JAPAN EAST-ASIA NETWORK OF EXCHANGE FOR STUDENTS AND YOUTH (JENESYS) 2017 Name: Shahenoor Saiza Ali Group Number: Group 4A Theme: Trade, Investment & Tourism Travel Dates: 23/01/18 01/02/18 Prefecture Visited: Nagasaki
MY TRIP TO JAPAN A trip to Japan at this early stage in life is a dream for most of us. However this dream became a reality for me and many other students due to JENESYS. I was allocated in Group 4A with 29 other Pacific Island students under the theme of Trade, Investment & Tourism. This trip not only enhanced my knowledge on the theme and of Japanese culture and lifestyle but also provided me with an opportunity to interact with people from other Pacific Islands. Figure 1 JENESYS Group 4A at Nadi Airport This programme is a wonderful initiative to promote mutual trust and understanding between the Pacific Islanders and the Japanese as both learn about each other countries, lifestyle and culture. JENESYS provided me with an opportunity filled with many subopportunities in itself. It was my first time abroad and I was really excited for this trip because not only will I get to see a new country but also to experience the lifestyle there for 9 days and learn on Japan s Trade, Investment & Tourism. The programme was truly commendable. In such a short span of time, that is 8 nights and 9 days, we did a lot than we would ve been able to do. The efforts behind to make this programme a successful one is praiseworthy as this does not happen overnight but takes weeks for preparation and to turn out perfectly. Figure 2 Views from Dai-ichi Hotel in Tokyo
I am left awestruck with this programme as at such an early age I know things that will surely assist me in my career in future and also information I can pass out to make my country a better one. For example, the various ways that rubbish are disposed in Tokyo can be implemented in Fiji as this type of rubbish disposal is already being executed in some schools. There has been countless things I learnt while my stay in Japan. Primarily is Time Management. While my stay in Japan, one thing that was clearly evident was time management, everything was done on time and we all had to be punctual. Either be it the meeting time in the morning, lunch time or a lecture time, very rarely things were not completed on time. This made me realize the how important is to manage time wisely and that: A second saved is a minute saved A minute saved is an hour saved An hour saved is a day saved Furthermore, I learnt on Japan s Tourism and its importance. We were told that Tourism has many impacts that is, it is a pillar of Japan s growth strategy, key to regional development etc. An interesting fact was that the Japanese population is expected to decline constantly with the working-age population shrink to nearly half of the present number-126.6million to 87 million in 2060. The future of tourism - sustainable tourism can be achieved through environmental initiatives and contribution of women. Japan - Endless Discovery! The visits we made to Sensoji temple enlightened me of the cultural rituals (washing of hands and rinsing of mouth) to be performed before the prayer and the manner in which the prayer is conducted. Also the visit made to the Church in Shinmakigoto made me known to the facts that there are many hidden Christian sites/churches in the island that was used as secret worship places. Figure 3 At Sensoji Temple
Adding on, upon our visit to the Japanese Noodle making place, learnt how Udon noodles are made and I also had a chance to do some of the step of the process which is making the loops. A visit to the salt making factory also made me see how traditional salt is made. A fact I came to know was that only 35kg of salt is produced in about 4 tons of water. Figure 4 Udon Noodle making process Figure 4.ii Udon Noodle making process Figure 4.i Udon Noodle making process I learnt to eat food using chopsticks since I have never used chopsticks to eat food with being from an Indian background. It was a new experience for me and I was facing difficulties initially but with the assistance from my friends I managed to eat my foods using chopsticks. I enjoyed eating with chopsticks and even bought chopsticks to eat food at home. Figure 5 Lunch at a restaurant and dessert
Additionally I was not aware of the Nagasaki Bombing thus the visit to the Museum and the Peace Park surely enlightened me of the incident. This incident made me realize and appreciate the fact that I am living in such a peaceful country as Fiji where we do not have to live under constant fears/threats of wars. Figure 6 Inside Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum While in Goto Island we also had visits to the schools and at Nakagoto High school I learnt how to make Dango which is a traditional Japanese sweet. Moreover every aspect of this trip was enjoyable but the most enjoyable part was interacting with the school students at Kamigoto High School and playing games through which I learnt some of the Japanese letters and some cultural parts. This interaction with the students was one filled with fun and learning at the same time. Figure 7 With students of Kakagoto High School Figure 8 With Students of Kamigoto High School
One other enjoyable aspect of this trip was the homestay at Taka-Chan s home where she treated us as her own children. The word Home portrays of how the Homestay was. It was just as like our Homes are back in our countries but Japanese style that is. We were greeted with the smiley faces of Taka-chan, Yumiko and Kaoli and the first thing done was we were served dinner. Dinner was in Japanese style and we had a Kutatsu to keep us warm under the table while dining. Figure 9 Dinner at Taka-chan's home As I entered the room, I saw that food had already been set on the table and it all looked delicious. The table looked full with so much of food that Taka-chan got some more food for us and just as I was thinking that now the there is no more space in the table, Kaoli got us some soup. Both of the dining tables were full but we managed to make space for the soup bowls. After dinner was cleanup time and after that we played card games and had some music and dancing. It was a fun night with the three of them and reminded me of family times back home. We were all tired so we went to have our shower and I experienced bathing in the Onsen for the first time. In breakfast the next morning, the table was again filled from one end to the other. I was quite excited during breakfast because after breakfast Taka-chan was to teach us to make Fish paste. It was an easy thing to make and I will make it at my home someday. Then it was gift exchanging time and Taka-chan got emotional upon receiving her gifts. I did not want to leave yet but unfortunately it was time for us to leave. Taka-chan was teary-eyed while bidding farewell to us and so was I. She looked after us so affectionately and made us eat so much like how or mothers do. Being a stranger she did so much for us and that is the fact which I loved about her so much. I hope I get a chance to visit her sometimes in the future.
Figure 10 Having fun time with Yumiko in homestay Figure 12 A happy and emotional Takachan with her gifts Figure 11 Gift exchange time with Taka-chan Lastly, this programme was one of the perfect ones which did not have a scope of complaint. However one recommendation can be to make the programme to be at least of 10 days. This is because of the reason that there is a lot of time consumed on traveling be it in air, in boat or bus. It is good in one way that we students get to see many places while traveling. I think that having a minimum of 10 days would be sufficient. Thus, to conclude, JENESYS 2017 project has made one dream of mine to become reality. I learnt a lot of things in the 9 days in Japan out of which some things made me realize
the value and importance of some aspects of life/things. This programme has made me think of ways to improve myself and my country. The Japanese culture is one of the unique ones and I sincerely appreciate JENESYS 2017 project team for selecting me as one of the participants. Figure 13 JENESYS Group 4 with Invited Guests at the Reception party Figure 14 Final one with Yogota(Tour guide), Me, Hazuki(Coordinator), Ichiro(Translator)