THE YORK-BENIMARU FOUNDATION｜Students' Diaries

August 17, 2013
Thanks｜Ayako Suzuki
I had a very good time during my homestay. I was full of anxiety about my life at first, but my host family gave me a warm welcome. When they asked me "Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?", I answered "I want to go many places in Manitoba. I want to eat many kinds of foods." Then they took me out to many places. The art gallery, museum, zoo, cycling, watching a baseball game, Cuba and Indian show, national historic sites of Canada and a beach. They also cooked Indian food, Mexican food and so on. They let me have my hopes come true. I can't tell them how much I appreciate it. Anyway, all things look like dreams and significant days for me. I can't forget this summer. Thank you for everything.

August 17, 2013

Thanks｜Ayako Suzuki

I had a very good time during my homestay. I was full of anxiety about my life at first, but my host family gave me a warm welcome. When they asked me "Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?", I answered "I want to go many places in Manitoba. I want to eat many kinds of foods." Then they took me out to many places. The art gallery, museum, zoo, cycling, watching a baseball game, Cuba and Indian show, national historic sites of Canada and a beach. They also cooked Indian food, Mexican food and so on. They let me have my hopes come true.
I can't tell them how much I appreciate it. Anyway, all things look like dreams and significant days for me. I can't forget this summer. Thank you for everything.

August 17, 2013
Through the program｜Haruka Manome
When I heard I could participate in this program, I felt happy. But I became very anxious about making my English understood. Because I had never been abroad. At first, I couldn't say what I wanted in English so I usually faltered. But those kinds of matters became fewer as time went on, because I came to know the importance of the positive attitude to tell something. It doesn't matter even if make grammatical mistakes. Anyway, it should be all right if can tell my feelings or thought. English is just a means of communication.

August 17, 2013

Through the program｜Haruka Manome

When I heard I could participate in this program, I felt happy. But I became very anxious about making my English understood. Because I had never been abroad.
At first, I couldn't say what I wanted in English so I usually faltered. But those kinds of matters became fewer as time went on, because I came to know the importance of the positive attitude to tell something. It doesn't matter even if make grammatical mistakes. Anyway, it should be all right if can tell my feelings or thought. English is just a means of communication.

August 17, 2013
Valuable experiences｜Natsuki Takeda
I stayed at the Devos family's house for two weeks. When the day of my homestay started, I was very very very nervous. I couldn't understand what my hostfamily talked about. But they talked clearly and slowly. We communicated with each other using my electric dictionary. I gradually came to understand their English. They took me many places. For example, festival's, a lake and shopping malls. I had a great time anywhere. But the time I spent in the farm was the most impressive. Because there were many first experiences. I saw a milk cow for the first time. It was very big. I fed a baby cow with a bottle. The way the baby cow stick to the bottle was cute. I thought to take the milk from cows is hard work. I also thought that we should thank the people working there. When I felt sick, they were always very kind to me. I really appreciate to my host family.

August 17, 2013

Valuable experiences｜Natsuki Takeda

I stayed at the Devos family's house for two weeks. When the day of my homestay started, I was very very very nervous. I couldn't understand what my hostfamily talked about. But they talked clearly and slowly. We communicated with each other using my electric dictionary. I gradually came to understand their English. They took me many places. For example, festival's, a lake and shopping malls. I had a great time anywhere. But the time I spent in the farm was the most impressive. Because there were many first experiences. I saw a milk cow for the first time. It was very big. I fed a baby cow with a bottle. The way the baby cow stick to the bottle was cute. I thought to take the milk from cows is hard work. I also thought that we should thank the people working there. When I felt sick, they were always very kind to me. I really appreciate to my host family.

August 17, 2013
My thought about my homestay｜Tatsumi Sato
At first, I had many worries about my homestay. But when I came to Winnipeg, the worries changed expectation. Thanks to my host family, I learned that I can communicate with the other people without language, and learned about custom, culture of Winnipeg. I could get many precious experiences, and these experiences made my world view a wider one. I want to make the most of these experiences. I want to say my host family and the York-Benimaru Foundation "Thank you very much".

August 17, 2013

My thought about my homestay｜Tatsumi Sato

At first, I had many worries about my homestay. But when I came to Winnipeg, the worries changed expectation. Thanks to my host family, I learned that I can communicate with the other people without language, and learned about custom, culture of Winnipeg. I could get many precious experiences, and these experiences made my world view a wider one. I want to make the most of these experiences. I want to say my host family and the York-Benimaru Foundation "Thank you very much".

August 17, 2013
The importance of communication｜Sumika Takahashi
I stayed at Crowe family's house for two weeks. Crowe families had a good relationship. Kaitlyn, 15 years old daughter, said to her father "I love you, dad." I thought that Crowe family was a really happy family. I learned the importance of communication through homestay. If I didn't talk, nobady could understand me. I think it is important to get across my true feelings. Crowe family took me to the cottage near the lake. I enjoyed water-skiing. I also made sweets with host mother. I was able to have many precious experiences. I am truly thankful to Crowe family. I think that they may not be able to understand My poor English. Therefore, I will study English more. When I meet Crowe family again, I would like to talk to them more.

August 17, 2013

The importance of communication｜Sumika Takahashi

I stayed at Crowe family's house for two weeks. Crowe families had a good relationship. Kaitlyn, 15 years old daughter, said to her father "I love you, dad." I thought that Crowe family was a really happy family.
I learned the importance of communication through homestay. If I didn't talk, nobady could understand me. I think it is important to get across my true feelings. Crowe family took me to the cottage near the lake. I enjoyed water-skiing. I also made sweets with host mother.
I was able to have many precious experiences. I am truly thankful to Crowe family. I think that they may not be able to understand My poor English. Therefore, I will study English more. When I meet Crowe family again, I would like to talk to them more.

August 17, 2013
In Manitoba｜Maho Furukawa
I enjoyed homestay for two weeks from August 2nd. There was very anxious about living in different environment at first. But my host family welcomed me warmly. They were very kind. I have a lot of experiences during the stay. The nature of Canada was very beautiful and I was impressed by that. Especially the night sky was the best. All the experiences are my important memories.

August 17, 2013
2 weeks with Kolesar family｜Maki Nemoto
I was so happy for living with Kolesar family for 2 weeks. When I met Kolesar family, I got a big hug from Jennifer. I went to many places with them. We swam in the lake. We went to Mennonite Heritage Village. We drank a cup of coffee in Tim Hortons. I rode a quad bike with Dayna. I watched a movie "Twilight" with Robyn. I went on spinning drums at the Winkler Harvest Fest. We went camping at the Minnedosa beach campsite. I had precious experience everyday. I love Kolesar family. Thank you so much.

August 17, 2013

2 weeks with Kolesar family｜Maki Nemoto

I was so happy for living with Kolesar family for 2 weeks. When I met Kolesar family, I got a big hug from Jennifer. I went to many places with them. We swam in the lake. We went to Mennonite Heritage Village. We drank a cup of coffee in Tim Hortons. I rode a quad bike with Dayna. I watched a movie "Twilight" with Robyn. I went on spinning drums at the Winkler Harvest Fest. We went camping at the Minnedosa beach campsite. I had precious experience everyday. I love Kolesar family. Thank you so much.

August 15, 2013
This splendid experience｜Kotaro Sagara
Until I met my host family at the welcome party, I was worried about communication in English. However, there was no cause for concern. They talked slowly so that I could understand and made efforts to understand what I said. I was able to spend everyday happily. In addition, they let me have many experiences. For example, the harvest of wheat, a horse riding, tour of their town, Carman, and so on. All of them were first experiences for me and I was impressed very much. It become a wonderful time which is hard to change to anything for these two weeks. I'm thankful to all the people who supported this program, my host family and the York-Benimaru Foundation.

August 15, 2013

This splendid experience｜Kotaro Sagara

Until I met my host family at the welcome party, I was worried about communication in English. However, there was no cause for concern. They talked slowly so that I could understand and made efforts to understand what I said. I was able to spend everyday happily. In addition, they let me have many experiences. For example, the harvest of wheat, a horse riding, tour of their town, Carman, and so on. All of them were first experiences for me and I was impressed very much. It become a wonderful time which is hard to change to anything for these two weeks. I'm thankful to all the people who supported this program, my host family and the York-Benimaru Foundation.

August 2, 2013
In Manitoba｜Yuhi Machishima
On July 31st, when we arrived at the Winnipeg airport, Ms. Amanda and Ms. Hiroko welcomed us. We reached the hotel, they prepared some pizza and fruit, and I ate them. I really thought that we was welcomed warmly. On August 1st, I went to "KELBURN FARM" in the afternoon. I learned about canola. I went to canola field riding a big machine. I learned about bugs and weeds. The canola field was yellow and beautiful. After that I went to the mall near the hotel. There were some people playing musical instruments. Because of them, the mall was lively. I went to the assembly hall of Manitoba and visited Minister of Agriculture, Ron Kostyshyn. We had own pictures taken in front of the tree which was planted on 10th anniversary of the York-Benimaru Foundation's exchange program for Manitoban Students. After that, the reception was held on the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. I felt nervous. And I went to the Fenez Follies's house. It was very fun. I felt that people in Manitoba are kind and humorous. I'm very glad to meet new people. I'm very looking forward to go to the host family's house and stay there.

August 2, 2013

In Manitoba｜Yuhi Machishima

On July 31st, when we arrived at the Winnipeg airport, Ms. Amanda and Ms. Hiroko welcomed us. We reached the hotel, they prepared some pizza and fruit, and I ate them. I really thought that we was welcomed warmly.
On August 1st, I went to "KELBURN FARM" in the afternoon. I learned about canola.
I went to canola field riding a big machine. I learned about bugs and weeds. The canola field was yellow and beautiful. After that I went to the mall near the hotel. There were some people playing musical instruments. Because of them, the mall was lively.
I went to the assembly hall of Manitoba and visited Minister of Agriculture, Ron Kostyshyn. We had own pictures taken in front of the tree which was planted on 10th anniversary of the York-Benimaru Foundation's exchange program for Manitoban Students. After that, the reception was held on the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. I felt nervous. And I went to the Fenez Follies's house. It was very fun. I felt that people in Manitoba are kind and humorous. I'm very glad to meet new people. I'm very looking forward to go to the host family's house and stay there.

August 1, 2013
Canada, the Country which I visited for the first time｜Haruka Tasaki
We finished the English lessons in Seattle and went to Canada on July 31. I thought about the life in Canada which would begin from now, while thinking of the people I met in Seattle. We arrived in Calgary first. I was impressed by the scenery. A very large field looked beautiful in the blue sky. Then I went to Winnipeg where our host families lived. Winnipeg is a very calm town. The atmosphere of the town looks like Fukushima, so I felt nostalgia though it was my first time I came to the town. Next day, we visited the Manitoba agricultural administration minister, and I realized stronger than before that we are students dispatched by the York-Benimaru Foundation and a representatives of Fukushima. Our homestay will begin tomorrow. I will be not afraid of failure and went to make a lot of memories with my host family.

August 1, 2013

Canada, the Country which I visited for the first time｜Haruka Tasaki

We finished the English lessons in Seattle and went to Canada on July 31. I thought about the life in Canada which would begin from now, while thinking of the people I met in Seattle.
We arrived in Calgary first. I was impressed by the scenery. A very large field looked beautiful in the blue sky. Then I went to Winnipeg where our host families lived.
Winnipeg is a very calm town. The atmosphere of the town looks like Fukushima, so I felt nostalgia though it was my first time I came to the town.
Next day, we visited the Manitoba agricultural administration minister, and I realized stronger than before that we are students dispatched by the York-Benimaru Foundation and a representatives of Fukushima.
Our homestay will begin tomorrow. I will be not afraid of failure and went to make a lot of memories with my host family.

August 1, 2013
In Manitoba｜Yuka Ikeda
I made a plane connection twice for Manitoba. I arrived in Manitoba at 9 p.m. I was uneasy about staying at Manitoba. How about the environment in Manitoba? I reached Manitoba airport. The Scenery was different from what I had imagined. There were a lot of high buildings and trees and I thought that state was rich in nature. I came to look forward to homestay. A big farm stretched for miles. I had thought Japan was rich in nature and comfortable to live in, but I felt new different freshness in Canada. When I visited Hon. Ron Kostyshyn, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, invited us with a smile. I was a really glad. I am looking forward to the homestay from now and thought that I wanted to know about Canada more.

August 1, 2013

In Manitoba｜Yuka Ikeda

I made a plane connection twice for Manitoba. I arrived in Manitoba at 9 p.m. I was uneasy about staying at Manitoba. How about the environment in Manitoba?
I reached Manitoba airport. The Scenery was different from what I had imagined. There were a lot of high buildings and trees and I thought that state was rich in nature.
I came to look forward to homestay. A big farm stretched for miles. I had thought Japan was rich in nature and comfortable to live in, but I felt new different freshness in Canada. When I visited Hon. Ron Kostyshyn, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, invited us with a smile. I was a really glad. I am looking forward to the homestay from now and thought that I wanted to know about Canada more.

July 31, 2013
Special days｜Naomi Suzuki
We had 8 English lessons at King's school. On the first day, we had a proficiency assessment to check our levels of English. It was easy for me to introduce myself to the teacher. On that day, we played Sugoroku with students at Kings Schools. That was fun. We also watched the video which introduced many cities in America. We learned how to tell the directions and useful expressions to use during the homestay as well. Thank to those English lessons I could understand English better than before. I was very glad that I could use words and phrases which I practiced in the lessons. I felt happy when I could make myself understand in English. I think I gained a lot through these lessons at King's school. Thank you Joe, Romina, and Taka !

July 31, 2013

Special days｜Naomi Suzuki

We had 8 English lessons at King's school. On the first day, we had a proficiency assessment to check our levels of English. It was easy for me to introduce myself to the teacher. On that day, we played Sugoroku with students at Kings Schools. That was fun. We also watched the video which introduced many cities in America. We learned how to tell the directions and useful expressions to use during the homestay as well. Thank to those English lessons I could understand English better than before. I was very glad that I could use words and phrases which I practiced in the lessons. I felt happy when I could make myself understand in English. I think I gained a lot through these lessons at King's school. Thank you Joe, Romina, and Taka !

July 31, 2013
I loved Seattle !｜Mayuko Yusa
I participated in this program for the purpose of improving my English and communication skills. I stayed at SPU dorm and studied at King's school. The teachers at King's school were very kind. I was poor at English at first but I like English now. I feel like studying English more. We sometimes went out with students at Kings Schools and used English we had just learned the cultural differences(food and custom) between Japan and America. I'm going to Canada for the homestay and I want to make good use of what I have learned so far. I hope that I can lead a happy life with my host family in Canada.

July 31, 2013

I loved Seattle !｜Mayuko Yusa

I participated in this program for the purpose of improving my English and communication skills. I stayed at SPU dorm and studied at King's school. The teachers at King's school were very kind. I was poor at English at first but I like English now. I feel like studying English more. We sometimes went out with students at Kings Schools and used English we had just learned the cultural differences(food and custom) between Japan and America.
I'm going to Canada for the homestay and I want to make good use of what I have learned so far. I hope that I can lead a happy life with my host family in Canada.

July 30, 2013
Weekend｜Takemi Tanaka
During the latter half of life in Seattle, we had a lot of exchanges with students at Kings Schools. On Friday, we walked a long way to the beach and talked with each other. We could see a beautiful sea and a huge train. On Saturday, we went to the Waterfront by public bus. That was our first time we saw the different kinds of fish at the Seattle Aquarium, and ate fish and chips for lunch. In the afternoon, we went downtown, and saw a movie "Monsters University". On Sunday morning, we practiced playing baseball with students at Kings Schools. Afterwards we went to Safeco Field to watch the baseball game, the Seattle Mariners versus the Minnesota Twins. We ate lunch at the field. This weekend, we had a lot of events and happenings, but we learned useful English.

July 30, 2013

Weekend｜Takemi Tanaka

During the latter half of life in Seattle, we had a lot of exchanges with students at Kings Schools.
On Friday, we walked a long way to the beach and talked with each other. We could see a beautiful sea and a huge train.
On Saturday, we went to the Waterfront by public bus. That was our first time we saw the different kinds of fish at the Seattle Aquarium, and ate fish and chips for lunch. In the afternoon, we went downtown, and saw a movie "Monsters University".
On Sunday morning, we practiced playing baseball with students at Kings Schools.
Afterwards we went to Safeco Field to watch the baseball game, the Seattle Mariners versus the Minnesota Twins. We ate lunch at the field.
This weekend, we had a lot of events and happenings, but we learned useful English.

July 30, 2013
My treasure｜Honoka Hashimoto
In the second half of our stay in Seattle, we had a lot of chances to interact with students at Kings Schools. When we walked to the beach, they taught us many things. It was very hard for me to order what I wanted to drink at a café. On Sunday, we all played baseball at Seattle Pacific University playground. I felt we could deepen our friendship because it was a team play. After that, we watched a baseball game, Seattle Mariners versus Minnesota Twins. It was moved by watching a live Major League baseball game. As time went by, my worries turned into joy. The life in Seattle made me grow as a person. A life with best friends is a treasure for me. Thank you!!

July 30, 2013

My treasure｜Honoka Hashimoto

In the second half of our stay in Seattle, we had a lot of chances to interact with students at Kings Schools. When we walked to the beach, they taught us many things. It was very hard for me to order what I wanted to drink at a café. On Sunday, we all played baseball at Seattle Pacific University playground. I felt we could deepen our friendship because it was a team play. After that, we watched a baseball game, Seattle Mariners versus Minnesota Twins. It was moved by watching a live Major League baseball game. As time went by, my worries turned into joy. The life in Seattle made me grow as a person. A life with best friends is a treasure for me. Thank you!!

July 29, 2013
A wonderful life !｜Yurie Ozaki
Seattle is blessed with a fine weather. We're enjoying blue skies every day. Seattle has more drier and more cooler wind than Japan. So it is comfortable to live. We enjoy attending classes because we can learn practical and conversational expressions. Utilizing what we learned is one of the most pleasant things. When we walked around downtown, we could feel real America by the five senses. People who have a live concert on the street made me happy. Seven days have passed since we arrived in America. My friend said "Our pronunciations have became better." And "I came to understand English than before." Have my English improved? I don't know. But I will improve my English. The life in America is very fresh and enjoyable. Being in America, I can feel greatness of not only American but also Japanese.

July 29, 2013

A wonderful life !｜Yurie Ozaki

Seattle is blessed with a fine weather. We're enjoying blue skies every day. Seattle has more drier and more cooler wind than Japan. So it is comfortable to live.
We enjoy attending classes because we can learn practical and conversational expressions. Utilizing what we learned is one of the most pleasant things.
When we walked around downtown, we could feel real America by the five senses. People who have a live concert on the street made me happy.
Seven days have passed since we arrived in America. My friend said "Our pronunciations have became better." And "I came to understand English than before." Have my English improved? I don't know. But I will improve my English.
The life in America is very fresh and enjoyable. Being in America, I can feel greatness of not only American but also Japanese.

July 29, 2013
In Seattle｜Soyoka Abe
This program started 9 days ago. In the beginning, I was very nervous, but I feel very happy now! I visited various places in Seattle. For example, I went to the Space needle, Seattle aquarium, the movie theater and the bookstore at Seattle Pacific University. Everything I saw, touched and felt was new and exciting for me!! I will enjoy a homestay program in Manitoba, too.

July 25, 2013
My life in Dorm｜Hikaru Utsunomiya
I went to Kings Schools for the first time on July 23. I had English lessons and met five students at there. I enjoyed the interaction with them very much. I sometimes feel sleepy because of the jet lag, but I try to concentrate on the lessons. Anyway I have a fun on the life in here. I went shopping on July 24. I could buy what I had wanted to. At first I worried about this international exchange program because I had no experience of staying at dorm of a university. But now I really have a good time staying at SPU.

July 25, 2013

My life in Dorm｜Hikaru Utsunomiya

I went to Kings Schools for the first time on July 23. I had English lessons and met five students at there.
I enjoyed the interaction with them very much. I sometimes feel sleepy because of the jet lag, but I try to concentrate on the lessons. Anyway I have a fun on the life in here.
I went shopping on July 24. I could buy what I had wanted to. At first I worried about this international exchange program because I had no experience of staying at dorm of a university. But now I really have a good time staying at SPU.

July 25, 2013
Wonderful life in Seattle｜Kurumi Hoshi
I've been interested in English since I was a junior high school student. But I have been very poor at English. So I joined this program to improve my English. At first I didn't understand what the teacher said. It was frustrating that I couldn't speak English. I hope to be able to speak English better. I was very nervous to take English Tests. The tests were very difficult for me. Seattle Pacific University where we are living and Kings schools where we take English lessons are large and beautiful. I'm enjoying school life so time is passing fast.

July 25, 2013

Wonderful life in Seattle｜Kurumi Hoshi

I've been interested in English since I was a junior high school student. But I have been very poor at English. So I joined this program to improve my English.
At first I didn't understand what the teacher said. It was frustrating that I couldn't speak English. I hope to be able to speak English better. I was very nervous to take English Tests. The tests were very difficult for me.
Seattle Pacific University where we are living and Kings schools where we take English lessons are large and beautiful.
I'm enjoying school life so time is passing fast.

July 22, 2013
My aim｜Kaho Sekine
I have been waiting for the day of departure. I'm so excited. I learned how hard it was to live using only English this spring in the United States. Though I had many things to say, I didn't know what to say. I was not able to speak at all. It was a mortifying memory. Therefore, my aim is to challenge. I'm not afraid of failure. I listened to teachers and students who visited the United States and Canada last year, and what I want to do have increased. For example I want to eat pudding. I'm looking forward to seeing myself, how I'll change in one month.

July 22, 2013

My aim｜Kaho Sekine

I have been waiting for the day of departure. I'm so excited.
I learned how hard it was to live using only English this spring in the United States. Though I had many things to say, I didn't know what to say. I was not able to speak at all. It was a mortifying memory.
Therefore, my aim is to challenge. I'm not afraid of failure. I listened to teachers and students who visited the United States and Canada last year, and what I want to do have increased. For example I want to eat pudding.
I'm looking forward to seeing myself, how I'll change in one month.