My Trip to Japan

--Here is a student's essay submitted by Odom sensei.--

My trip this summer to Japan exceeded all of my expectations. Never before have I enjoyed myself so much with such a diverse group of people. I met people from across the world, and because some of us didn't share English, we had to use Japanese as our common language to relate to each other. Now for the staff: the teachers and especially the coordinate of the high school program (Hiroyuki Hasegawa) were great. They made our Japanese experience more than just enjoyable. And because of there effort, I didn't meet one person who was displeased with any part of the program. Not only was everyone friendly, but the Kansai Language center was a beautiful place replete with fantastic resources. I loved the accommodations and cafeteria. In addition, the program took us to cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, we had a home stay with high school students, and ate traditional Japanese food. By the time I left, I felt as if I had seen as much of Japan possible in those two weeks. There was never a dull moment, and the Center always made sure that we were active. I also must comment on the freedom that they gave the students. They let us do a lot of exploring ourselves, and it made me feel as if I was living in Japan rather than just touring. I really appreciate all that they did for me, and I hope one day to return to Japan and possibly the Kansai Language Center to continue my study of Japanese. It was the best trip of my life.

Rick Aubrey Dallas, TX USA