What were some of the things that moved the Cambodian participants in Japan during this training program, which was full of 'firsts'?
Day1 moved from Cambodia to Japan
The teachers and students of Aitoku Gakuen Junior and Senior High School (Hyogo Prefecture), with whom we have been communicating online for about 18 months since 2020, welcomed us to their school, giving us the face-to-face exchange activities we had wished for.
ー Ms.Sreynin was the most excited about this day of her trip.
After the exchange activities, class visits and school tours, What she feel?
The English Sugoroku was a handmade game by the students for the day's exchange activity. Although Sreynin was weak in English, she enjoyed the game with the students who tried their best to explain the rules using gestures and words they knew.
Thank you very much for Aitoku Gakuen!
With teachers from Aitoku Gakuen.
The teacher in blue on the left is Ms.Keiko Sasaki, who works with Ms.Sreynin and Book Projects.
We went to Kyoto to get a great experience of Japanese culture. They visited Kinkakuji Temple and Yasaka Shrine in the autumn leaf season, and also experienced Japanese culture through kimono and Japanese tea ceremony.
ー Ms.Ren has been studying Japanese in Cambodia for a year.
She has been thinking about Japan from Cambodia, and what did she actually feel when she visited Japan?
Ms.Ren’s Comments：
Even a single temple has a culture that is completely different from that of Cambodia, and everything is so new that I can't explain it in words. It was my first time in Japan, but just waking up in the morning, eating Japanese food, riding the train and walking down the street made me feel like a Japanese person. I learnt that even the smallest of new experiences can expand one' s view of the world.
Students from Ritsumeikan University were given a tour of the campus. Ren listened seriously to the explanation of the school. Her eyes brightened up at the well-equipped library.
Omikuji experience. It was the same as the Japanese to be happy or sad about the result.
High school students from Kinki University Senior High School (Osaka Prefecture) guided us around the city of Osaka.
ー Ms.Navin has taken on the challenge of communicating with Cambodian participants and coordinating arrangements and preparations for this project.
She would like to go abroad in the future, so what did she feel in Japan?
Ms.Navin’s Comments
The Kinki University Senior High School students introduced us to many things in English, which was wonderful.
The food and people doing business in Osaka looked traditional, but the technology, such as buildings and transport was modern. I found it surprising that Japan has a combination of traditional and modern technology.
"Through this connection with the Japanese people, I was reminded that education is the most important learning for me and I will continue to value thinking about how I can improve myself and others.
Cambodian members curious about Japanese Gacha Gacha.
The view from Tsutenkaku Tower was fantastic!
Enjoy Osaka's famous food.
Just before returning to Cambodia, a Japanese participant, Mr. Masahiko Matsuda, came to see us.
Thank you to all the Japanese teachers and students who warmly welcomed the three of us and spent a wonderful time with us!!
> The travel bookmark used during the Cambodia fieldwork can be downloaded here.
Supported by The Toyota Foundation
Ms.Sreynin’s Comments
After meeting Teacher Ms.Keiko Sasaki from Aitoku Gakuen Senior High School through the project, I never thought I would be able to visit Japan and meet her and her students in person, which is like a dream come true! Ms.Keiko heard me say that " I wanted to give books to the pupils at the primary school where I work" , and she has been working on a 'Book Project' with the students so far.It was a really good opportunity for me to find out how the 'Book Project' with those students is going.There was also a sense of cooperation and collaboration between the teachers and students at Aitoku Gakuen School. I was very impressed with the building and the decoration. I thought it was great that there were places for sports, music, art and experimentation, which we don't have in Cambodia.