and I am here to tell you why!

The International Aspect

When I first joined the World Campus International group in Omura (Nagasaki-ken), I was the only Dutch in a group full of strangers. I felt alone. I didn’t know any of those people, and to be honest, I was a little bit uncomfortable thinking that I would be spending most of my time with a bunch them. Those feelings vanished fast after the first day. Over a short period of time, I talked, laughed, cried, shared all kinds of thoughts and emotions, sang and even danced so much with these “strangers”. Each and every one of them conquered a special place in my heart and I now call them friends. I still speak to most of them via Facebook, Skype and chat. Some have even come to visit me in the Netherlands. It still seems strange and mind-boggling to state that I have friends from all over the world! But after my experience with WCI Japan last summer, I cannot deny it or say it in any other way. I became friends with people from Mexico, Denmark, China, Korea, the USA, Canada, Italy, Austria, Norway, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Myanmar and Japan of course. Together we discussed worldly issues such as international relations (Japan – America, for instance), topics about Japan (the Japanese school system, culture, music, etc.) and issues about the country were each of the participants were from. In my case, I got to share the Netherlands and its culture (Huis den Bosch, the Dutch drug policy, bicycles, and stroopwafels.) Ideas were shared, emotions were expressed and jokes were told within a close group of people from different countries and a variety of cultures. It was a unique experience for me to see so many nationalities together sharing the same passion… Japan!

The Japanese Aspect

Meeting these people from different backgrounds was an extraordinary surprise for me. But my real intentions for going on this trip was to, of course, experience Japan. I participated in the full summer program of WCI, which consisted out of three sessions. Each session was two weeks, and each week we visited a different city or region of Japan. The cities I visited were: Omura (Nagasaki), Tama (Tokyo), Mito, Toride, Arao and Hiroshima. Each week I got to experience a different city, with different cultures, different people and different issues to talk about. For example, in Nagasaki and Hiroshima the topic of ‘Peace and Conflict’ was the main subject and the focus of our discussions. In Tama ‘Metropolitan Tokyo’ and ‘The Japanese School System’ were the themes of the city. Because I visited different communities, I created a more detailed image of the “real” Japan. I especially want to express my gratitude and appreciation to the people who introduced us to each city, the Local Organizing Committees (LOC’s) and the invaluable host families.

Every participant was introduced to a different host family in each of the cities World Campus visited. After each staggering yet demanding day participating in all kinds of, we would ultimately come ‘home’. I learned SO much about Japan and its amazing culture from my host families. I learned Kanji together with my host sister in Omura, discussed the impact of WWII and the Atomic Bombs with my host mother, host grandmother and host grandfather in Hiroshima, watched the whole Saiyajin-saga of Dragonball Z with my host brothers in Tama, and I learned about Japanese customs and traditions from my host mother in Mito. I still have contact with them via mail and they will forever hold a very special place in my heart. They are my family!

The Personal Aspect

Out of the seven days in each city, we spent approximately 4 days participating in a variety of WCI activities. We went to museums, explored the city, visited City Halls and met with mayors and governors, got an inside look of international companies such as Canon and ExxonMobil, worked with students in different schools, experienced history and much more. The activities varied in each city, because each community offers different attractions. We participated with the daily activities from 9 am until 5 pm each day, which was exhilarating and exhausting. Then it was nice to come ‘home’ every day to my host families place and enjoy some great times together.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the activities we were involved in, the ones that struck me most were the visit to the A-bomb museum in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and my first visit to Tokyo.

As participants of WCI we didn’t only had the opportunity to visit both Peace Museums, but we also had the grand opportunity to listen to the stories of the effects of the Atomic Bombs directly from two survivors who experienced this devastating event first hand, one in Nagasaki and one in Hiroshima. As I listened to their stories, I felt I was touching history with my bare hands. Despite the fact that the A-bombs fell 65 years ago in Nagasaki and in Hiroshima, hearing the stories and visiting being in the place where it all happened made it seemed so close and real that it scared me. It made me see the whole experience from a different perspective.

On the other side of the spectrum was my experience visiting the capital of Japan. Tokyo is an awesome city! When I got off the train in Shinjuku, I fell in love with the town, and after visiting Akihabara I didn’t want to leave Tokyo ever again… the fast way of living, the chaos, the noise, the craziness!. Through WCI we met students from Chuo University, who introduced us to the most interesting spots in Tokyo. They took us to places like Izakaya, shops, food joints and even maid cafes. It was unique and a fun experience to discover Tokyo with these students from Chuo University and see it as more than tourists.

Also, between each session every participant had four days of free time. So during that time I got go where ever I wanted and visit places the tour didn’t go to, like Kyoto.

Coming together

World Campus International gave me a wonderful learning experience. Together with the other participants from different nationalities, I learned about Japan. I learned something new about a specific Japanese city or area each week, I learned about other countries and cultures. But above all, I learned so much about myself. At the each week, all three elements came flawlessly together: The Arigatou Evento- One of the most outstanding and, for me, one of the most amusing activities of the WCI program. At the end of our visit in each community, every WCI participant participates in a small performance as our way to say ‘thank you’ to the LOC’s and the host families for all their hard work and generosity. We performed, danced, sang and played games with the audience while giving them an image of what we learned during our stay in their city. As part of the “event”, we introduced our native languages and bits and pieces of our cultures, we sang Ponyo and other Japanese hits together. I beat boxed a beat while two Chinese friends rapped and sang, and a Japanese friend played his shamisen. It is very difficult to describe this event properly. In order to fully understand what I mean, you have to experience WCI yourself!

And that is possible! The organization is looking for participants for this summer’10 program who are enthusiastic and who have a passion for Japan. You can join one or all five of the two week programs being offered in different areas of the country.

So, are you inspired by my story and/or are you interested in the program? Do you want to learn more? Do you want to have the experience of a lifetime and join World Campus International? Check www.worldcampus.org for more information, updates, personal stories, images and blogs.
Of course I’ve experienced more in Japan than described here. So check my blog at: www.handsup4japan.blogspot.com for many more details.

On behalf of World Campus International,

Ashwin Ramjiawan
Alumnus of World Campus International Summer 2009

CEO’s March 2010 visit to the Nordic countries

Thomas Greve — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:22:46 +0000

World Campus International, Inc. CEO, Hiro Nishimura visited Copenhagen University, Copenhagen Business School and Roskilde University in Denmark from March 1 to March 3, 2010. He continued to Finland to visit Itäkeskuksen Lukio, Helsingin Kuvataidelukio and Helsingin Yhtenäiskoulu in Helsinki from March 4 to March 6, 2010.

Hiro Nishimura presented WC-J Program to Roskilde university students

World Campus – Japan Program Alumni, Lily Ha (Summer’08) and Torsten Sigvertsen (Summer’09) arranged a WC-J Program Presentation to their follow students @ Copenhagen University

Hiro met with Lisbeth Clausen, Associate Professor, PhD, Department of Intercultural Communication and Management, Copenhagen Business School

Christian Damgaard (Summer’08 alumnus) and Danni Nielsen (Danish enrollment counselor) presented WC-J program to their fellow students at University of Roskilde

WC-J Program Presentation in the Japanese Class @ Itäkeskuksen lukio

Ms. Kaija Kumpukallio, the Guidance Counselor of Itäkeskuksen Lukio

Ms. Krista Kindt-Sarojärvi, the Vice Principal of Helsingin Yhtenäiskoulu

WC-J Presentation to the interested students @ Helsingin Kuvataidelukio

Ms. Sari Vahtera, the Guidance Counselor of Helsingin Kuvataidelukio

World Campus – Japan Program presentation in Liechtenstein!

Thomas Greve — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:12:26 +0000

On December 9^th, with the CEO of WCI, Hiro Nishimura’s visit, World Campus – Japan alumni, Rachel Anderegg (Spring ’09) and Philip Hetjens (Spring ’09) spoke their program experience to the fellow students at the Hochschule Liechtenstein in Vaduz. This presentation was organized by the Study Abroad Advisor, Mirjana Matic-Schadler in the International Office of the university. Over ten motivated students participated in this event. We hope to see many of them participating in the Summer 2010 program.

WCI Alumni explain the value of the program!

Thomas Greve — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:00:49 +0000

On December 8^th, Three of the WCI alumni in Zurich area, Cyrill Gross (Spring ’08,) Yannick Farrell (Spring ’08) and Catherine Thuerig (Summer ’08) joined in the program presentation facilitated by Hiro Nishimura, CEO of WCI, and spoke their World Campus – Japan Program experience and the value of the program at HWZ University of Applied Sciences Zurich.

World Campus International presents the 2010 program to the students in The University of Leiden

Thomas Greve — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:00:29 +0000

On December 2^nd, 2009, World Campus – Japan program alumnus, Ashwin Ramjiawan presented the program to his fellow students at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. He explained his real program experience and the benefits and value of the program to the university students. Over 20 Leiden students attended the presentation and showed their interests to participate in the 2010 program.

Where Our World Campus – Japan Participants Are From:

Thomas Greve — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:50:47 +0000

Visit Worldcampus Alumni around the World on a bigger map.

WCI presents in the Copenhagen Business School

Thomas Greve — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:00:22 +0000

On December 1^st, 2009, the CEO of World Campus International, Inc. , Hiro Nishimura, and three alumni, Maria Lisberg (Summer ’09), Torsten Sigvertsen (Summer ’09) and Lily Ha(Summer ’08 & Spring ’09) presented the World Campus – Japan Program to the students of the Copenhagen Business School. It was inspiring for the interested university students to hear the real experience stories from the alumni of WCI.