6.25.16, 6.26.16
Today is the big day: everyone is moving into their homestay families! The LSAers have been anticipating this for a while, so you can imagine the excitement (and perhaps nervousness) that filled the hotel lobby. The schedule for the day involved a homestay orientation at KUIS, followed by a lunch reception. Students will then leave with their respective families, and officially begin their homestays.
Everyone gathered bright and early in the hotel lobby, all dressed in formal clothing. We checked out of Apa Hotel, and walked to KUIS as a group. We arrived a bit early at the university, and settled into one of the cafeterias for a hydration break. The students, aware that they would have to introduce themselves in Japanese to all of the families and KUIS staff during the orientation, practiced their jiko shōkai (self-introductions) nervously.
We eventually made our way to the reception, and each student sat at their assigned tables. After about 10 minutes, the homestays began to arrive, and shared tables with the students. The nervous atmosphere disappeared, as the LSAers began to talk excitedly with their homestays.
Photos from the reception, taken by Kenneth Zhu.
The orientation officially began, and both Dartmouth and KUIS faculty/staff gave speeches. The homestay agency (Homestay Japan) then gave a brief synopsis of the homestay experience, specifying the dos and don’ts of staying with a Japanese homestay family. Finally, the big moment arrived: the jiko shōkai. Each student introduced themselves to the homestays, including some details on their major, hobbies, and hopes for the summer. The homestays were very impressed by the self-introductions. Needless to say, the LSAers nailed their jiko shōkai!
Me, Professor Dorsey, Professor Hori, and my host families for the summer
We went to one of the KUIS cafeterias for the lunch reception (featuring karāge, sushi, salad, and pasta), and ate with our homestays. Afterwards, everyone went home with their homestays. The rest of the day (including dinner) was spent with the homestays.
Fishing with my homestay. Caught a fish big enough to feed a family of five (note: I am being sarcastic).
The LSAers spent Sunday with their homestays. Some went on excursions in Chiba, and others got to know their neighborhoods. I spent Sunday fishing with my host family – this was, in fact, my first time fishing! I failed several times (such as by snapping my line and somehow catching an empty clam), but also managed to snag quite a few fish. Since we were fishing in a river, the fish were not too big – they were big enough to fry for dinner as a side dish.
Thus ends the orientation week of the LSA! Next adventure: the first week of classes!