Japan

The most important thing is an attitude

Shimizu Haruna

Japan

I This trip to Vietnam gave me a lot of experience and friends. I spent the time with my friends for only 9 or 10days. However I 'm convinced that I won't be able to forget the time. I knew nothing about Vietnam and TaiIand except that they lay in Asia but I began to be interested in histories, politics or cultures of them more and more. Because talking with my friends about their own countries taught me various new points of view. And through the trip I learned one thing : The most important thing for communicating foreign people is attitude to try to understand, not language. I know this sentens looks very ordinary, but we tend to forget it on communicating people from another countries. In the trip, we might be worried about the diffirence of languages more or less. However an attitude that you want to know about somebody surely moves their hearts without language. The SOA's trip reminds me the usual and important thing.

　Thank you so much Mr. Hatano, Mr. Hirakawa and my friends‼

I want to meet all of you again!

Kana Hirose

Japan

When I heard about this trip first time in my university, I had interested in about that. I want to make many friends all over the world! I thought simply like that. And at the same time, I heard that Vietnamese students and Thai students study Japanese. So I was not worried about language.

When we arrive at the airport in Vietnam, both of students were waiting for us. And all of Vietnamese students help us to exchange money. At that time, they talked us in Japanese with smiling. I felt relief they can speak Japanese very well. While getting on bus with them, we talked about favorite Japanese movies, anime, comics, songs and so on. Both of countries’ students know about Japanese well, but I didn’t know their countries so much. I wish I had studied about that. Anyway, we could enjoy talking in Japanese. Then, I used only Japanese to talk with Vietnamese students.

Few hours later, I realized that Thai students cannot speak Japanese. My major in my university is English education. In the future, I want to be an English teacher. So I study English, BUT I couldn’t have confidence to communicate in English. In the beginning of this trip, I tried to speak English but I couldn’t. I was unwilling to make mistakes speaking my English. In fact, I am so shy! But everyone didn’t believe me. After much consideration what I want to say in English, I spoke to them every time. I couldn’t have confidence as much. Thai students can speak English very well. I felt frustrated. I wish I had studied English harder in Japan. However, I can notice that the most important thing is not only English ability through Vietnamese students and Thai students’ behavior. Vietnamese students also heard that Thai students study Japanese. They can speak Japanese very well, but some of them were not good at speaking English. However, I saw a situation that they tried to speak to Thai students in English. It was not perfect English, but I think it is real good communication. Because, they used body languages and made eye contact each other, and Thai students tried to understand their words. When I saw that situation, I was so embarrassed. What a fool I am!!! I felt like that I waste much time until then. From then on, I also tried to speak English as much as possible with also Vietnamese students. I think I could communicate better. I could enjoy talking in English. I could be laughing with then. Sometime, I took pictures with crazy face with my friends. I could enjoy everything with them.

The last day, I don’t want to say good-bye. I couldn’t help stop crying. I didn’t know when we can meet again. But I promised them. We will meet again!

In this trip, we did many things together. We shared only the 10 days. But we could be good friends. We could enjoy everything. I can’t forget this trip and my friends. I’ll never forget. Thank you, Mr. Hatano, Mr.Hirakawa and Mrs.Hirakawa.

I want to meet all of you again! My friends! Thank you.

The situation has changed gradually

Takayuki Nakayama
(GON)

Japan

I was worried about this trip because I had never been to Vietnam. But, my thinking had changed soon. Trip in Vietnam was good for me.

First day, Japanese students went to Taipei to eat dinner and put up a hotel. Some of Japanese talked about SOA when we played cards. Next day, we met Thailand and Vietnamese. At first we were very nervous but we opened out as we got to know each other. We got on a bus and we had a tour guide who knew the history well and tell us it clearly. He was cheerful and kind to us. We went to the river and got on a cockboat with a Vietnamese friend Bin who was my first roommate. I was glad to get on it and see a beautiful view. After that time we went to a temple and ate dinner.

I came into contact with a different culture in the temple. A boy in the temple tried to sell souvenirs to us but there must not market. I don’t know that things. Buddhist monk came closer the boy and she beat and shout at him. He went down stairs without crying. However he still waited us and tried to sell them. If I was the boy, I cried and forgot about trying to sell them. The boy’s heart is very strong. I need to practice mentally. Vietnamese food is quite different from Japanese food. I was surprised but I tried to eat. I feel fat because they were delicious.

I was very impressed by talent show because Thai and Vietnamese show was interesting. Their show expressed their national cultures. Vietnamese show were singing a song whose name was “The Only Flower in the World.” and dancing Yosakoi. Thai show were playing a game which is famous for Thai and singing a song whose name was “Call me maybe.” This song expressed alternative lifestyles. Their show made me amusing.

When we were in my university, we have no opportunity to speak English. So I was not confident enough to speak English. The first of the trip, I tended to talk with Vietnamese.

When we had meal, half of Japanese and Vietnamese went out together, other half of Japanese and Thai did. I did not know definite reason. I thought Japanese and Vietnamese could speak Japanese. Japanese and Thai could speak English. In Hue, my roommate was a Thai student, Dee. I talked to him about this for 2 hours. I asked him what you thought this. He answered it intensely. The following day, I talked to a Vietnamese friend Huyen about yesterday things. Mr. Dee talked to Vietnamese actively. Ms. Huyen sent a message to Vietnamese students that they have to try to speak in English with Thai. The situation has changed gradually. I appreciate them doing that.

Finally, I would like to thank you, Mr. Hatano , Mr. Hirakawa and Mrs. Hirakawa. Mrs. Hirakawa who told me SOA is my teacher. Thank you for giving us a chance to make friends. Mr. Hatano told us about friendship and communication. I also think they are very important in our life. They can help our life.

I hope we can meet again!!!!! Thank you!!!!!