THE YORK-BENIMARU FOUNDATION｜Students' Diaries

August 16, 2015
Be active!｜ Yutaro Takano
I thought that expanding my view is very important to realize my dream and that it I can do it at this age, it will be very precious for me. That’s why I joined this exchange program. The program was not only interesting but also hard for me. But now, I think that all that I experienced were very precious and also useful for me. I tried not to be passive, but always be active. I think this made my experiences wonderful. And I’m going to do everything in the same way. Lastly, I want to say “thank you” to everyone who gave me these precious experiences.

August 16, 2015

Be active!｜ Yutaro Takano

I thought that expanding my view is very important to realize my dream and that it I can do it at this age, it will be very precious for me. That’s why I joined this exchange program. The program was not only interesting but also hard for me. But now, I think that all that I experienced were very precious and also useful for me. I tried not to be passive, but always be active. I think this made my experiences wonderful.
And I’m going to do everything in the same way. Lastly, I want to say “thank you” to everyone who gave me these precious experiences.

August 16, 2015
The best summer｜ Akari Ouchi
I learned it is important to try things without fear through this program. In the United States, I have had a strong impression of dormitory life of University. The days in Seattle had passed so fast but I had a very good time. Above all, the two weeks homestay in Canada was wonderful. Andres family warmly welcomed me. They taught me a lot of things. I was able to give a bottle of milk to the calf and know work of farm. I had valuable experiences. I want thank Andres family for accepting me as one of their family member and making an effort to understand me. I am happy to have stayed with my host family. I’ll never forget this summer forever.

August 16, 2015

The best summer｜ Akari Ouchi

I learned it is important to try things without fear through this program. In the United States, I have had a strong impression of dormitory life of University. The days in Seattle had passed so fast but I had a very good time.
Above all, the two weeks homestay in Canada was wonderful. Andres family warmly welcomed me. They taught me a lot of things. I was able to give a bottle of milk to the calf and know work of farm. I had valuable experiences. I want thank Andres family for accepting me as one of their family member and making an effort to understand me. I am happy to have stayed with my host family. I’ll never forget this summer forever.

August 16, 2015
What is the family made of?｜ Sena Mitome
There is one thing that I found very different between Japan and Canada. After staying with a Canadian farmer family, that is how the family should be. You can see how much they care about their family members here in their daily life. Take the ornaments in the house, for example, they often have such words as Family Love, and Mom. Do we have them in Japanese homes? Students in Canada do more house work than Japanese students do. Not just in a while but every day that made me think about how I had been treating my family. Do I sometimes look for my family after school? Do I do the laundry for my mom so that she can get rest? Probably I don’t even know now to use the washer. Isn’t it arrogant to show them less appreciation just because they are my family? I never thought I came began to think about how precious my family was for me in Canada. I understand Japanese people tend to be shy. But I‘ve learned that we should open our heart to our families more.

August 16, 2015

What is the family made of?｜ Sena Mitome

There is one thing that I found very different between Japan and Canada. After staying with a Canadian farmer family, that is how the family should be. You can see how much they care about their family members here in their daily life. Take the ornaments in the house, for example, they often have such words as Family Love, and Mom. Do we have them in Japanese homes? Students in Canada do more house work than Japanese students do. Not just in a while but every day that made me think about how I had been treating my family. Do I sometimes look for my family after school? Do I do the laundry for my mom so that she can get rest? Probably I don’t even know now to use the washer. Isn’t it arrogant to show them less appreciation just because they are my family?
I never thought I came began to think about how precious my family was for me in Canada. I understand Japanese people tend to be shy. But I‘ve learned that we should open our heart to our families more.

August 16, 2015
For the first time｜ Tomoya Senzaki
I had a lot of first experiences in these two weeks. The most impressive one was the activities in the lakes. There are a lot of lakes in Manitoba. I went to Rossman Lake, Seech Lake and Clear Lake. I rode a motor boat for the first time at Rossman Lake. And the wind blowing against my face refreshed me a lot. After a while, I enjoyed fishing for the first time. I could catch no fish, but I had a good time. And I enjoyed tubing at Seech Lake. I was thrilling but much have fun. It was long two weeks, but I felt it short. It must be because everything was new experiences for me. I’ve never had such valuable experiences before. I deeply thank all the people who gave me this opportunity.

August 16, 2015

For the first time｜ Tomoya Senzaki

I had a lot of first experiences in these two weeks. The most impressive one was the activities in the lakes. There are a lot of lakes in Manitoba. I went to Rossman Lake, Seech Lake and Clear Lake. I rode a motor boat for the first time at Rossman Lake. And the wind blowing against my face refreshed me a lot. After a while, I enjoyed fishing for the first time. I could catch no fish, but I had a good time. And I enjoyed tubing at Seech Lake. I was thrilling but much have fun.
It was long two weeks, but I felt it short. It must be because everything was new experiences for me. I’ve never had such valuable experiences before. I deeply thank all the people who gave me this opportunity.

August 14, 2015
New Treasure｜ Mao Takahashi
I stayed at walker-Harley’s home. I was looking forward to join this program before this program started. But I was very nervous when the home stay started. When they and I went back to their home after welcome party, I was asked a lot of question and their speed of speaking English was very fast. But they cared about me well. So I was relieved. Thank you for taking me to the many places. These memories were my best treasure.

August 14, 2015

New Treasure｜ Mao Takahashi

I stayed at walker-Harley’s home. I was looking forward to join this program before this program started. But I was very nervous when the home stay started. When they and I went back to their home after welcome party, I was asked a lot of question and their speed of speaking English was very fast. But they cared about me well. So I was relieved. Thank you for taking me to the many places. These memories were my best treasure.

August 14, 2015
Another family｜ Haruka Ito
I went to the welcome party with nerve and unease after the lecture at Seattle for 10 days. But my host family was so kind that I didn’t feel nervous. I experienced a lot of new things and felt that this two weeks was too short because children listed the things. I want to do and eat. Especially, I was impressed with a beautiful lake and the sky full of stars at the camp for two days. This experience will stay in my heart forever. I want say “Thank you.” to Claeys／Didyk family and the people who gave me this chance.

August 14, 2015

Another family｜ Haruka Ito

I went to the welcome party with nerve and unease after the lecture at Seattle for 10 days. But my host family was so kind that I didn’t feel nervous. I experienced a lot of new things and felt that this two weeks was too short because children listed the things. I want to do and eat. Especially, I was impressed with a beautiful lake and the sky full of stars at the camp for two days.
This experience will stay in my heart forever. I want say “Thank you.” to Claeys／Didyk family and the people who gave me this chance.

August 8, 2015
Unforgettable Homestay｜ Yukiko Hoshi
I was very nervous when I was at the welcome party. Because I was so worried about if my host family understood my English. The Jochum family welcomed me brightly and kindly. They told me slowly and chose simply words. I’m really glad to have met this host family. They took me to a lake, museum and many places from the first day. I was able to have fulfilling days. However, I have been disappointed. It was difficult to understand and answer the questions by my host family. I felt that it was difficult to speak English. Manitoba is a very wonderful place. I improved my command of English now and want to come here again. Jochum family is the second family for me. I appreciate Jochum family accepting me. Thank you very much.

August 8, 2015

Unforgettable Homestay｜ Yukiko Hoshi

I was very nervous when I was at the welcome party. Because I was so worried about if my host family understood my English. The Jochum family welcomed me brightly and kindly. They told me slowly and chose simply words. I’m really glad to have met this host family. They took me to a lake, museum and many places from the first day. I was able to have fulfilling days. However, I have been disappointed. It was difficult to understand and answer the questions by my host family. I felt that it was difficult to speak English. Manitoba is a very wonderful place. I improved my command of English now and want to come here again. Jochum family is the second family for me. I appreciate Jochum family accepting me. Thank you very much.

August 8, 2015
The very best home stay｜ Atsushi Kobayashi
I experienced many things which I couldn’t do in Japan. For example, I went to a solitary island of the lake for a picnic on a private boat. It was a very beautiful place. I was able to have such a valuable experience. I appreciate a lot for the effort of my host family who gave me this precious experience. In addition, they talked with me in very plain English, which made my stay so enjoyable one. I will never forget my host family. I thought about how I want to cherish the precious encounter with people.

August 8, 2015

The very best home stay｜ Atsushi Kobayashi

I experienced many things which I couldn’t do in Japan. For example, I went to a solitary island of the lake for a picnic on a private boat.
It was a very beautiful place. I was able to have such a valuable experience. I appreciate a lot for the effort of my host family who gave me this precious experience. In addition, they talked with me in very plain English, which made my stay so enjoyable one.
I will never forget my host family. I thought about how I want to cherish the precious encounter with people.

August 8, 2015
Getting through a homestay｜ Ryota Oyama
I have got through a homestay, I know the real difficulty of English. My host family was very pleasant and interesting. All of the family was very kind and tall. Actually, Canadian people spoke more difficult English than I learned in Japan. They also spoke French. They were so cool. I want say “Thank you.” to my host family. I have more and more got to like English. English is wonderful!

August 8, 2015
After homestay｜ Airi Nagasawa
These two weeks were very fulfilling days for me. I was very nervous when I attended the welcome party. Because I still didn’t have any confidence with English. But Carlson family was very kind, so I relieved. There were a lot of events made me excited about during home stay. A Cattle show, camping, birthday party, shopping, going on a picnic, zoo, watching a baseball game and so on… I had many experiences there. They talked a lot to me. But I didn’t know what I should answer. Therefore I could say only simple words “Yes” “No” “OK”. I was very frustrated about that. I was able to learn a lot of things through this program. Above all, I was very glad to be able to spend two weeks as a daughter of the Carson family.

August 8, 2015

After homestay｜ Airi Nagasawa

These two weeks were very fulfilling days for me. I was very nervous when I attended the welcome party. Because I still didn’t have any confidence with English. But Carlson family was very kind, so I relieved.
There were a lot of events made me excited about during home stay. A Cattle show, camping, birthday party, shopping, going on a picnic, zoo, watching a baseball game and so on… I had many experiences there.
They talked a lot to me. But I didn’t know what I should answer. Therefore I could say only simple words “Yes” “No” “OK”. I was very frustrated about that. I was able to learn a lot of things through this program. Above all, I was very glad to be able to spend two weeks as a daughter of the Carson family.

August 1, 2015
A visit to the Ministry of Agriculture of Manitoba｜ Ryuji Seki
On July 30th, we visited the Ministry of Agriculture of Manitoba. The guide of assembly hall told us about the value as a building, the background of building, and so on. According to her explanation, the laws of Manitoba province are made in the hall. And there is a golden statue, whose name is “Golden Boy”, on the top of the roof. It symbolizes “more harvest” and the prosperity of Manitoba. I found that the statue and the building stood for the hearts of people in Manitoba. She also said that the hall had built during World War I, and that the cost had been 9 million dollars. After that, we listened to Vice-minister. She talked about the safety, efficiency, and features of agriculture in Manitoba. I realized the pride for their home land. I deeply appreciate everyone who gave me this precious opportunity. I’m glad to participate in this program.

August 1, 2015

A visit to the Ministry of Agriculture of Manitoba｜ Ryuji Seki

On July 30th, we visited the Ministry of Agriculture of Manitoba. The guide of assembly hall told us about the value as a building, the background of building, and so on.
According to her explanation, the laws of Manitoba province are made in the hall. And there is a golden statue, whose name is “Golden Boy”, on the top of the roof. It symbolizes “more harvest” and the prosperity of Manitoba. I found that the statue and the building stood for the hearts of people in Manitoba. She also said that the hall had built during World War I, and that the cost had been 9 million dollars.
After that, we listened to Vice-minister. She talked about the safety, efficiency, and features of agriculture in Manitoba. I realized the pride for their home land. I deeply appreciate everyone who gave me this precious opportunity. I’m glad to participate in this program.

August 1, 2015
O Canada｜ Miku Oyamada
In Manitoba, at first, we visited the Statehouse. We were explained by the guide and walked around inside. It was huger than I had expected. Not only the size of two statues of bison at the entrance hall, called Winnipeg room, but also the gravity of the assembly hall impressed me a lot. The vice-Minister of Agriculture told us about the nature and the environment, friendly way of agriculture in Winnipeg. We could get new knowledge about Winnipeg through her talk. Then we visited Canola General Centre. We got on board and looked around the huge farm where such crops as rye, corn and soy were grown. Finally, we visited the Dairy Farm, we saw milking. We ate cheese and ice cream made from the milk produced there. This made me think about the food we are now eating. Everything I saw was the precious experience which we cannot learn in Japan. And everything I experienced became the precious food for my mind.

August 1, 2015

O Canada｜ Miku Oyamada

In Manitoba, at first, we visited the Statehouse. We were explained by the guide and walked around inside. It was huger than I had expected. Not only the size of two statues of bison at the entrance hall, called Winnipeg room, but also the gravity of the assembly hall impressed me a lot. The vice-Minister of Agriculture told us about the nature and the environment, friendly way of agriculture in Winnipeg. We could get new knowledge about Winnipeg through her talk.
Then we visited Canola General Centre. We got on board and looked around the huge farm where such crops as rye, corn and soy were grown. Finally, we visited the Dairy Farm, we saw milking. We ate cheese and ice cream made from the milk produced there. This made me think about the food we are now eating. Everything I saw was the precious experience which we cannot learn in Japan. And everything I experienced became the precious food for my mind.

August 1, 2015
At the end of the stay in Seattle｜ Honoka Owada
I learned various things while I stayed in Seattle. I was surprised to experience new things every day. Because I couldn’t understand what people said at first, I didn’t ask question with confidence. One day, A girl told me “Your backpack is cute”. But I couldn’t respond to her well. So I regretted that. At last, the more I had English classes and talked with many people in Seattle, the more I could use English. I want to enjoy my homestay with the experience of Seattle.

August 1, 2015

At the end of the stay in Seattle｜ Honoka Owada

I learned various things while I stayed in Seattle. I was surprised to experience new things every day. Because I couldn’t understand what people said at first, I didn’t ask question with confidence.
One day, A girl told me “Your backpack is cute”. But I couldn’t respond to her well. So I regretted that.
At last, the more I had English classes and talked with many people in Seattle, the more I could use English. I want to enjoy my homestay with the experience of Seattle.

July 31, 2015
My important time｜ Mika Tate
What the most impressed me in Seattle was to have a presentation. I watched and listened to a lot of things with my partner. It was hard for me to present. But since I achieved it, I have more confidence. I will maintain this experience for my homestay in Canada and for my future. I’m sure I can grow through this stay.

July 31, 2015
Seattle｜ Kengo Honda
I could learn and experience various things in Seattle. First, I could not speak English very well because I had the fear and I was nervous. But the more I got to use English, the more I was able to ask teachers questions and talked with local people. I was very happy about that. I visited various places in Seattle and I learned a lot of things. What I learned from this stay will be good for my future.

July 31, 2015

Seattle｜ Kengo Honda

I could learn and experience various things in Seattle.
First, I could not speak English very well because I had the fear and I was nervous. But the more I got to use English, the more I was able to ask teachers questions and talked with local people. I was very happy about that. I visited various places in Seattle and I learned a lot of things. What I learned from this stay will be good for my future.

July 30, 2015
Life in Seattle｜ Taku Endo
Everything in Seattle was new to me. It gave me a lot of experiences. At first, I worried whether I could hear English and I could make myself understood. However, Alex, Mizie, and Tula, who were my teachers, were always trying to tell me so that I could understand. Even if I couldn’t understand soon, they kept trying to speak to me. This made it easy for me to ask them questions positively. In the afternoon every day, we also had activities other than studying English. We visited home for children and play together. We visited home for the Japanese –American elderly and sang together. And we could get chances to talk with local students. When I talked with the,, I felt myself changing. This was my special in Seattle. I will never forget my precious experiences in Seattle.

July 30, 2015

Life in Seattle｜ Taku Endo

Everything in Seattle was new to me. It gave me a lot of experiences. At first, I worried whether I could hear English and I could make myself understood. However, Alex, Mizie, and Tula, who were my teachers, were always trying to tell me so that I could understand. Even if I couldn’t understand soon, they kept trying to speak to me. This made it easy for me to ask them questions positively.
In the afternoon every day, we also had activities other than studying English. We visited home for children and play together. We visited home for the Japanese –American elderly and sang together. And we could get chances to talk with local students. When I talked with the,, I felt myself changing. This was my special in Seattle.
I will never forget my precious experiences in Seattle.

July 23, 2015
In Seattle｜ Ayano Yoshida
I found a lot of things which were different from Japan. The first was English classes in SPU. Of course we had to speak only English. I was so nervous on the first day. But next day, I was able to understand English and try to tell the opinion of myself in English. Then we went to Space Needle. The view from the top was so beautiful. We also went to Pike Place Market. There were various kinds of stuff at the market. Not only fish but also all kinds of stuff! Finally, in the Boys and Girls club, I did origami with a lot of kids. It was a great fun. I’m going to study and enjoy English, also, I’ll be keeping the aim of this trip in my mind during this stay.

July 23, 2015

In Seattle｜ Ayano Yoshida

I found a lot of things which were different from Japan. The first was English classes in SPU. Of course we had to speak only English. I was so nervous on the first day. But next day, I was able to understand English and try to tell the opinion of myself in English. Then we went to Space Needle. The view from the top was so beautiful. We also went to Pike Place Market. There were various kinds of stuff at the market. Not only fish but also all kinds of stuff!
Finally, in the Boys and Girls club, I did origami with a lot of kids. It was a great fun. I’m going to study and enjoy English, also, I’ll be keeping the aim of this trip in my mind during this stay.

July 22, 2015
Reflection and Object｜ Yuki Aita
It took about 9 hours from Narita airport to Vancouver airport. And it took about 1 hour from Vancouver airport to Seattle airport. I arrived at the Seattle Pacific University. I had an orientation and an English test on July 20. It was very hard. On July 21, English class began. We were divided into two groups. I learned how to communicate in English and give a presentation to others. I am still nervous. But I want to improve my skill of speaking English!

July 22, 2015

Reflection and Object｜ Yuki Aita

It took about 9 hours from Narita airport to Vancouver airport. And it took about 1 hour from Vancouver airport to Seattle airport. I arrived at the Seattle Pacific University. I had an orientation and an English test on July 20. It was very hard. On July 21, English class began. We were divided into two groups. I learned how to communicate in English and give a presentation to others. I am still nervous. But I want to improve my skill of speaking English!

July 20, 2015
We leave for Canada!｜ Rika Nemoto
This is my first experience to go abroad. I’m nervous a little, because there’re different cultures and surroundings in the United States and Canada. But I’m really looking forward to experiences there. Moreover I can’t speak English very well, and I’ll try not to be shy, and will be active. I want to learn a lot and enjoy my stay no to throw up this chance. This summer, I want to improve myself and not to be shy. See You!

July 20, 2015

We leave for Canada!｜ Rika Nemoto

This is my first experience to go abroad. I’m nervous a little, because there’re different cultures and surroundings in the United States and Canada. But I’m really looking forward to experiences there. Moreover I can’t speak English very well, and I’ll try not to be shy, and will be active. I want to learn a lot and enjoy my stay no to throw up this chance. This summer, I want to improve myself and not to be shy. See You!