Exchange Members Write About the Exchange: 1
Akari R.
City of Osaka, Chicago Office
大阪市シカゴ事務所、六本朱理
I still remember the time when I first visited Walter Payton in the fall of 2004 to take pictures to send to Osaka to find a partner school.
It is wonderful to see how your relationship has blossomed and all of you are able to experience first hand what it means to have a sister city relationship.
これからも頑張って｛がんばって｝下さい。応援｛おうえん｝しています。
Jerome M.
I really enjoyed hosting Natsuho T. It was very fun showing her around the school, and I wish I could have gone on the field trip. The festival dance [led by Tomoko I.] was very energetic. It looked like the students had practiced a lot. Unfortunately, I can’t even dance American dances; so I couldn’t really participate very well. The yukata [cotton kimono for summer festivals] were also very cool.
Mike S.
As uncomfortable as I felt getting up in front of the class to wear a yukata, I felt it was a memorable and valuable experience. Also, it was enjoyable and a good bonding opportunity. I thought the Japanese students presented and danced well.
Additionally, my guest, Shun, helped a lot to facilitate cultural exchange. It was fun to share my life with him after he so graciously shared his with me when I was in Japan. I look forward to seeing all of the students from Japan again and welcome them to Chicago and to my home any time!
Akane Y.
とってもおもしろかったです！
「ゆかた」を着た人たちが楽しそうだったので私もうれしかったです。
アメリカでの生活はとてもたのしかったです。
シカゴピザもたべました。 It was so good!
Paytonと市立高校では、ちがうところがたくさんあるので、
みなさんもちがいをたいけんしに、日本に来て下さい。
待ってます。
茜
Marino T.
This school is very big and very clean.
I’m very surprised!!
And almost peoples are kind.
I’m so happy.
But it’s very cold in Chicago.
I don’t like cold. I like warmer!!
My host is Nikki ^^
She is very good girl!!
I likes her!!
Her mom and dad are kind.
I like them. I love them!!
Thank you --- *!!
Azrieal W.
ダンス は むずかしい です よ。
おかし は とても おいしかった です。
カミールさん の ゆかた は きれい です。
I really enjoyed their yukata presentation.
Getting up and dancing together was a really fun thing to do.
I was very happy to see Shun-kun because we were friends during my exchange [visit] to Osaka the summer of 2008.
It was such a pleasure to have them visit us this week.
Shun S.
今日はとてもたのしかったです。
みんなでたのしみました。
この交換｛こうかん｝留学｛りゅうがく｝でいい経験｛けいけん｝が出来ました｛できました｝。
僕のホストファミリーはとてもいい家族｛Family｝でした。
また来たいです。
みなさんもまた来てください。
Elizabeth A.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this exchange was learning about the extreme differences between teenage culture in Japan and in America. I don’t think that my culture shock going into Japan was as extreme as it is now, re-experiencing American culture through the “eyes” of a Japanese person. This was especially evident in our AP Lit class – she really liked the discussion-based learning, and Mr. Miller really likes Kanako as a student!
