Arao City, City Life, City Theme Activities

Arao City Theme – Community Revitalization

Not only can the word revitalization be rather difficult to pronounce, the term is often equally as tough to explain. In the city of Arao, the World Campus — Japan participants were able to learn first-hand through daily activities at the cultural center including guest speakers such as Mayor of Arao, Mr. Junji Maehata, and his chief of revitalization, Mr. Junji Maezono, visits to Saiyoji Temple, Manda Coal mine and Shodai arts + crafts center.

As a method of looking closer at revitalization as a theme, WCI participants took one day to participate and learn from business owners and leaders in the community. According to the Mayor’s office, from an economic standpoint the businesses in the neighborhood represent such a large part of the cities motivation behind attempting to revitalize the community. Participants were divided into groups and worked along side owners in small restaurants and herb gardens, as well as a small winery. The day proved to be very effective and participants and business owners learned a lot from the cultural exchanges they shared.

Over the years, the city of Arao has gone from being a huge source of resource to merely a town known for its unique coal mine history. Revitalization has become so important due to the change in universal energy source from coal to petroleum. The well-known coal-mine, which once not only provided energy to the town, also provided employment to many Arao citizens. Once the coal mine closed, citizens and their families moved to near by towns to find work and a new life.

As a native Chicagoan, I was exceptionally interested in revitalization as a theme. As Chicago moves toward the next Olympic bid, I am constantly surprised at the amount of revitalizing our local government does in order to gain the nomination. Although revitalization speaks of changing from a local perspective, it is a theme used globally in communities worldwide.

Our participants which currently in this session represent over 10 countries and 5 continents shared similar sentiments about their communities. It seems as though globalization is a main factor for communities around the world attempting to revitalize or renew their communities peeking the interest of other and renew the pride in current citizens.

(Faith L. Walls, the United States of America)

Presentation Tours

WCI visit to Europe

Gent

After a three week visit to Europe which brought Bob Sloat to Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, we would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to the WCI alumni, friends, supporters and upcoming participants who welcomed Bob along the way for presentations and meetings regarding the World Campus — Japan program.

In addition, a special thank you goes out to the following institutions:

  • Switzerland: St. Gallen University, the University of Zürich, Volkshochschule Beider Basel, HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich and the Swiss – Japanese Society
  • Germany: Schule Schloss Salem
  • Luxembourg: Université du Luxembourg
  • Belgium: Universiteit Gent
  • The Netherlands: The Tanuki Organization at the University of Leiden as well as the AIESEC student organization in Nijmegen
  • Denmark: The Copenhagen Business School, the University of Copenhagen and the University of Roskilde
Arao City, City Life

Visiting the Saiyoji Buddhist Temple

On March 7th, we had the pleasant opportunity to visit the Saiyoji Buddhist temple in Arao. World Campus — Japan participants were split into two groups. One group prepared a traditional lunch with the temple staff, while the others played with the children in the nursery. Acknowledging my lack of culinary talent, I decided to have fun with the youngsters!

WCJ-class by the Saiyoji Budhist Temple

The capable staff of the nursery cares for 100 children ranging from young infants to five-year olds. Although the nursery is right next to the temple, it is not necessary to be Buddhist to enroll your child in the school. Payment is really flexible depending on the financial status of the family.

After a quick tour of the school in our tiny green slippers, we joined a class of three-year olds to create masterful works of ceramics. The creative clay cups made by the toddlers look a lot better than mine but looks aren’t everything. All in all, everyone had a wonderful time with the cute children.

After a delectable lunch, made by the more skillful chefs in the group, six female members had the chance to try on kimonos. Although it was an arduous task to put on, they all looked enchanting in the traditional Japanese wear.

Later in the afternoon, we were fortunate enough to listen to a lecture on Buddhism by Mr. Kamehara, the head monk of Saiyoji temple. The talk was quite interesting as he described the history and different sects of Buddhism. Although there have been many transformations as Buddhism traveled from India to Japan, the fundamental message of peace and mercy was preserved. We all have different religious backgrounds but everyone was still eager to learn even just a little about another religion.

As thrilling as this day was, it is just a typical day in WCI!

(Guang Yeung, United States of America, Colorado)

City Life, Kumamoto City

The Thank-you Event (Arigato Evento) in Kumamoto City

In every city we visit, World Campus — Japan participants present a small performance called The Arigato Evento. As an alumnus, and a member of the production team, this event is very exciting for me, and also for the families, many of which are hosting World Campus — Japan participants for the first time. The show begins with a small multimedia introduction, after which, the participants enter to an energized crowd.

The participants spend a few minutes dancing and interacting with the audience before moving to the stage. Once there, the fun really begins, as each of the 14 countries represented offers a small cultural presentation, ranging from a slideshow, to live music, to a story written in Japanese. At the end of the presentations, a host family is called to the stage and asked a few questions about their stay with the World Campus — Japan participant.

In Kumamoto city, the Fukushima family was called to the stage, they happened to be my host family, and had wonderful things to say during their interview. Once they exited the stage, I read to them a small speech I prepared, in Japanese, thanking them for being such a welcoming and kind family.

An American Sign Language song continues the show, which is very popular with the crowd because it is a song most of the communities have heard. Next we have a Japanese Medley, which includes 5 very well known Japanese songs. We have soloists, dancing and a lot of interaction with the audience. After this portion, we teach the Japanese Sign Language that we perform to a famous Japanese pop song. This is also very appreciated by the audience, since they can learn authentic Japanese Sign Language from international people.

At the end of the Arigato Evento, the participants present all the national flags represented by the World Campus — Japan class of February – April 2008, and then thank the host families and local organizing community members for having us. It truly is a wonderful event that will stay in the minds of the people for a long time.

(Cody Permenter, Production Assistant, United States of America)

City Life, Host Families, Kumamoto City

My Host Family in Kumamoto City

1 Comment

My Host Family in Kumamoto City
Hi, my name is Jonathon Cygnaeus, and I am from Stockholm, Sweden.

As a participant in the World Campus — Japan program, we stay in many host families. I had a great opportunity to live with the head of the Local Organizing Committee in Kumamoto city, Mrs. Maeda, along with Jamshid Ganiev from Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

I had a great time from the moment I entered the house until I left. We had great discussions about several subjects, including life in Japan to bigger questions in society. They also taught me some simple Japanese. I really enjoyed staying with the family because of their immense generosity and kindness.

One special highlight of my time staying with the Maeda family was visiting Mount Aso, the biggest active volcano in the country and one of the largest in the world. It was one of the most impressive sites I have seen.

It is host families like the Maeda family with their huge generosity to open their home to a total stranger that really makes World Campus — Japan program such a great experience.

Thank you to all the host families we have had on the road for opening your homes to us and for including us in your daily life, really making us feel like part of your family. We will treasure the memories made with you for years to come.

(Jonathan Cygnaeus, Sweden)

Unique Access to Japan!

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • Follow by Email