1. What did you enjoy most at Glocal Mitaka?
I most enjoyed the opportunities to integrate into Japanese communities; connecting with children, and through them, parents and teachers really made me feel like a welcome visitor in japan!
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2. What did you learn at Glocal Mitaka?
I learned to respect the impact we can have on individuals or small groups. I learned that small-scale projects can be very fulfilling and helpful for others, and I value other people’s efforts to make the world a better place more than I used to.
Meo
(Vietnam)
1. What did you enjoy most at Glocal Mitaka?
Glocal Mitaka hosted many activities. Among them, I mainly participated in gardening activities. Also, I loved those activities the most. Thanks to M-san and R-san's research, we always knew the best things to plant each season: how to take care of them and when was the best time to harvest them. My colleagues were very skilful at making the most of them, cook the best international food for us to enjoy, and prepare the most beautiful craft things for the kids each time we harvested. I remember all the beautiful drawings we drew when we first prepared what to plant in the next season; the walk C-san peacefully took in front of the sakura and the nanohana (canolas); the big smile J-san wore each time we harvested; how beautifully Y-san sang the night we camped and watched the astronomy on the farm.
Of course, what kept us together was not only the gardening we did on the farm. It was also the part-time discussions that we had on Glocal Mitaka's expansion. I believe all such efforts we made has contributed to the development of Glocal Mitaka.
The moments I spent with them were always the best time that I looked forward to after the whole week concentrating on studying and researching.
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2. What did you learn at Glocal Mitaka?
I had never been a gardener before coming to ICU. When I joined Glocal Mitaka, I just wanted to learn something new, so I decided it would be gardening. I'm so happy that now I'm better at gardening, even after leaving ICU. I've paid attention to all the season movement and learned how to recognize the smallest changes in the wind.
Besides, I don't think that I was volunteering in Glocal Mitaka. Much more than that, I was able to see how Mitaka citizens opened their arms to international students. Thanks to all the enjoyable activities that I had with them, I have been growing and glowing for a better me, and my heart bloomed to its fullest.
1. What did you enjoy most at Glocal Mitaka?
It is hard to choose as every activity conducted with Glocal Mitaka was very enjoyable. However, visiting the local elementary schools was one of my favorite activities as (I felt that) the cultural exchange was very meaningful for both sides. Japanese children were very smart and open to learning about my culture, in fact they had already done some research about touristic spots in Colombia. We danced and they got a sense of the joy of my culture. After all, they expressed their desire to visit my country someday in the future. On my side, I was so touched and inspired by their joy, curiosity and discipline. They were great listeners and I surely will treasure those smiles with me for a long time.
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2. What did you learn at Glocal Mitaka?
There are several lessons, however, by being with Glocal Mitaka I confirmed that despite that most Japanese people seem to be shy, they are very kind and they really enjoy learning about other cultures. In addition, I learned that there is so much growth coming from cultural exchange, it fosters mutual understanding and, for instance, next time when they hear something negative from my country, they will have a positive perspective to balance both visions. Additionally, I confirmed that kindness is everywhere, for example, Glocal Mitaka did not only allow me to be closer to japanese culture, families and communities but also, I felt like their members were my japanese family and I just felt safe because I knew I could always count on them. Last but not least, from their coordinator I learned the love for the communities, they were always very thoughtful, they volunteered their time and efforts in order to raise awareness about diversity within their communities, planting a seed of peace and mutual understanding in those children and their parents.
Angela
(Columbia)
