Judson Buchko: Teaching Assistant at Ohara Gakuin

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My CIP was as a English teaching assistant at Ohara Gakuin, a 1st-9th grade regional school just outside of Kyoto in the sleepy town of Ohara. I assisted the English teachers there along with my fellow KCJS student Sebastian as an English conversation partner with the students, as well as assisting in class lessons by providing a native perspective and native fluency. Ohara is a beautiful little town located in the northern mountains behind Kyoto, and every time I took the bus up there each week, I was astounded once again without fail of its natural beauty. The students there were very kind, and were very patient with my not-yet-fluent Japanese skills, and I ended up making a few connections that, I think, will be important memories for these students as they grow up– reminding them that there are friends and connections to be made with people regardless of their home country, language, appearance, et cetera. To incoming students, I would say that while you’re in Japan, try and engross yourself at least in some way in the everyday lives of Japanese people. Try to get outside of the 留学生 bubble at least a little bit, and immerse yourself, even if it’s hard, as putting yourself in something like a school setting, or a workplace setting, really helps you gain some valuable and unique cultural perspective on the everyday culture and activities of real Japanese people.

Anna Trapani: Volunteering at Nagaoka-kyo Children’s Center

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For my CIP I chose to volunteer at an after-school children’s center that was near my homestay. The kids were elementary to middle schoolers, and I got to play games with them, help with homework, practice my Japanese, and learn about what childhood is like in Japan. It was an amazing experience that really made me feel like a part of the community. The memories I made with the children and the staff members will be forever very special to me. For those who are not the best at putting themselves out there in the social setting, I really recommend 1. volunteer activities, because they give you a sense of purpose, and/or 2. working with kids, since they will immediately take a liking to you. For those who do chose a similar CIP, I recommend getting to know some Japanese names for games beforehand and teaching the children games you used to play, too!

Anna Yan: Volunteering at 聖マリア幼稚園　 子ども食堂 (Kodomo Shokudō)

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At Kodomo Shokudō, I volunteer to help create a welcoming space where children and families can enjoy meals together. My main tasks include assisting with meal preparation and cleanup and interacting with children to build connections and learn more about Japanese culture.

This experience has taught me the importance of communication and adaptability in cross-cultural settings. Engaging with the children has been a highlight, helping me understand Japanese values like politeness and community through their actions. Plus, the food is really good – it’s always a treat to enjoy the delicious and balanced meals prepared here.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and engage with others, even if your Japanese isn’t perfect. Small efforts, like asking questions or sharing activities, go a long way in building meaningful connections. 

 

Jessica Sun: Sadou

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My CIP activity was sadou (茶道) at Wabichakai, taught by Fujimura-sensei. Sadou is basically the Japanese traditional etiquette of preparing, making, serving, and consuming matcha.

I was interested in sadou because I didn’t know much about anything related to the history or culture of tea in Japan. I also was looking for something that was very traditional and hard to learn outside of Japan, or even Kyoto. Therefore, I think this was a great choice because I think the experience definitely embodied a very traditional and Kyoto-style environment. You will observe and learn how to fold the handkerchief properly, clean and prepare the materials, whisk the matcha, and drink the matcha. There are also other elements, such as meditation and eating wagashi (Japanese confectionery).

Overall, I would recommend this CIP if you are interested in a very traditional and culture/history/religion heavy topic. The lessons do consist a lot of the sensei just talking, so I do recommend it more for those with higher listening proficiency. Also, because of how much time the sensei spends explaining the background or anecdotal stories, the time to actually do the activity hands-on is less, which led to slow progression, in my opinion. However, I still enjoyed the experience, and I bought the whisk, handkerchief, and other materials, so I think it’s something I will definitely continue to do on my own when I go back to the US. Overall, I think it was really unique and not something I could’ve done elsewhere!

Chisom Akpom: Pottery Studio

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During my time in Kyoto, I was able to participate in a local pottery studio for my CIP. They welcomed me even though I had no prior experience, and more than simply treating me with kindness, truly let me become a part of their family.

My teacher had a step-by-step plan for me to follow in order to advance in my pottery skills as a total beginner. In my few lessons there, I learned how to make a vase and a mug and designed them how I found fit. Not only did the lessons allow me to get a hang of the fundamentals, but I had total creative freedom and was supported by everyone around me to pursue anything that interested me that day. Although I started off shy and nervous, their warm nature made it easy for me to feel comfortable and eventually join in on their fun. Through the laughter and many jokes, I was able to not only better my intercultural competence, but learn from them how to live a better life.

To get the most of your experience, find ways you can connect with the people around you. If they mention something interesting, ask them about it. If you don’t understand their Japanese, be honest. While some CIPs don’t have much room for you to bond with the members, pottery made it easy because of the classroom’s nature: everyone sits around the same table with snacks and a drink, and speaks while they work. The more you speak, the closer you get, so make an effort to engage even if it scares you at first.

Tomas Serna: Koto

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For my CIP, I learned the koto, a traditional Japanese 13-stringed instrument, through taking lessons with my teacher Iwasaki sensei. Because I had experience with musical instruments before, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to learn a traditional Japanese instrument and see how the experience compared to the previous instruments I learned. My CIP experience was very worthwhile, especially due to the friendly and welcoming environment Iwasaki sensei created for me during our practices. Unlike strict one-on-one sessions where you might be afraid to make a mistake, Iwasaki sensei allowed me to play from almost the very beginning with the rest of her students in her workshop, making me truly feel like part of the group. The atmosphere was always very lively and positive, and I had a lot of fun talking and getting to know the rest of her students, which were mostly elderly people who have been playing their respective instruments for a while. I was also able to perform the piece that I had been practicing since the beginning of the CIP which was an unforgettable experience and something I couldn’t even imagine doing before the start of the program. I am so grateful for Iwasaki sensei and all of her kind students who helped me along the way, and the opportunity to show what I learned over the past 2 months in a concert setting. No matter your music ability, learning a traditional Japanese instrument is a completely different experience all together, but I would advise incoming students not to worry at all as you are in the best of hands, and by the end of the program you will definitely feel like part of Iwasaki sensei’s big family of musicians in her studio.

Theodore Chen: Sieg F.C.

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For my CIP, I joined Sieg FC, a soccer circle at Kyoto University. For clarification, soccer clubs work different in Japan, with the official university team being referred to as the “soccer club” (サッカー部) and unofficial ones (often several) being referred to as “soccer circles” (サッカーサークル). We met 1 – 3 times a week and I was able to play in a game against another circle from a different university in Kyoto. The level of play would be comparable to a Sunday league in the US, and that was about how serious everyone took it as well.

It was a bit difficult to find a club to join at first, but I was able to join Sieg because my conversation partner was already in it, and he essentially acted as a reference to get the schedule and start going to practices. I had been largely ignored/dodged when I tried to express interest in other soccer clubs, so I’d recommend going along a similar route I did in order to join one if you are interested. I think this is just due to the fact that the students aren’t sure if an exchange student would be able to fit in due to the language barrier, so with somebody who already knows you it is much easier.

I really enjoyed my time with the club, and although it was slow getting started and a bit awkward talking to everyone, over time I got to know a few people and it was really cool getting a glimpse into soccer culture in Japan as compared to the US. Regardless, soccer is still soccer no matter where you go, so it was a great avenue to get to know other Japanese students through that common ground.

Compared to other activities however, I think joining a club, especially a sports one, places the responsibility of interacting with people and making friends on you. Although it’s good I didn’t feel like I was treated differently, it meant I had to go out of my way to get to know people, which actually ended up being good Japanese practice.

Ann Zhao: 弓道 with 古屋先生 at Kyoto City Budo Center

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For my CIP, I went to the Kyoto City Budo Center once or twice every week for two hours each practice and tried Kyudo under 古屋先生! Kyudo is not quite like the competitive sports I have tried in the States. It is kind of like archery, but more focused on the presentation and the process of drawing the bow rather than aiming and hitting the target. I picked this CIP in the first place because I wanted to do some sort of exercises, and I also wanted to build more upper body strength. This CIP works perfectly for my personal goals!

Connecting with the local community at the Budo Center can be a bit challenging. Communicating with 古屋先生 gets challenging at times, but he is really sweet and very funny (i hope my Japanese is good enough to understand all of his jokes). As clumsy as I am, I still really enjoyed Kyudo! I think the repetition of the same movements and focusing entirely on my body is a new and meditative experience for me. It was also very rewarding (especially when I actually hit the target) and relaxing.

I recommend this CIP to anyone looking for a new experience and wanting to move their bodies a bit! To put it simply, Kyudo is just really cool-looking. 🙂

Julianna Golembeski: Weaving with Kawasaki-Sensei

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For my CIP I took weaving lessons with 河崎先生 and ゆり様. I usually attended lessons once or twice a week and made items such as a table center, wall piece, and scarves. Each lesson usually consisted of chatting for a little, getting to work on the loom and learning new techniques, tea time with a conversation between the three of us (I was the only student for this semester), more weaving, and then another tea before heading out. Seeing a piece and a vision slowly come together was really rewarding. I also really enjoyed talking with 河崎先生 and ゆり様 as well as showing them pictures of my dog (ゆり様 loved those pictures!) and talking about life in Japan and America. This was a nice and relaxing CIP where you get to slowly make textiles and have some nice conversations.

I really recommend this CIP and if you are even a little interested, please check it out. 先生 and ゆり様 are so welcoming and sweet and even though it was my first time using a loom, they taught it to me in easy Japanese and were really patient with me. You also get to make some snazzy textiles which is a big plus!

Ymir St. George: Calligraphy

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My CIP this semester was shodō, or Japanese calligraphy classes at Zōkei Calligraphy School. As a beginner, I’ve struggled at times with brush control and the language barrier, but the patience and kindness of my teacher and classmates have created a welcoming and supportive environment. I chose to practice 南無阿弥陀佛 (“Namu Amida Butsu”) for spiritual reasons, and as a way to pay homage to the tradition of copying sutras. Beyond improving my artistic skills, this experience has taught me a lot about myself and my communication styles, and has given me a sense of community in my new, temporary home. A word of advice I would give, even though it is easier said than done, try new things even if they scare you. Sign up for that class, ask that difficult question, take that solo trip. Chances are you’ll regret it if you don’t. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve missed out on what might have been a wonderful experience because I was too afraid to take the first step. You’ll learn new and fantastic things about yourself and the world around you.