A video blog by the World Campus — Japan participant Christine Chung.

Since I came off the plane, people in Japan have been so wonderful to me. The locals have showed me where to go and how to get there even though communication has been difficult at times. I have come to realize how helpful the Japanese people really are. If you are in trouble or lost, they will find a way to help you regardless of any language barriers.

So far I have made many friends and I’m certain we will remain in contact long after this tour is over. I have also become really close with my host family, the Omori clan. They are the nicest people in the world. They remind me of my own family in the United States, always happy and joking around. They said that my roommate and I are a part of the family now, so we can ask and have anything we want. There are so kind!

One unforgettable memory that I have in this new world so far was visiting a forest filled with fireflies. They only light up for a short amount of time before they disappear. There was a pleasant summer breeze that only enhanced the serene atmosphere of that evening. It was such a beautiful moment in such a strange land.

However, the most touching experience so far for me in Japan was at a mentally handicapped facility in Ueda City. We played games with the patients, including with a small softball, soccer, and a number of other traditional Japanese games. I even tried walking on bamboo sticks, which is a lot more difficult than it looks. They gave us handmade origami to show their respect and happiness towards us. It was truly a moving and rewarding experience for all of us.

It’s only the beginning with so much more to come this summer!

(Egan Gibson – Thompson, USA)

One of the most neglected parts of training for any group project might the most important. The ability to work and cooperate as a team is fundamental for success. In as much, the first couple of days of staff training focused on building internal team bonds. Of course, trust and camaraderie takes time but all of the staff is eager to learn and work with each other.

Currently, we are staying in a house in the city of Ueda, Nagano. Living in such close quarters is a little cramped sometimes but it also promotes if not forces intimacy. Nothing speaks of closeness quite like being awakened in the middle of the night by the snores of your fellow staff members. Trust must also be high before you should ask someone completely inept to cut your hair. Although I do not like to brag, I must say, I did an excellent job on Henning’s hair (Production Team Assistant). His hair is mostly even and he can still go outside, albeit wearing a baseball cap.

Naturally all teams have certain items that symbolize their membership and for this World Campus — Japan squad it is our matching cups and chopsticks. I am certain we will all treasure these as they represent our shared learning experience in this pleasant house. Plus they are happy, fun, and colorful which I believe indicative of the upcoming tour!

(Guang Yeung)

Honestly I’m not a person who is crazy about traveling around the world. But Japan is a special place I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. I am always asked what the main reason is for going to Japan and why I am so interested in this country.

I guess it’s probably because I was affected by “Animation” since I was a little kid. From then on I started to be interested in Japanese culture and its language. I never thought I could have my dream come true before I joined the World Campus International Japan program. Basically it is quite easy to get a couple of days travel to the place you are interested in, but when I joined this program I got something different. I do appreciate WCI makes this special tour for people. I got a great chance to learn not only Japanese culture but also sharing things and ideas with people from all over the world.

Summer is not my favorite season; it rains all the time and is severely humid with few fine days. We may have weather challenges during event or activity arrangements. But I’m coming back for this summer program to be part of an excellent team there. They are passionate, enthusiastic and creative. I do believe we can conquer any problems and make this program successful.

See you there guys!

(Dennis Xu - Education Assistant in the June - Aug. 08 Road Team)

Hola from Denver, Colorado!

I don’t have the appropriate words to express how thrilled and honored I am to be a member of the World Campus International 2008 Summer Tour! I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to experience Japan and its amazing culture for the the first time, as well as have the chance to get to know each and every one of the participants and community members involved with this WCI tour.

This summer I have been give the opportunity to combine two of my greatest passions: travel and education. Being a member of organizations such as Up with People, Sister Cities International and WCI, has opened many doors which have allowed me to travel the globe and experience a variety of cultures in unique and meaningful ways. Additionally, as the ESL coordinator for a high school here in Colorado, everyday I encounter the challenges and opportunities to OFFER my students the world. I get to be their teacher AND their pupil. I get to introduce them to the American life as well as share my Mexican culture and they in turn, teach us all in the class about their experiences, cultures and international backgrounds.

This will be a life-changing summer for every singe person involved in this great tour and I simply cannot wait to share this adventure with all of you! I am looking forward to meeting you all very soon!

(Berthalina Hernandez - Education Coordinator in the June - Aug. 08 Road Team)

Hello everyone!

It’s summer vacation for me from college life in Vermont, USA. I’m home in Tokyo, taking this opportunity to spend time with my much-missed friends and family, and to savor all those things I missed about Japan.

Even though a native, I find that learning about my culture is an endless and evermore exciting process of new discoveries. It’s been great, and as my joy builds up, so does my excitement for sharing this experience.

You might have guessed already at my fascination for different cultures. I love immersing myself in their colors and viewing life through their hues. Even a day with people I’ve known for years can bring in a fresh perspective. Living with host families and touring with each of you will surely be an enlightening summer!

I can’t wait for our tour together, and I look forward to meeting each of you. Have a safe trip!

(Yuki Yoshida - Public Relations Assistant in the June - Aug. 08 Road Team)

Hello to all the upcoming participants and community members taking part in the June 23 – August 11, 2008 tour! As you read this, I’m sitting here relaxing in the grass in front of my rural northern California home. With only a couple of weeks until the tour starts, I am very excited to be back in action in Japan, and taking part in all the wonderful activities planned for this next tour.

As a World Campus — Japan participant alumnus from the Summer 2007 tour, I’m very excited to return to our partner cities, especially to see friends and families that I met last year. To be able to return to the country of Japan is an exciting thought, but for me, what I look forward to the most at the start of my third tour with World Campus International, is to get to know the food, language and culture even better.

At times I wonder to myself what aspect of the journey is the most fulfilling, but all I can say to that is that if you want to know, you will have to wait and experience it all for yourself and decide. See you there!

(Cody Permenter - Production Coordinator in the June - Aug. 08 Road Team)

So here I am, once again there are only a few weeks left before I’m in Japan. While I’m packing my bags, there are a lot of thoughts running through my mind.

I’ll be moving in with a family I’ve never met before, hanging out with complete strangers and not speak Norwegian for at least two months.

Why is it that this is so appealing?

To me, it’s definitely the opportunity to learn more about all these people. It is true, they all start out as strangers, but it does not take long before they’re all family. I get to learn so much about my host familyʼs views on many things. Political issues being different in Japan is a given, but one can assume at least the food would be basically the same. But sometimes, they are a lot more different than anything else. The food is still very new to me. And half the time, even though I have no clue what I’m eating, it’s just so good. Sometimes it turns out to be made from something we regularly throw away in Norway. (like a dressing; made from fish skin)

And of course, I look forward to meeting the participants and staff as well. The learning opportunities are almost infinite. It’s a great feeling as I close my bag, packing much less than last time. When I come home, there will not only be memories and knowledge with me, but also souvenirs and clothes from this awesome culture. I can not wait!

(Henning Rodtwitt - Production Assistant in the June - Aug. 08 Road Team)

It has been less than one month since I left Japan, yet I cannot wait to return for the World Campus International (WCI) summer tour as a staff assistant. My experience as a participant during the spring program was truly rewarding and memorable. Intellectual exchange with peoples from extremely different backgrounds in the land of the rising sun was such a unique experience. The opportunities for such diverse cultural learning and sharing were really valuable to me.

Of course, I look forward to more opportunities for profound international exchanges, but on more selfish level I cannot wait to taste the delicious Japanese cuisine again. Just thinking about the fresh sushi has me drooling. Scrumptious foods, enriching discussions, and lasting friendships awaits us all in Japan!

(Guang Yeung – Public Relations Assistant in the June - Aug. 08 Road Team)

front page of the WCJ 2007 T-shirt

back page of the WCJ 2007 T-shirt