2010
Valuable Experience
Naridtiphol チュラロンコン大学大学院 まず自己紹介からはじめましょう。ニックネームはフィルで、タイ王国の出身です。このプログラムに参加できたのは、このグループのメンバーの一人からお誘いを受けたからです。当時、長い夏休みにはいっていました。正直なところ、このプログラムに参加したのは旅行がしたかったからです。でもこのプログラムは期待以上のものを与えてくれました。 はじめて日本人とインドネシア人の参加者に会ったとき、彼らと友達になるのは難しいな・・・と思いました。なぜなら私の英語力は不十分ですし、私の風貌は友好的には見えないからです。さらに私の彼らに対する意見は、過去の経験と知識の不足から、良いものではありませんでした。しかし、彼らとともに、いろいろな活動をするうちに、彼らが日本人、インドネシア人、マレーシア人、台湾人であるにもかかわらず、受容し、認めることができるようになりました。私の悲観主義と過去の経験から作られていた障壁は崩壊したのです。 一日、三日、一週間と経つうちに、結びつきは深くなりました。英語力は問題ではなくなりました。会話は笑顔で始まり、大笑いで終わるのが普通となりました。一緒に居るのはプログラム活動の時だけでなく、二四時間になりました。何も違いが無いと思うようになり、異国から来ていることも忘れました。まるで高校時代からの友達のようになってきたのです。 でも時の過ぎるのは早く、訪ねた全ての地に思い出が残り、通った道筋には笑いの洪水が空気に響き渡りました。でも異国の友人たちは国に帰らなくてはなりません。愛の涙が流れましたが、その一粒一粒は美しく、意義あるものだと感じました。私たちはこれからも連絡を取り合うでしょう。なぜなら永遠の友だからです。 最後になりますが、このプログラムは本物のクロスカルチャープログラムです。完璧で適切でした。すでに述べましたが、期待を超えるものを得ることが出来ました。多くの方が私のように、価値ある体験が出来ることを願っています。□ "An Honest Story"
Sena Nakamura 獨協大学 最初は、帰り際に自分が泣くなんて思わなかったし、口に合わないであろう料理で激痩せして帰るつもりだった。 この旅に参加する動機も至極単純なもので、もちろん大学での専攻と SOAの「文化交流」という趣旨が合っていたというのも嘘「ではない」が、やっぱり私にそんな純粋な気持ちだけがあった訳ではなくて。 親の同伴なしに行く初めての海外旅行。 滞在費はサポートしてもらえる上に、他国からの学生も参加。 日数もそこそこあって、移動はバス(怠け者には嬉しい特典)。 ・・・・なんとも不純な動機ではないだろうか(申し訳ないです・・)。 ところが、帰国日の私は以前と変わらぬ体型のまま、顔だけが涙でぐちゃぐちゃだった。 なんと言えば良いのか、今回の旅は「warm」という言葉がよく合うと思う。 欧米とはまた違うフレンドリーな雰囲気や、 皮肉っぽさのないユーモア、 楽しむ部分は楽しむが、やっぱりどこか真面目なところがあって、落ち着いている。 アジア人であるからこそ作れた家族的な雰囲気だったのかもしれない。 近年の社会や若い世代の学生やらがamericanizeしてる中で、このプログラムは私にとって一種の衝撃で、つくづく自分が「井の中の蛙」状態であったのかを痛感した。 日本はアジア圏でいうと、裕福で安全でランク的にも上位にいる国だと思う。 国内で大規模な反乱が起きることもなく、快適にすごせて、大多数というかほとんどの国民が就学できている。 そういったことをふまえて、偏見だとかそういったものではなく、でも自分が優位にたったような気持ちになっていたところがどこかにあったと思う。 でも今では他国の学生たちと自分の優秀さ、熱心さの格差に頭があがらない。 SOAの活動は、多分、老若男女関わらず日本人にとって自分達がいかに現状に目を向けられていないかを知るきっかけをくれる良い意味で一つの大きなパンチであると思う。 少なからず、私にとってはそうだった。 私はこれからもこの活動を応援したいと心の底から思う。 そして私に大きな衝撃を与えてくれた波多野さん、ありがとうございました。 Love you all, and thank you so much for everything. Sena Nakamura from Japan A novel
Akio Yanagawa 文教大学 一冊の小説を読み終えたような気分だ。続きを読みたい。 私は旅を終え、日本へと戻る飛行機の中で、こう感じていた。 1月も終わりに近づいたころ、私はしょうちゃん(原田翔太)とニューヨーク旅行の計画に心を躍らせていた。 世界の中心、ニューヨーク。カッコよくて、すべてにおいて先を走り続ける都市。ニューヨークは私の憧れの地であった。しかし、いざツアーの予約をしてみると、どの会社もすでに定員オーバー、私たちの夢はあっけなく散った。 そんなときに、私の大学の教授から持ちかけられたのが、Sing Out Asiaのクロスカルチャーの旅への参加であった。私としょうちゃんは、「まぁ勉強の息抜きに海外には行こうと思っていたし、参加しようか」と、軽い気持ちで参加を決めた。この時私たちは、この旅が私たちの人生や価値観を変える旅になることをまだ知らない。 私は刺激を人一倍求める人間だ。 大学生になり、刺激を求めてロサンゼルスに語学留学したり、シンガポールへ旅行したりしたが、思い返せば、今回の旅ほど、刺激と充実感に満ち足りていた旅はない。毎日すべて体力を使い切り、それでも夜遅くまでアジアの友人たちとトランプで遊び、語り明かした。幸いバス移動だったため車中で睡眠をとれてノープロブレム。全10日の旅はあっという間に終わってしまった。 留学や旅行と今回の旅、両者の決定的な違いは、前者の目的が「個人の目的の達成」である一方で、後者の目的は「仲間との目的の達成」だという点であると思う。留学や旅行においては、私的な目的が達成できれば十分。自分自身の行動により成否が決まる。それに対し、今回のクロスカルチャーの旅では、「アジアの人たちと友好を築き、団結を高める」ことができなければ目的達成とは言えない。ずいぶんと難しいようにも思える。しかし、それは先入観でしかなく、気づけば参加者全員ととても仲良くなることができていた。なぜか。それは、我々がみな「同じアジアを共有する仲間」のメンバーであるからだと私は考える。 多様性に富むアジア。各国の団結は今まさに求められており、それぞれの文化の違いを「お国柄」ですませることはもはやできない。その団結に、このクロスカルチャーの旅は大変大きな貢献をしていると私は思っている。 私は今回の旅に参加して、人生の方向性と価値観が全く変わった。私は中学の英語教師を目指している。英語学習というと、得てして欧米にばかり目を向けがちであるが、旅を終えた今、私は、私たちの暮らすアジアの多様性を理解し、それを受け入れることのできる子どもを育てたいと強く思っている。英語教育の目的は国際人の育成、自国や欧米にばかり目を向けている者は真の国際人にはなりえない。また、私は「日本はアジアを牽引する存在である」という価値観を抱いていたが、今回の旅でそれは完全になくなった。バンコクのスワンナブーム国際空港に降り立った際、何ともいえぬ「ほっ」とする雰囲気を感じたことは今でも忘れられない。街に繰り出したり、行き交う人を眺めたり、ナイトマーケットで値切っている時でさえ、なにか日本と似たような感覚、懐かしいような感じを常に抱いていた。それは、我々が同じ「アジア人」であり、「アジアを共有する仲間である」からだと思う。アジアをリードするのではなく、ともにアジアの繁栄を目指す精神こそが大切なのだと、今、強く感じている。 ウボンのホテルで2日間にわたり行った「クロスカルチュラル・トレーニング」も、私にとってはとても意味あるものだった。教育の分野に「構成的グループエンカウンター(Structured Group Encounter; SGE)」というものがあるが、クロスカルチュラル・トレーニングはそれとよく似ている。他者との交流を促進し異なる文化を受け入れるために、既存の人間関係をいい意味で壊し、どんどん新たな人間関係を築くクロスカルチュラル・トレーニングは、入学したての新入生たちの新たな友好関係の構築を促進するSGEと目的が同じである。教師になってからは、SGEと並行してクロスカルチュラル・トレーニングを活用し、子どもたちが言語の壁などを気にすることなく文化交流をするための足掛かりとしたいと考えている。 私には今、目標が2つある。1つは、自らがアジアの国々をつなぐ架け橋として活躍し、アジアと世界を結ぶことができる国際人になること。そしてもう1つは、教育を通じて、日本人であるとともに「アジア人」であるという意識を持ち、アジアの多様性を理解し受け入れる人材を育てること、である。夢が大きすぎる、と笑われるかもしれない。しかし、私は現に、こんなにもアジアの仲間たちと深い友情を築くことができた。この、言葉では言い表せないほどの嬉しさ、そしてかけがえのない体験を、もっと多くの人たちに味わってもらいたい。私は、小さな力かもしれないが、持てる力のすべてを、この2つの目標に注いでいきたいと思う。また、このような素晴らしい機会を提供しているSing Out Asiaにこれからも協力していきたい。 旅で出会い親しくなった仲間たちとはfacebookやメール、チャットを通してやりとりが続いている。今や隣町に行くよりもインターネットで隣の国に行くほうが早い時代であるが、何時間もかけて現地へ行き、そこで得られるものはインターネットよりもはるかに多く、興味深い。今は、今年の秋に旅の仲間の国を訪れる予定で話が進んでいる。今回の旅で築いた深い友情を、いつまでも大事にしていきたい。素晴らしい小説のようなこの旅には、まだまだ続きがある。 最後に、かけがえのない機会を与えてくださったSing Out Asiaの波多野さん、メンバーの皆さん、そして旅で出会ったアジアの家族たちへ、感謝をこめて。 It was nice to see you all, my SOA big family. I miss you all and hope to see you soon again! Best wishes, AKIO from JAPAN |
Valuable Experience
Naridtiphol Chulalongkorn University First of all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Naridtiphol from Thailand. I had a chance to attend this program by invitation from one of this group member. At that time, it was my long vacation. Honestly, I attended this program because I just want to travel. But this program had given me not only my expectation. As first time I saw my Japanese and Indonesian friends, I thought it will be hard to me to be their friends because my English is not good and my appearance not look friendly. Moreover, my view towards them was not good due to past experience and lack of information. By playing activities together, I absorbed and accepted their identities even they are Japanese, Indonesian, Malaysian, or Taiwanese. My pessimistic and past experience which built a barrier was collapsed. One day to three days and a week, we got more tied in relationship. English was not important anymore; we ordinary started conversation by smile and ended with laugh. We stayed together not only in program activities but we also hang out all the time. At that time, I didn’t think we were different or came from different countries but I realized that we are friends like friends who known each other since high school. However the time flies, every place we visited have our good memory, every route we passed have laugh steam flood in the air. Our friends had to go back to their home countries. I can see the tear of love and feel how beautiful and meaningful of each drop. So that why we still keep in touch because we are friend forever. Lastly, this program is real cross culture program. Everything is perfect and suitable. I got something more than my expectation as I mention above. So I hope other people can get a valuable experience like I can. "An Honest Story"
Sena Nakamura Dokyyo University I never thought I might cry on the way back to Japan. My plan was to get back home with very slim body for I thought I could not stomach Thai food. My motive for joining the trip was simple. Of course Cross-Culture Exchange is what I learn at my University. However, I was not that pure-hearted. This was my first oversea trip without parents. Travel expenses are supported and can meet students from other countries. Duration of the trip was good and traveling by bus. (Good news for I am lazy) .....What impure motives...sorry....... However, I came back with the same body shape. Only my face was squashy because of tears. I do not know what to say but a word "Warm" may narrates the trip well. We had a friendly atmosphere that different from the West. Humors without sarcasm. We enjoyed a lot but somehow serious and kept calmness. This family like atmosphere may be produced because we are Asians. Our society and young generation have been Americanized. This program was a great shock to me. I felt acutely that I am like a frog in a small well and do not know the big ocean. I think Japan is a safe place and wealthy and ranked high in Asia. We have no big rebellion and can live comfortably. Most of our citizen can get higher education. Thinking of this, not prejudice but I somehow had a superior feeling, I think. However, now, I have to take off my hat to students from other countries for their excellence and enthusiasm. SOA activities may give a chance to Japanese, young and old, to realize that we are not facing a reality. This is a big punch in a positive sense. At least for me it was. I want to support this activity. I feel this from bottom of my heart. Thank you for giving me such a big shock, Hatano-san. Love you all, and thank you so much for everything. Sena Nakamura from Japan Really eyes opening
Ong Chen Fei Malaysia Firstly I want to thanks SOA that providing such great opportunity for youth like us to participate in this wonderful and fun program. My understanding of SOA during the whole trip, it is a program that wants to bring everyone together and to make each other to know people from different nation to work together. Cross cultural understanding and knowledge sharing among Asia people is quite an interesting thing to do so. In Malaysia, we had different races and culture lying all around and great to share what we know to other Asian countries. When I first touched down at Bangkok airport, I really not sure what it is going to be happen for the whole 9 days. I was wondering what kind of people and what kind of activities that we are going to do. During the trip, we landed at ‘ubon’ for our first day cross culturing program in the hotel. The games are interesting where to tell you the truth; it is my first time playing and experiences it. All the games come with special meaning and it is trying to make us understand how other countries culture, rules and regulation works. We cannot judge the country at first impression and we need to blend and learn why this happening is and it is definitely a reason behind it. I personally love the “Ba-fa” game. “Ba-Fa” game is a game that thought us to actually understand the other culture before making any judgement. No countries that are perfect and definitely all countries have their own ways of operating it. it is really eyes opening for me. A simple game can make such an impact. Everyone are very friendly and start open up especially after some activities that hatano san arranged. It forces us to mix around with other nation and start working together where I think it is really great moves that actually break the barrier of shyness and the mentality of clicking to own group. It makes us to start communication and understand each nation cultures, likes, dislikes, language and many other interesting sharing. The touring makes a lot more impact too where we have to travel on bus with each other for few hours. It actually given us the opportunity to start communicating with each other. We able to learn the game call Killer game from the Thai’s and Japanese where actually in Malaysia we call it ‘Mafia’. So we able to add in something that we have in our ‘Mafia’ game into the ‘Killer’ game. We had so much fun thanks to hatano san for His room. I’d learned a new game which I cannot remember the game called. It is requiring counting with our finger and calling our own names where the Thai’s doing it maximum 4 times but the Japanese doing it maximum 8 times. What I can say is that SOA given us the opportunity and gateway to connect different Asia countries together to break the old traditional mentality. Friendships are build among the group and we had a lot of fun together and we are actually learning from each other our daily lifestyle and culture. We had sports together, throwing each other into the seas, playing cards, telling jokes, dancing together, photo sessions, sightseeing, shopping and visitation in Bangkok famous tourism areas. This we cannot get from just going alone. I’m really blessed to be able to join this and really wanted to be a part of it. I will definitely provide my helps to Hatano san to help SOA to grow to another level and to bring more youth into this movement to build another great generation together in future. No barrier, no grudge and work together as ONE. Hopefully it's helps ya... Keep me inform of activities too... Want to join and be a part of this family.. Thanks Hatano san!!!! Thanks SOA!!!! Best Regards It's so fun and made me think a lot
Kwang Chulalongkorn University For 1week that I and our friends travel together, I think this program is fun and can help us close very quickly. I like the activities in Ubon but I think it's not enough. I realy like the game that we played. It's so fun and made me think a lot about the difference of culture. I think we should do activities at the early of the trip and at late of the trip again but it must be different. At the early we had activities in Ubon I think it's like the activities for ice breaking ,break our wall and make us be closer and have a strong bond. And I think in the late of the trip should have more activities that everybody can do together. I like the evening in Rayong that we played volleyball together(but not all of us). It's very nice game and I had so much fun. I can't forget that day. Furthermore, about presentation I think we should add more content of the presentation and should let member present their culture more. I learn the different culture from talking to friends but I can't talk to everyone and ask them about their culture much. Anyway, I really appreciate this trip very much. I love to meet new friends and the member of this trip is very nice^^ I think that I'm so lucky to join this program because I met many good friends and can be one member this lovely SOA family. Thank you very much for holding this program. I hope that I can join this program next time ^^ |
An intimate big family
Ruby Yang Taiwan It's my great honor to participate in this special program. Meeting people overseas and finally recongnized we can be such a intimate big family. We Asians are very optimistic to cooperate and accept other cultures' differences s' in a sensitive way. Frankly there aren't many opportunities like this for colleges s' students in Taiwan or even in other countries. When I told my friends about this awesame news, they are mostly jealous :D The culture training part let me know each other more and meet new friends. My favorite part was the last game (Alpha & Beta), That makes me really think about the culture differences because we really simulated the situation and try to break ice enthusiastically. In addition, visiting tourist spots are very inspiring to me bacause I love traveling soooo much. The perception of affinity brought us together, and it will never disappear. After coming back from Thailand I've been thinking about this program a lot. Well, actually I have been discussing with Jessica and Marie about how we can improve this trip into a better situation occationally. We all anticipate SOA to be a very magnificent program for young generation in Asia. in this case, I have some suggestions for Mr.Hatano, sponsors and all the participants. Hope you like it because that's why we need opinions overseas. :-D First of all, Here are some important elements of helding an activity: people, issue, time, location, content. These suggestions will be proposed to you guys gradully. 1.People(hosts and visitors) *Host: Are there any detail plans that can we arranged by hosts? Do responsible person from other countries need to cooperate or help? Can any group activities or guiding projects be planed first? Perhaps a big flag from this trip especially for taking photos is necessary? *Visitors: Do we have any standard of selecting and gathering people? Is English speaking ability claimed? What should they prepare first? (tipical snacks, national flags, pins, traditional costumes, things to share?) If we need to talk about Asia status and how to make it better, is it necessary for them to do some researh first at home? 2.Issue: Does everyone know our main goals and missions? What can we do on our journey or on the bus? (Ex:killer game is a good one) Can we share one special thing from our own country? Are there any small performances that we can prepare for the last evening? Even if it's just a small joke or sing:-) 3.Time & Location: Time is money. Perhaps we can emphasize the trip into a smaller region, so that we can buy more time on culture training and visiting scenic spots because this trip can be unforgettable for some people once in a life time. Sparing some time for a real formal meeting to discuess about the recent changes and challenges in Asia. 4. Content: In order to reveal efficiency and obvious effects, the whole schedule probably should be planed 2 months before setting out on a journey. The schedule need to be fixed and conformed by the reponsible person from each country. Also I assume a small journal is useful for everyone. What can be inclouded into a journal: l A list and some inf from all participants. l Introduction about SOA. (history, mission, goal, expectation) l A tight schedule written. l Easy map in Bangkok. l Brief introduction about Thailand and Loas. (location deta, legends, specialities, must buy items) l Some useful words or sentences in Thai. l Some interesting phrases compared with each countries. l Several cool puzzle games or songs from SOA. l A few pages to write journal or feelings anytime or anywhere. l A page for actual feedback and must be submitted the night before leaving. (Ex: What do you learn? Anything important? Anything to be improved? What kind of help can you offer?) If my suggestion can be taken into reality, I assume this trip will make progresses sooner or later. And I strong recommend this is not only Mr. Hatano, Bank, Mai Mai's responsibility, it about how to cooperate with each Asia country and how to develop leadership direct or indirectly. Actually every enthusiastic person can try to help a bit, that makes things work easier. Love you guys so much and I hope my suggeations is practical in some ways. Sharing this meaningful poetry for everyone: RABINDRANATH TAGORE -- Stray Birds Tiny grass, your steps are small, but you possess the earth under your tread. I learnd a lot !!!!
Dwitya Aziza ( ICHA ) Indonesia First of all it was an amazing training tour that I ever had explored, compared to other similar program that I attended. What a tremendous gift that SOA provides me and I am certainly and willingly to return it in whatever way adjusted to my knowledge and capability. Mr, Hatano and Ms Rosemarie, please note this, I really want to pay back all your kindness and therefore give me a chance to contribute whenever SOA conduct any activity any where in the world………………please stress this out in your up coming program…………….ehm …… Love you both full My heartfelt express strongly that the journey was so cool and totally 100% I am so happy for the whole activity which packed in a youngster model and mood. I experience a new think being nomadic traveler jump into and out from the luxury buss, check in and out from the selected prestigious hotels, go in and out from a good restaurant, which for sure I will never had it if I didn’t join this current SOA program. Saying always thank you to SOA is not enough even I don’t know how I can return it as I mentioned earlier. During this leadership training journey, I learn a lot !!!! I learn how to be my self, how to accept diversity of another cultures, how to understand people and the most important thing is how to be punctual, which is a bit different in my country. I could assume that diversity that appeared amongst participant was fantastic and drive us to become more attached one and another. And what happened to me? I just realized that I could mingle in a very easy break through with no hindrance which I thought before I joined this leadership training program would became my handicapped. And the fact it was not…….I am so proud with my self even until I am writing this notes I am still can’t find which one of the activity that modify me to become like this. Any SOA friends can help me? Or may be Aunty Rosemarie or Uncle Hatano could do so? Please let me know once you could found it, all rights?! I could see the minimum facilitator involved, but compare to the result shown, it was a very hard work. All package of accommodation, traveling schedule, content of training, culinary trip, culture awareness program are wrapped in a modest way, easy to follow, relax and away from stressing. Even for Indonesian delegation were facilitated with a free entrance visa to Laos. This is again part of culture awareness that Indonesian very rare traveling in bordering countries in which we were not prepared for some amount. Although we could manage to pay it, but at the end the Santa Clause Mr Hatano returned it to us. Thank youuuuuuuuuuu we have some more pocket money…. The most thing that I like, the program just run as it flows but very impressive. It is not that serious like a class training, but I felt that I got all the impact morally such as being attached and understand the diversity one into other in a short time. I felt the true respect and friendship amongst us although we just met and been together along the trip. I cant imagine if we are all gathered in a longer camp with all the skill and talent that everybody has it, I am pretty sure we could move the image of Asia Youth to become a generation that should be considered. Back from the journey, I feel like I need more such wonderful regional trip and meaningful leadership youth training. It’s drive me to seek more actively a challenges opportunity similar with SOA. Also I learn a lot of other regions culture and behavior by practice not only theoretically through reading a book or see the film as I did previously. Although I am satisfy with all the program, still there are loops to be improved. In my opinion it would be better if we are not that much traveling, because there were lot of time that participants sleep during traveling and when its arrived at one place they felt tired because too much sleep. The program may also set up like one week in the base camp, take 2 days for culture excursion, some night time for regional discussion and some more night time for youth enjoying the group with free activity. I felt sorry to Mr Hatano that he runs all the program solely. There were a lot of reliable regional facilitator that could assist him, like during the program there was Aunty Rosemarie who accompany the group with her energetic movement and big smile. So invite some facilitator also to conduct such a prestigious program. To all my SOA friends – how are you all baby??? I am pretty sure that all of us back to our busy normal activity? Do you agree with me, that we are all missing each others. Its hard time to separate and back to normal routine life. At the time we said good bye it’s a big urge in my heart beat a strong feeling to see you all again one day in the same or different program. I do hope that SOA c/- Mr Hatano acknowledge this situation and encourage us to be together again. BRAVO SOA – BRAVO young generation of Asia – BRAVO Mt Hatano for becoming our Santa Clause from Japan. Last but not least as I am from Indonesian delegation, I felt so grateful for Aunty Rosemarie’s kindness, the one who pioneering Indonesian delegation and chosen four of us as the dedicated delegation. LETS KEEP THIS REAL FRIENDSHIP WITH NO ENDING JJJJJ im soooo verrrry happy
Dhira Indonesia At first i didn’t want to joined the SOA trip because of my tight schedule. I felt worried that if I left country for about 10 days, there are lots of things that I need to caught up after I got back. I also felt that if I joined I would feel a little bit uncomfortable because I had to face a lot of new people and environment. Then, my mother insisted me to join the program, she said that it’s a life opportunity, and it wouldn’t come to me twice. So I decided to join the program, and I felt big differences within me after I joined the SOA. Meet lots of new people is always a fun things to do. Even though the introduction part is a quite hard, but after that everything feels easier. By joining SOA trip not only I got a chance to visited Bangkok, I also learned about culture differences, and the most important thing is I have lots of new friends from a different countries. I felt very grateful and those 10 days were the best days that I had in this year so far. I definitely enjoyed every second of it. The cultural differences activities, the trip, the killer game, and also the food J . Especially all of the birthday surprises, it touched me when I received the gifts and also when you guys sang to me. It’s a very happy moment to be remembered, every second that i spent with all of you and the experienced that i have after, are worth every penny. Loads of lovessss, お元気ですか？ i want to write about my feeling towards this trip, im soooo verrrry happy joined the trip, thanks to my mother who forced me to go joined the SOA. i've had the best 10 days so far in this year, i learned so many things, about how differences can make us as one. the activity told me that no matter how much the differences exist, it could be the main reason to build the foundation for our unity. and it doesn't matter as long as we face it with happiness and joy. during this trip, i've met another person from different part of the world, at first we're strangers, but then, we became friends. i love them so much and i'm sooo glad i've had a chance to met all of them and you also. you're such a role model, a very generous person. we should to this frequently, so we won't lose contact, and we can be friends for a long time. just like you, david, and hiro-sensei. maybe we should add more time for the activity and the brainstorming, and we should think about our vision and mission, or maybe we can do a charity event or a fundraising to help people. or hold an event for youth accross the country. i thank you so much for this opportunity. i had a great time, and experience. i hope we'll meet soon someday, and please inform us if you come to jakarta. 本当にありがとうございます Hatano-San. i won't forget this trip for sure. |
Simply magical
Jessica low Malaysia There is something simply magical about the singout's mission. it's goal is bold and ambitious but truly dignified. Singout Asia to me is about setting the pace. A Music space. Somewhere simple where people gather and tune in to one another to listen to the voice from within. Maybe then, we may find that one voice that unites us all. Maybe then lies the answer to our constant worldly problems. After all, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes (in this case; ears)" Marcel Proust. And there is my first meeting in Thailand 2010, where like-minded people from 5 different countries; Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia meet to exchange thoughts and ideas. It was clear that we had to agree to disagree in many games that was played during the cross-culture leadership game. Hatano's co-ordination promotes a very liberal style of movement that encourages thinking but more importantly, feeling. He wanted us to feel things and be intuitive. He wanted us to use our senses more . Although it could have been confusing for some, the sub-conscious effect had a strong lasting effect for most of them. Sub-conscious learning methods are rarely used in any sort of leadership camp. However it was good, it encouraged intuitive thinking and it does broaden the mind's way of seeing things. In the future, I hope that SOA would receive more sponsorship in order to extend the leadership training part of the programme. It is marvelous! Effectively run. I love the fact that sight-seeing was included into the program. The living experience was interesting. The itinerary could have been improved to lessen bus-travel time and increase walking/exploring time as that was one thing we had to rush more off on the last day itself. I also love to listen to people speak about dreams. Exchanging thoughts about careers and life missions in a ever changing economy. Everyone had different ambitions but also different worries about the future. But such a programe like SOA would help to narrow that worry-gap between aspirations and problems by seeking support in one another. A few notes to encourage SOA growth is to increase support in participant sponsorship. More participants means more ideas! Also, increase sponsorship would help to add to the scope of activities that such a remarkable organization like SOA is capable of doing such as organised summer camps and asian youth conferences, music and travel programes, home-stay and intensive english courses. Language, of all barriers, is one thing evidently slowing down our asian economies. How can we overcome it? Directly or indirectly, SOA provides a platform of change for asian youth and it must be continued on. I wish SOA a great future for the growth of performing arts and cultural leadership among youth in Asia. You and Me sharing the world. Ever Evolving Tour
Marie Kondo 青山学院大学 進化し続けるSing Out Asia友好の旅。通算3度目となった今回の旅は、2010年3月15日から25日までの日程でタイとラオスを訪れた。インドネシア、台湾、マレーシア、タイ、日本から参加者がおり、前回よりもさらに密度の濃い異文化間トレーニングが企画されていた。SOAを理解し、支えてくださっているSOA理事の方々、そして波多野三郎さんと一恵さんに対する感謝の念を抱きながら、このSOA友好の旅の魅力について述べていきたい。 一つ目の魅力は、異文化間トレーニングを通し、他者を理解し、己と向き合うことにより、冷静かつ寛大な心を養う機会であることだ。トレーニングには様々な手法があり、その手法の一つであるシミュレーションでは、主に、相反する２つの架空の文化を設定し、参加者にそれぞれの文化に属するメンバーになりきってもらう。そして、挨拶や貿易などの交流を通して接触することにより、異文化間でのコミュニケーションや摩擦、またその解決方法などについて実際に体験しながら考えることができるというものである。もちろん、我々の生きている現代社会はトレーニングで設定される文化よりも複雑である。しかし、単純化された文化を用いて異文化間コミュニケーションを体験するからこそ、複雑な現実では見えにくい社会の構造に気づき、また、その体験と現実の社会構造とを照らし合わせることによって、現実に問題が発生した際に、より冷静かつ柔軟に対処することもできると感じている。 今回の旅が３回目であったことから、私は波多野さんを微力ながら何度かサポートさせていただく機会に恵まれた。そのおかげで、トレーニングの進む過程を一歩離れた位置から観察でき、トレーニングを受ける側からは見えなかった新しい発見をすることができた。それは、“笑いの力”である。Barngaというトランプカードを用いたゲームでは、４人ほどのグループを作り、トレーナーより提示された手順とルールに則って単純なカードゲームを行う。一定時間が経つとグループ内の２名ずつ他のグループへ移り、ゲームを再開するのだが、それぞれのグループによってルールが異なるため、勝負は簡単には決着しない。私自身、これまでこのBarngaというゲームを４回ほど異なる団体で行い、毎回参加者が混乱する様子を見てきた。参加者はそれぞれ、怒ったり、イライラしたり、うつむいたり、黙ったり、首をかしげ不服そうにしたりと、異なる反応を示す。今回もこれまでと同じくみんな否定的な表情を浮かべるのだろうと思っていたのだが、今回はこれまで見たことのない反応があった。それは、“笑い”である。しかもワッハッハと大きく笑いあう声。よく見ると、それは2人の参加者を中心に巻き起こっていた。他の参加者と同じように困難な状況に置かれているにも関わらず、その2人は行く先々の新しいグループのメンバーをも巻き込みながら、楽しそうに笑っているのである。その笑いは相手側の緊張を和らげ、その場の雰囲気を暖かいものにしていた。監督者の私の目からは、この笑う2人は真剣にゲームに取り組みつつ、文化の違いや摩擦を楽しんでいるように見えた。新しい世界に飛び込んだ時、また、新しい世界からの人を迎えた時に、ユーモアのセンスを以って肯定的に違いをとらえることができれば、問題や不和が発生しても、より平和的に楽しく解決することができるのではないかと感じた。 監督者側から気づいた点として、来年度のトレーニングをより良いものにするために、２つの提案を述べたい。一つは、トレーニングのルールやシミュレーションの文化に関してより丁寧に時間をかけて説明を行うことである。特にシミュレーションではさまざまな文化が登場するため、参加者はシミュレーションごとにそれぞれの文化の価値基準やルールを理解し、暗記することが求められる。この理解が十分に行われていないと、同じ文化を共有するメンバー同士で食い違いが発生し、場は混乱してしまう。しかし、あまりに説明に時間をかけすぎても参加者の集中力が保たれず退屈であると感じさせてしまうため、参加者の状況に合わせて、多くの情報を暗記しなければならないシミュレーションの数を減らしたり、シンプルなゲームと複雑なゲームを織り交ぜたりしながら、効率よくトレーニングを進めていくことができるのではないかと感じた。 そしてもう一つは、シミュレーション後の議論をさらに深めることである。トレーニング後の議論もトレーニングを充実させるために重要な部分である。ゲームが終わって、全員が大きな輪になって議論を始めると、意見を発する人が決まってしまい、大勢の前で発表することを得意としない人の意見や、言葉で表現しにくい直感的な気づきなどは意見として無視されてしまいがちである。したがって、まず全員で話し合う前に、小グループで話し合うことができれば、より多様な意見を反映した議論に発展しうる。さらに、この小グループでの議論の後に全体で議論する際には、トレーナーがさまざまな質問を用意し、議論が深まるように進行させながら、全体として新しい発見や気づきを分かち合うことができれば、さらにトレーニングの成果は上がるのではないだろうか。 ＳＯＡ友好の旅の二つ目の魅力は、旅をすること自体にある。１０日間寝食を共にし、芽生えた友情は深く強い。今回参加した世代の親世代がＳＯＡの前身であるＯＣＡ（Off-Campus Activities）の活動で、同じようにアジアの学生と旅を通して交流し、友情を築いている。旅行後に連絡を取り合うことは今ほど容易ではなかったにもかかわらず、その友情は今も続いている。ＳＯＡ代表の波多野さんがおっしゃっているように、友情は人生の中で最も大切なものである。私自身もこのＳＯＡに参加し、感受性豊かな学生時代に旅を通して国籍の違う若者たちと交流し、育むことのできた友情は人生の支えであり、また一生の宝であると心から思う。この旅を通して視野が広まり、さらに、貧困や汚職、環境破壊、人権侵害などさまざまな問題の山積する今のアジア、そして世界を変えるために協力し合える仲間を得ることができた。ＳＯＡが掲げているように、このアジア友好の旅を通してこの世界をより良く変えていくためのフレーム（枠組）が少しずつ生まれているのだと信じたい。 最後にもう一度、ＳＯＡを支えてくださっている皆様に感謝を申し上げたいと思います。このような素晴らしい経験ができたのは、ＳＯＡを理解し支えてくださっているメンバーの方々のおかげです。本当にありがとうございました。私は2010年6月からタイのチュラロンコン大学院へ進学し、東南アジアの水問題に焦点を当てて研究しようと計画しています。この進路を志し、決心することができたのもＳＯＡでの経験があったからこそです。これからもＳＯＡの活動に参加させていただきながら、アジアと日本をつなぐ架け橋として尽力していきたいと思います。ＳＯＡ代表の波多野三郎さん、ＳＯＡ理事の方々、いつも暖かく迎えてくださる波多野一恵さん、ＳＯＡでの活動を応援してくれている大好きな家族、そして、ＳＯＡメンバーみんなへの感謝を込めて。 the unbreakable friendship
Nuan Tansirisuk Chulalongkorn University I'm honored to be one of the participants in SOA trip. Within 7 days wonderful trip, we can make the unbreakable friendship surrounded the beautiful scenery we went. I’m so proud to hear SOA family. It means the friendship forever last though the geographic problem, we willingly share the happiness from now on. However, I’m afraid the seminar breaking the ice in the personal heart seems too long. The seminar all day made me tired. Anyway, I appreciated the activities in the seminar. I can learn the difference of the culture, the amusement and I can know the personality of each person from the activities, too. The next thing I want to comment is the sightseeing place. All the places we went are very beautiful. That makes the atmosphere along the trip brighter. Although I’m Thai, I’ve never seen the places before. The category is historical and natural, very smoothly. I’m sure we’ve gone to the real South East Asia! My last happiest scene is some friends were thrown in the Rayong’s sea after the volleyball game ended, so refreshening!~~ LOL Hope we will have a good time like this once again!~ Best regards, we can become one
Kaew Chulalongkorn University At first, I would like to participate in SOA program because I love traveling but, after I came back from the trip I know that I learn so many things. I learn to understand othrer asian culture from friends who participated in this program and, I learn that even though Asian people looked the same but, we're different in many aspects such as thoughts and ideas. However, we can become one by sharing that thoughts and ideas and finally, we became family. I would like to thank you all of friends and everyone who associate in this program. I think I got very precious experience and friendship. Now, I belived that Asia can become one and we can keep on moving forward together. Thank you, |
Copy Right:Non-profit Organization Sing Out Asia
