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HOME > NEWS & TOPICS > Students' Diaries

Students' Diaries

August 14, 2016
The precious adventure | Maika Sato
Finally, this long adventure is about to finish. It looks sad, but it’s the thing that we can be proud of. I’ve been happy during this adventure, because I had the best companions and a kind host family. This adventure has taught me the importance of people who are around me. I’ll show what I’ve learned by talking actions and share it with people. I appreciate that many people helped us and gave us wonderful memories. I’ll never forget that memories of summer. In Japan, we’ll miss our host family and friends in Seattle and Canada. I think it is an important part of this adventure. I want to say to them, “See you again!”
August 14, 2016
Another life | Natsumi Takasaka
I found a lot of new things at this program.
In America, I learned about many things of Seattle and idioms from teachers of ACE. For example, “I felt butterflies in my stomach” “I jumped to conclusions” “Speaking English is a piece of cake.” These sentences are three idioms. I want to learn English more.
In Canada, I spent valuable experiences with my host family. I couldn’t speak English well. But they talked a lot with me. And they told me about Manitoba. I want to invite my host family to my house when they come to Japan.
August 13, 2016
The importance of family | Aoi Fushimi
“Hello!” The time which I spent with my host family just flew. At first, I was very nervous, but mom said to me “You are a member of the Nickel family” which made me happy. The Nickel family lived in a farm house, so there are a lot of animals such as horses, cats, chickens, dog and so on in the garden. Also there are six children and more than forty cousins in their family. Through the homestay, I realized the power of family and understood the importance of family. The Nickel family was my precious family because they have great faith in each other and give each other help/ In addition, the children help mom with the house work every day, which made me surprised. Thank you, the Nickel family. I love you.
August 13, 2016
In Manitoba | Motoki Fujitani
I was a lucky student. I had two host families. In the first week, Buchanan family let me stay with them. I learned how to drive a quad, combined with Joryn and kayaked. They treated me as a member of their family. I saw the Milky Way and the northern lights when I went camping. I’ll never forget it.
In the second week, I spent a good time with Preston family. I fed cows and worked in the garden with Lisa. They had three cats in their house, one of them whose name was Zoe, liked me. She always sat on my knees. On the first day, Lisa showed me how to make a zucchini cake. I made Japanese pickled cucumber as return. This summer was the best summer!
August 13, 2016
Family | Daigo Goto
When my host family came up, I was very nervous. But I was sure my home stay would be great because they talked to me friendly. They told me about Canada and took me to various places.
It was my first experiences so I was very excited. Although I was worried about my English, I got to communicate with them using easy words. And we cooked together many times. I was honored to exchange our cultures with each other.
I am very happy to join this wonderful program.
August 13, 2016
Memory of home stay in Canada | Makoto Sampei
I experienced many great things in this home stay. Those are all my first time. So I’ll tell you some impressive events. First, I went to a lake and played kayaking, riding a paddle board and jumping into a lake. I heard that the deepest spot has over 100 meters. I was amazed. Second, I went fishing. I caught two fishes but I couldn’t kiss fish. It was very exciting because I have never done fishing until then. Lastly, I touched on Canadian people’s kindness through this home stay. Thanks to them, I enjoyed for two weeks. My host family took me to various places. Also I became acquainted with many people. I will never forget my memory in Canada. Thank you so much.
August 12, 2016
Great experiences | Ai Mori
We finished the stay in Seattle and we went to Manitoba. I was nervous at first, but I was glad for the kindness of my host family. During the home stay, I visited a lot of places. For example, the beach, a shopping mall, a movie theater, zoo and so on. And I had great experiences, making jam, watching many movies, sewing, feeding to horses and chickens.
I will not forget the beautiful stars. My host family told me a lot of things about Manitoba. Thanks to the consideration and gentleness of them, I spent a pleasant days. I met many people and I talked with them.
Everyone was kind for me so I was moved. I appreciate everything.
August 12, 2016
My two weeks | Koyuki Sato
I had amazing time in Canada for two weeks. At first, I was very nervous but it became fun over time. Canada has many lakes. So my host family took me to lakes many times. And my host family is farmer so they bred cows, pigs and chickens. I helped to feed pigs and cows. The pigs ate the eggs. I was surprised. I was able to know that how they brought up domestic animals that we usually eat. Every experience was the first time for me. Then I gave Japanese souvenirs to my host family. Host sister likes Origami so we made cranes and flowers. And I made Gyoza and fried rice, omelet. I was uneasy about whether I could make delicious dishes but they really liked my dishes. I was able to have confidence in myself at the home stay.
August 12, 2016
Yuto English | Yuto Kasai
I was very nervous before the welcome party to meet my host family. But I spent ten days already in Seattle. So I talked to myself. “I can do it.” At first, I could speak a little English so it was difficult to have communication by words.
However! We played sports and made a Japanese food. I spent very very good two weeks. Manitoban people are very kind and friendly. I really really thank them. It was lucky to spend an enjoyable time with Whetter family. I love everyone. Thank you so much.
August 12, 2016
Two lives | Rina Watabe
I stayed at two different homes. I was nervous at first, but they were so kind to me. I was happy about that.
Dyck family is farmer. I loved the pancakes made by host mother with fresh eggs. So I asked her to give me the recipe.
Perreault family lived near Winnipeg. They took me to the zoo and the shopping mall. I was able to watch a polar bear there. It was very impressive.
I enjoyed my life with two families.
July 29, 2016
Manitoba | Seiki Kanno
We went to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. We visited the minister of MAFRD. The building was built in 1920. In one room, there were pictures of Kings and Queens of England on the walls. The pictures had a trick, from wherever we see the pictures, the eyes of Kings and Queens looked at us. The minister welcomed us.
In the afternoon, we went to a daily farm in Manitoba. There were a little young cows and big old cows. We found that cows felt good when we touched backs of the heads. On that day, we knew that agriculture was very popular in Manitoba.
July 29, 2016
The nature and the history of Manitoba | Yayoi Ito
On the first day in Canada, we went to the Canola Learning Center. I knew how to make canola oil and made the salad dressing with the oil. I was surprised to see the huge canola fields and the large tractors. I was able to get in driver’s seat in the tractor
and it was one of the most precious experiences. Second, we learned about the culture of aboriginal people. It was important for them to live with bison. I was amazed a lot that afternoon in Manitoba. I want try new things aggressively during my homestay. I will do my best.
July 27, 2016
At Seattle | Rina Namai
The life in Seattle made me grow up. When we had the first class, I didn’t understand what a native speaker of English said. I thought I should study English harder because everyone nodded, listening to teachers. So when I didn’t understand, I asked a question to my friends. I tried to understand what teacher said and made efforts to listen the words I knew. Then I got better little by little. At the final presentation, I worked with my partner and did it very well. We went to the baseball game and the Nikkei Manor. We came in touch with the culture and the life in Seattle.
We made friends with King’s high school students.
After dinner, we had a meeting. We talked with each other. We tried to make this program better. I was not sure about my English and I couldn’t talk to people in English. But by using how to talk and gestures I learned in class, I talked with so many people in Seattle. I will not forget the things I learned at SPU. And I want to do my best at my home stay.
Lastly, I thank Annie, Virginia, Brenna and Tula in SPU.
July 26, 2016
Pleasant time in Seattle | Arisa Watanabe
The days in Seattle became my precious memories. On July 23rd, we went to the downtown which was the most exciting place I have ever seen because there were many people, street musicians, high-class shops and so on. Afterwards, we saw the BFG movie. It was a good movie and I was moved. I wanted to see it again. On July 24th, we went to Fremont tour and saw many interesting things! A very big bridge, a big troll, a big rocket and a very beautiful view were there. Those made me very happy. Afterwards, we went shopping and I bought some macarons and Starbucks coffee. I had a good time there and I could talk with high school students in Seattle.
July 21, 2016
Seattle memories | Saya Sato
We went to Nikkei manor. When I went there, I met many Japanese and American people. We sang three songs in front of elderly people. We sang “Ue o muite arukou” “Furusato” “Harugakita”. Some people cried when they listened to our songs. I talked with an elderly woman. It was interesting. We made origami and gave to them. They looked so happy.
We went to the Boys & Girls Club. We played ball games there. For example, basketball, dodge ball. After that, we made origami and gave to children. I talked with them while eating ice cream. There was a child who could be able to speak Japanese well. I was surprised. I was able to spend a very happy time.
July 21, 2016
The Best Entertainment | Takuya Aota
We enjoyed a baseball game in Safeco Field. It is home of Seattle Mariners. I want to tell you about three things. First, the stadium was big. So many people could watch the game together. I think it was difficult to build such a big stadium in Japan. Second, American food and drink ware really big. Maybe it is not easy for Japanese to eat and drink all. For example, the hamburger and the cup for beverage were big. Third, the technology (picture and music) can be able to make us more excited. It was just like a scene out of a movie. I was so excited, because I had played baseball for nine years. I looked up to Japanese major leaguers. I am sure they make an effort every day. The major league is the best entertainment.
July 21, 2016
Fullness a day | Towa Suzuki
On the second day since we came to America, we had various experiences. One was the English classes. We were divided into the A team and the B team. I learned how to make a presentation with PC. At the B team, our teacher was Ms. Brenna. She is young and spoke native English slowly. It was easier to hear it. At the class of the latter half, our teacher was by Ms. Tula. She taught a communication method. Ms. Tula was pleased with our having come to Seattle, with a very gentle smile heartily. We learned that the communication words that we should use were simple words. We have learned, for example, we should use “Hi” ”Hey” ”How are you?” We had a good class. I practiced an exercise to say Hello. I was challenged to talk about anything. After lunch, we visited the downtown. First, we went to Space Needle. It was very tall, and just like the Tokyo Sky Tree, we could go to the top by elevator. We went up with our new friends Caulo, Alina and Lexii, and we had a good time, learning various things with them. Second, we went to the Pike’s place Market. We found bouquet, street musicians and the big statue of pig there. It was a new experience to me, and I would like to make the best of it in my life.
July 21, 2016
Starting | Ayu Imaizumi
Today was a very very long day because there were nearly 40 hours in a day.
I was very nervous because it’s my first time I have participated in overseas program. But I was able to be relaxed to spend time with Natsumi and Ai.
I was glad when I was able to be boarding at the airport and I was impressed by the conversation I studied in Japan. When I arrived at SPU, I was able to talk to some foreign people. But I talked a little so I want to talk a lot of tomorrow.
I made a speech in front of everyone on evening activity. When I made a speech, I got a little confidence. My goal of tomorrow is talking with a lot of Americans.
July 18, 2016
To Challenge the special summer | Ayano Ise
The long awaited day has finally come.
My heart is filled with expectation and fear because I will meet the world that I have not experienced before. All the members of this program must have the same feelings as mine. My goal of this program is to be active and friendly. I want to communicate with people actively so that I don’t miss the chances to talk with native speakers of English. I have an awareness that not only as a member of this program but also as a delegate of high school students of Fukushima. I have to be responsible for what I say and what I do in America and Canada. I also would like to enjoy the “real” overseas experiences. We want to spend a very special summer in America and Canada. I want to grow myself as well as my English skills! Thank you.