LOTE News

Report from Serene who recently visited Japan.

2023 Branch Out Exchange

As I step into the room, I was immediately greeted by chants of welcome. The environment around me was warm and cheerful, though I couldn’t understand anything anyone was saying to me. The teacher stood up the front, ready to teach, while I sat at the back, ready to listen.

Maths. It was simple enough, as I knew the basics. Their classroom’s chalkboards were filled with powder within minutes, and I loved hearing the soft squeaking sound of the chalk smoothly gliding across the board. Someone who just walkie-talkie into the room might think all of the information onto the board was overwhelmingly complicated, but in reality it’s no different from the stuff you find in your workbook. I learned more and more as time went by, and towards the end I was surprised to see how many details could fit into my tiny memory.

English. I enjoyed English very much. Maybe it was the fact that the word “English” starts with an “e”, or perhaps it was the fact that I could understand every word the teacher spoke. His name was Dustin. He taught in English, spoke in English and gave instructions in English. He said that everyone could talk if they wanted to. In English. I smiled. At least now, I would understand what everyone wanted to say.

Art. I loved art. In my opinion, art is one of my strongest attributes. I walk to the art room with my classmates, but I feel like skipping there. I was assigned my topic, and I loved how free I was, how I didn’t always have to do things one way. I showed my piece to my teacher, and she rolled it up carefully before adding a note: “I like your touch and how you colour your drawings.”

Host families- 1st night 

Fujimoto family

I stepped gladly off the school bus after an hour of riding and inhaled deeply. The wind was blowing softly, and it was a beautiful day. They waved to us viciously from the bus stop, clearly desperate to meet us at last. We hastily joined them, my heart pounding excitedly.

Once we arrived at their house, two hamsters awaited us eagerly from inside their cages. While I set out to explore the house, the adults started to plan things out. I soon found myself gazing at a (very) large Japanese grocery store, and with tons of things to eat, drink and do, I was sure I’d never be bored again as long as I’m with the Fujimoto family! 

Host families- 2nd-3rd nights 

Kanzaki family 

Once we were close enough to see, the structure of a traditional Japanese house unfolded before my eyes. It was a small but very comfortable home, not to mention the indescribably cute rabbit that hopped about in the corner of their house. I could sit there for more than ten minutes stroking it…

On our second night with the Kanzaki family, bright firework sticks illuminated the dark night sky. We waved them around, pretended we were wizards casting spells and had all the fun the night could offer. And the most important part: golden, crispy toasted marshmallows on top of a warmly flickering fire. We stayed up all night keeping the fire alive that we may have forgotten there was a thing in the universe called “time”….

If you ever get the opportunity, definitely pay a visit to Japan. Once you come back, just try and forget your experience!