EIL Intercultural Learning

Thanks to my friends at Google Maps, few words are needed to explain just how fantastic the location of my school in Tokyo was.

Now that I've been home for a week, slept for most of it, and sorted out the inevitable bits and pieces that occur when one is away, I'm ready to start writing about my experiences in Tokyo for the past five weeks (knowing me I'll forget them if I don't!). Taking inspiration from Aran's blog (which I strongly suggest you check out if you haven't already) I'm going to take a stab at writing a bit about Japanese culture, though I have a suspicion my efforts will pale in comparison.

... the trick is NOT to freak out. As a person who self-identifies as an eternal optimist, I did what any rational-thinking person would do: tore my room to pieces. Ten minutes later, everything I possessed had been flung about the room, making a mockery of my oh-so-careful unpacking, and I knew that my passport was lost. Not that that stopped me from checking every pocket of every stitch of clothing (again), or flicking through every single stack of books. Twice.

Okay, no matter how I phrase this it`s going to sound disgustingly corney and sentimental, so please forgive me;

On the way to the supermarket today I had a really great conversation with my host mother, and I really want to share what she said  here as I think it really sums up what intercultural exchange is all about, and why it`s so worth while to get involved in any form of cross-cultural activities.

Okay, I admit it; This post is SHAMEFULLY late. I do apologise, but  A) I`ve been having far to much fun to even consider sitting still in front of a computer, and B) I`ve been trying to avoid English as much as possible!

Nah. It can't be. It has NOT been over a week since I last posted! Because if that were true (which would be ABSURD), that'd mean that I'm over halfway through my trip! Which means I'm getting deported in under 3 weeks! :-O

The moment I stepped into my first host family`s house, I knew I was going to have to make some adjustments to survive my six weeks in Japan: I immediately slammed my head into the top of the doorframe. This is not a country designed for six-foot plus, big-footed giants. However, as is clearly evident I have (surprisingly) lasted these first two weeks on the far side of the world! Not without a few mishaps, mind - but that`s half the craic, isn`t it?

After a week and a half in the US I am still amazed at the friendliness and enthusiasm of every participant at the Governors' Institute Program. The classes are fascinating whether they be workshops, issue groups or topicals. My issue group, Politics, was a series of intense thought-provoking discussions on every aspect of modern democratic systems. Unfortunately, our teacher, the ever open-minded Tim Kipp, was struck with health problems for the second half of the programme, but we instead enjoyed equally engaging classes on leadership.

I have been TOLD to keep on blogging! So I have set up another blog for while I am in SA and working on my thesis on HIV & AIDS and Nutrition....here is the link...http://bit.ly/9S9he7...