Just Quarantine Things

Nana's trip to Japan (Exchange student programme kelab hiroshima Japan)
Tuesday 15 December 2015 ? 0 Atashinchi ?

Anak-anak sekalian bahasa kat bawah semua dalam english ye sebab ni report yang dihantar ke pejabat tu untuk sijil. Bahasa memang teramat baku dan formal tengokla sendiri. Tapi overall sesiapa yang nak pergi kalau ada duit pergila. Bila lagi en nak duduk rumah orang jepun pastu hangout ngan kekawan kat luar negara  .


DAY 1- ORIENTATION

   On Sunday 22 of November, My family members and I came together to the Hotel Corus Paradise, as it was where  the orientation and opening ceremony was held. All students were required to register there at 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm. After I registered, I stored my luggage at the respective room  provided and gathered at the hall where the opening ceremony was held. The head of the organization, Mr. Fadhzil, gave out details to our family members about the program. He also patiently answered questions from worried parents one by one. Some of them were quite amusing but he answered them regardless.

 At 5 pm, the opening ceremony ended. All students were required to say their farewells to their family members and gather at the same hall. After my family members had left, I gathered with my friends at the respective hall. The coordinators divided us into groups of 4 and gave out keys to our hotel rooms. We were required to place our luggage in our respective hotel rooms and return back at 6 for dinner. My friends and I did as told and all of us had our dinner together.

After dinner, we were allowed to return to our hotel rooms to rest. By 8 pm, we were required to gather at the hall based on our groups.

  Based on my flight, my group was the MH Group. The orientation began and we had an ice breaking session as all of us were from different schools. I had the chance to get to know a lot of students and together we became friends. The coordinator in charge was Mr. Rahman. He was a really cool person and taught us a lot of stuff we should know before we arrive at Japan. Mainly, he gave a lot of information about the homestay program, the way of communication with our host family, the food that our host family might provide, our host family’s residence, and so much more.
By 10 pm I think, we all gathered to another hall where they taught us a few basics in the language japanese. One of them were “hajimemashite!” which means “ Nice to meet you!” in japanese. The coordinator also told us not to say “mangkuk” or “cincin” in japan as it has a double meaning to it. Furthermore, It was a really amusing session as both of the coordinators asked us to take their picture as it provided marks in our report. We all followed regardless and by 11:30 pm, we were allowed to have our nightcap. After that, we returned to the hall and continued with our language session. By 12 pm finally, we were allowed to return to our respective hotel rooms. We were all really tired and the day ended as we pondered about the day after.

DAY 2- JOURNEY TO JAPAN

It was Monday 23 of November, and we were all very excited as it was the day of our journey to japan. We had our breakfast at 7 am and by 8, we gathered together as a group in the respective halls. Our coordinator Mr. Rahman, appointed our group leader as it was important to make sure we were all safe and our passports could be returned easily.
By 9 am, we were allowed to return to our hotel rooms and pack as were permitted to gather in front of the hotel by 2.30 pm. After my friends and I all packed, we carried our luggage and gathered in front of the hotel as told. We waited patiently for our bus to arrive.

By 4.30 pm, the bus arrived and we all began our journey to the KLIA. We arrived there in about 1 hour after. At the airport, we all gathered together as a group in front of Mcdonalds. We checked in our luggage at 5 pm and at 6 pm, we were allowed to gather with our respective families who came the airport. My family came at about 6 and we all had a quick lunch at Mcdonalds.  By 8 pm, Mr. Rahman gathered us all to get ready to enter the international departure section. I said my last farewells to my family members before  I gathered with my friends.  By 11 pm, it was time to board the plane.


In the airplane, we were provided with comfortable seats as the journey will take about 7 hours. The day ended as we can’t wait to arrive at Japan the day after.












DAY 3-  JAPAN ARRIVAL

 On Tuesday 24 of November, we arrived at Narita Airport, Japan safely. We arrived there at 7 in the morning. During that time, the airport was already busy with passengers arriving from their  flights. After we went to get our luggage, we gathered together with the other groups and boarded a bus to go to our respective homestay locations.


 As soon as we went outside, the weather was really cold. We were permitted to wear our winter coats as the temperature was about 10 celcius. In the bus, we got the chance to view Tokyo for the first time. It was really breath-taking as we saw a lot of skyscrapers and buildings around Tokyo. We even saw the famous Tokyo Tower for the first time.


The journey to the Hippo Famiy Club office in Shibuya, Tokyo, took about 1 hour from the airport. As soon as we arrived there, we were welcomed by a few members from the club. They helped us carry our luggage to the office.

At the office, we were warmly welcomed by the members of the club. They were so many host families waiting for us. They even made us signs that said “Selamat Datang.” We were very overwhelmed.





Our host mothers welcomed us with big hugs and wide smiles. I couldn’t ignore the fact that they were so happy to see us. I was really shocked at how nice they treated us.

 


After everyone had been given to their respective host mothers, we all gathered in groups and they bought us lunch. It was my first time using chopsticks and my first meal with them. We talked about Malaysia and the activities they have prepared for us the next day. After we ate lunch, they brought us for a stroll around Tokyo. Even though I was tired and jet-lagged, I gathered my strength as it was my first time at Tokyo and I do not want to ruin it.
    

 
 They brought us to a really tall sky scrapper that allowed us to have a good view of Tokyo. It was really breathtaking as it showed what Tokyo has installed for us. After that, they brought us to visit the famous Hachiko dog statue that is located in the the middle of Shibuya, Tokyo. 

I even got the chance to view the busy streets in Tokyo. It was really fascinating.



  After our visit, my host mother realized that I was tired so we quickly began our journey back to her residence. We went there by train as my host family’s residence was about half an-hour from Tokyo. It was my first time riding a subway train in Tokyo.

After we arrived at her residence, my host mother welcomed me in and gave me a nice room to stay in for the week. By 8 pm, she prepared for us dinner and gave me permission to go to bed early as I was really tired.  After I unpacked my belongings, I took a shower and quickly went to bed.

DAY 4- VISITING SCHOOLS

                               

On Wednesday 25 of November, my host mother brought me to visit two schools near her residence. One was a junior high school while the other one was a primary school. We gathered at the junior high school first. I made a few new friends who were also students from the same program. There were 3 other malaysian students who were visiting the same school as I am.


 As soon as we arrived, they showed us around the school. I was really amazed at how clean their school was. After that, they allowed my friends and I to join their english class. The homeroom teacher gave his students tasks and divided them into groups. After that, the homeroom teacher asked us to join them. They were quite shy at first, but then,they showed me their textbooks and we talked about our different cultures.



After that, it was time to say goodbye to the students there. I will never forget how nice they were and how they welcomed us to their school. It was a really memorable  experience.

 Next, we went to visit a primary school nearby. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by their vice principle, who showed us around the school. He even brought us to join a 5th grader class.

 
After that, we went for our lunch break and to attend to our prayers. They provided us a room to pray and have lunch. I ate the food from the lunch box my host mother had prepared that morning. After we had lunch, my friends and I were allowed to visit around the school. Suddenly, a bell rang that indicated that it was cleaning time. Cleaning time is when all students were permitted to clean their classrooms. I was amazed at how efficient everyone was.

 After that, the students brought us to their classrooms and gave a performance. It was really fun as after that we get to know each other. As time pass by, it was time to leave. I would never forget the visit and I the honor of being there.

   
DAY 5- VISITING JAPAN AND HIPPO FAMILY CLUB ACTIVITIES

That morning on Thursday 26 of November , we went to visit one of the most famous temples in Japan. I went there together with the other malaysian students. My host mother explained that parents usually bring their children to the temple every month for a certain ceremony. We met a lot children there from the age of a newborn to 5 years old. One of them was a small girl wearing a mini kimono. We had the chance to take photos of  her.

 The temple is definitely one of the most breath-taking places near Tokyo. I had the chance to take a lot of photos there as I enjoyed the beautiful scenery.




After we visited the temple, my host mother brought me to a takoyaki shop. She insisted that I try takoyaki as it is one of the most famous dishes in Japan.

 Takoyaki was definetely one of the most delicious dishes that I have tried in Japan.

                                   

In the afternoon, my host mother and I went to meet with the other hippo family club members.We introduced ourselves and played a lot games together. One of the games involved a malaysian song called “Rasa Sayang.” We all had a lot of fun as we sang and played games together. I think this activity is really beneficial as it can help closen bonds between family members and friends.

DAY 6- JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY

On Friday 27 of November, my host mother and I went to her friend’s house which is where the Japanese tea ceremony will be held. The other exchange students and I were very excited as this day would mark as our first time wearing kimonos.



 That morning, my friend and I both worked together to prepare Malaysian dishes as our host families really wanted to try Malaysian food. We made cucur lemak manis, nasi goreng and curry for lunch. Then, we both went into our dressing rooms with our host mothers as kimono has a lot of layers and it takes time to wear it. Finally, all of us were ready to begin with the tea ceremony. The tea ceremony served green tea and traditional Japanese desserts. We were permitted to stay as polite as possible.

 

After the tea ceremony, we all had lunch together with the other club members. We finally had the chance to serve Malaysian dishes to our host families. We all had a lot of fun there.

DAY 7- MAKING UDONG NOODLES AND TRYING SUSHI

On Saturday 28 of November, my host mother and I went to a cooking class where they taught us how to make a traditional Japanese noodle which is called udong. The noodles were very delicious and are very easy to make.

 

                           


After we finished, my host mother brought  to a famous sushi restaurant nearby. The sushi here was really delicious and the service is incredible. It showed me how efficient services in Japan are.






In the afternoon, my host mother and I went shopping for souvenirs. She brought me to all the cheapest Japanese shops which were mainly

priced between 100 to 300 yen.  







For dinner, she brought us to an okonomiyaki store where they served one of the best okonomiyaki in town. I had a lot of fun frying okonomiyaki on the sizzling hot pan in front of us.       

DAY 8- FAREWELL TO HOST FAMILIES

On Sunday 29 of November, it was time to say goodbye to our host families. My host father, (who was mostly busy the whole week)  accompanied us to the hostel in Tokyo. He helped me carry my luggage to the subway and the hostel. 


 I wil never forget how nice they were towards me an the hospitality they showed throught out the homestay program.  Am truly honored.

                             

At the hostel, I met up wth my friends and the coordinators handed out our rooms to stay for the night.. I was truly mezmerized y the view from our rooms as it showed Tokyo.

                            
That night after dinner, the coordinators allowed us to take a stroll around the hotel. It was so fun as I had the chance to stroll Tokyo at night with my friends. We did so many activities together which includes playing at the archade, strolling, and shopping for souvenirs.



 



DAY 9- DISNEYLAND
  

 On Monday 30 of December, we woke very early as that day all of us were going to disnyland. We were all very thrilled and checked out from the hotel 8 am and started our journey to disneyland by 8.30 am.




 Finally, we arrived at Disneyland. The coordinators gathered us all and gave out our tickets. Finally, we went through security check one by one and entered disneyland safely. As soon as we arrived there, we were welcomed by a large christmas trees and rows of shops selling souvenirs and disney items. We didn’t lose to the chance to go shopping there before trying all of the rides.

                                                              

       

Then, we were welcomed by the beautiful disney castle.

           

    
We took a lot of photos and played with a lot of rides. My favourite ride was the rollercoaster. It was really fun eventhough there were so many people. Finally the day passed and it was time to return to the hotel. I will never forget how the day went by with laughter and joy from everyone.

                                     


DAY 10- JOURNEY HOME

                               


On Tuesday 1st of December, it was time for our journey home. We woke up very early and checked out from the hotel by 8 am as our flight was at 10 am. We arrived at Narita Airport once again and checked in our luggage before our flight departure.We arrived at Malaysia in the afternoon. I will never forget this trip as it gave me a lot of new culture experience in Japan.  I had a lot of fun and I hope my friends and the other students who joined this program felt the same as well.

CONCLUSION

 International exchange students programs are one of the best ways to learn other cultures around the world. To my opinion, it is a very beneficial extra curicullar activity as it strengthen bonds between other nations. I hope more malaysian study will join this program in the future and help spread malaysian culture to other nations.


                               








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Welcome to this dusty unused blog :)

Short Biodata

Known as : Nana
Age: 20 years old
Country: Malaysia
Fav. Colours: Black like my soul
Social media: @personallynana on instagram


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