We had a short self introduction, and several JSS members were assigned to different groups of the Japanese students. We had some trouble communicating with them at first, but as time passed, everyone began to open up and we talked about various things like our favorite Japanese and Korean singers.
The first stop of the visit was the South East Asian Museum at the University Cultural Centre. The Japanese were slightly interested in the paintings done by Singaporean artist, Cheong Soo Pieng. As most of us finished touring the place before the allocated time, we hung out near the entrance and had a small chit chat session much to the annoyance of the curator.
At 3pm, we took a shuttle bus back to the Deck, where we recommended the Seitoku students to have fruit juice. It was much fun; some of us struggled with explaining the type of fruits available. After getting our drinks, both JSS and Seitoku students did more chatting; some of us even discussed the types of guys we liked!
Next was a presentation session by the students and topics are as follows: Akihabara/Anime, Korean Boom in Japan, Traditional Japanese Clothes, and Asakusa. All of them were very interesting and we had a rather interactive Q&A session.Before leaving for dinner, the Seitoku students sang a song titled ‘Tsubasa wo Kudasai’ for us! It was very sweet. Both sides exchanged souvenirs.
Dinner was at Vivocity! Most of the Seitoku students had heard of chicken rice and were interested to try it. They liked it, but thought the chili was a tad too spicy for them.The day flew by fast and some of us sent the Seitoku students and professors back to the hotel.
We also sent them off on 28th May at Changi Airport. Unfortunately we couldn’t have much time with them as they had to enter the departure gates as allocated by their tour agency. We gave them some souvenirs and made promises to visit them when we go to Tokyo!
Felicia.
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More pictures can be found at the NUS JSS Facebook group
]]>Not only was it a chance to learn more about the language, I guess we all walked away learning more about the differences in culture and learning to see Singapore through a different set of eyes which was very refreshing and おもしろいwhen faced with questions about our culture and history which was taken for granted. Such as why people here do not carry a fan and towel with them since it is blazing hot everywhere in Singapore when back home(Japan) it is impossible to imagine someone not doing so.
Food was definitely a good ice breaker and it was amusing bringing them around to all the hawker stalls in Singapore, seeing their faces grimace in horror to the initial sight of the foreign and often spicy looking food but ending up loving it. And it was cheap since meals were mainly not pricy.The friendships made during this short period of 5 days is definitely memorable and fruitful as I believe everyone’s command of the language improved and became more confident in speaking in Japanese. This is a rare chance and I would definitely recommend this to anyone reading it who have not hosted before or wanting to practise their Japanese instead of doing so in a control environment such as a class.
Wesley
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The first time she saw the HDB block that I was staying at, she was amazed at how tall the building was. As she was pretty tired from the flight, we had an early night to prepare for the next day’s activities. The next day, we went to school by MRT, and again, she was rather excited to start the day off by riding on the train. We had a tour to the Culture Room at JS department where it was the first time they had ever experience the traditional tea ceremony. After lunch at the engineering canteen, we took a hike at Mt Faber. Even though it was tiring, we really had fun interacting with them as a group!
As she requested to have dinner with my family on Sunday, we took her to the old airport road for dinner. There we had a feast, eating chilli crab, herbal chicken, cha kuay teow and drinking sugar cane juice. Even though the rest of my family members do not speak Japanese, they were still able to communicate because Fumi’s English is really good! After dinner, we brought her to Geylang Serai to see the Pasar Malam inconjunction with Hari Raya. She surprised us with the knowledge of knowing how to speak simple Malay. When we were back home, as we were still in the month of the Ghost Festival, my mom brought her to see the Wayang which was fascinating for her because she has never seen anything like that.
Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the activities on the other days due to school, thus I wasn’t able to join her. But every night we would talk about her day and she would jabber happily about her day and what she bought. We even had a try-on-her-new-clothes session!
I attended the BBQ on the last night and because I had an assignment that I had to rush for, I couldn’t stay and send her off the next day. So our last goodbyes were said during the BBQ when I was about to leave. I guess, both of us were trying not to cry, and we kept talking and hugging and refused to part. It was sad for me to see her for the last time! And I will and am definitely missing her!
Charmaine
]]>It could not have been any more coincidental. I started to run a fever the same night the five Japanese arrived. The fever did not want to go away and soon came the other symptoms (of flu). I was upset at myself for being sick, not being able to spend the first two days with them. I also had to inconvenience a few others to bring her out or fetch her home. Well at least to Naho’s advantage, she had my whole room to herself!
I think I rested enough, I became better on the third day and I finally went out with them at night to the Night Safari. That was when I started to get to know the other four Japanese better. However, language barrier was another problem for me. My LAJ1 standard of Japanese is definitely not enough to converse with them. Apart from Naho, the rest could not really speak English well. Watching the rest talking to them in fluent Japanese made me a little envious. Well at the end, I only found myself saying a few standard things such as “are you hungry”, ”are you tired” and “are you alright?” It’s a good thing I had many translators with me.
Well apart from the whole unable to talk much thing, I did enjoy going out with them. Taking them shopping, letting them try all kinds of local delicacies and basically touring Singapore in three days with them. Along the way I learnt a few more Japanese words to use! This homestay did motivate me to want to learn more Japanese. Maybe the next time I see time, if there is, I might be able to speak more than those few pathetic phrases I know now. Oh yes, I cannot forget about the new (Singaporean) friends made and the stronger friendships forged between old ones 
Some photos to share!
Camelita
]]>Upon the arrival of the Japanese students, we suggested several activities for them to choose on certain nights. Many of them actually didn’t experience clubbing in Fukuoka due to various reasons; hence they were very excited about it. We had decided to bring them there and it was a refreshing experience for them.
It was a night when everyone let their hair down and party the night away.
The very following day, we went to Sentosa for some ball games and activities. Everyone was really sporty and the overall mood didn’t dampen despite it was raining.
Sad to say it was soon time for them to leave. Despite such a short time, close friendship ties were formed and it was sad that they had to leave. It was a rather emotional scene.
Although I didn’t go with my guest Akihiro to many places, we chatted over the night and we were comfortable with each other presence. He wrote a piece of letter in English to show his appreciation and my Mom was very touched by it. It was a great experience for both myself and my family.
Alden
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Hiking on the first morning after they arrived was definitely memorable. In spite of having to walk uphill in the heat, it provided us with a good opportunity to chat and know each other better. We all became considerably closer after the hike.
Saturday night, which was spent clubbing, was fun as well. It was not only a first experience for the Japanese students, but also for many of us as well (me included). The tiring hike in the morning did not stop us from going home at 2am in the morning, although it is considered early for clubbing.
The activities on Sunday started late, in consideration for the events of the previous night. After a delicious lunch at Vivo City, where we discovered the 3 Japanese girls were really good at eating spicy food, they went to Sentosa and had an enjoyable day playing on the beach.
Skipping ahead to Wednesday, the last day before the students were due to leave Singapore, everyone was a little sad but still had a fun time at the chalet. Dinner was barbecue, and after dinner we mingled around, played some small games, and basically enjoyed each other’s company before we had to be separated.
The farewell at the airport the next morning was rather emotional. Mari-san cried when she hugged me for the last time before entering the Departure gate, and I was very touched. Although I was unable to go with her to many places, we chatted with each other at night and were really comfortable with each other. If we are from the same place we would have become close friends. I hope next year, I will have the chance to go to Japan and meet Mari-san and the other Japanese students again.
Xiaowen
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If you missed out on this year’s Natsu Matsuri, there’s the Seiransai at the Waseda-Shibuya High School on 20th September, or you can always wait till next year. (:
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