「Volunteering」カテゴリーアーカイブ

Melody Wu: Kyoto Municipal Zoo volunteer, Kitanotenmangu taiko group

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During my time at KCJS, I chose to participate in two CIP activities, which was possible because taiko meetings are infrequent (2-4x a month). Besides living with a host family, CIP was pretty much the only opportunity for me to interact with regular Japanese people. I have definitely learned a lot from my CIP experiences, but they have rarely served as a gateway to strong friendships with Kyoto-ites. This is mainly because attendees change at every meeting. Still, I will try my best to maintain a relationship with the other volunteers and taiko players when I leave Japan.

Before I came to Japan, I was more excited about the CIP part of the program than I was about the classes. I had this grand vision of learning to ride horses (possibly even 流鏑馬), taking kyudo and taiko lessons, and cooking Japanese cuisine on a weekly basis. Well, none of that happened. I wasn’t at an advanced enough level to join the local horseback riding clubs, which also started around 6 or 7 am, and money proved a limiting factor in taking group and private lessons. However, I knew I wanted to work with animals and I wanted/needed some sort of exercise, so I talked it over with my Japanese teacher. She managed to find the zoo and taiko opportunities within minutes, and it went on from there.

I don’t regret my CIP choices. A piece of advice for future KCJS students:  things are bound to be awkward the first few times, but if it still isn’t going well after a month or so, start looking for a new activity! In any case, I greatly appreciate my chance to interact with Japanese children at the petting zoo and playing taiko at a shrine. I was able to practice my Japanese and learn more about the local people and culture in environments that the classroom cannot match. The one good friend I made, I met through volunteering at the zoo. She is an older retired woman, and we visit famous locations (Kinkakuji, Nijo Castle at night) and have meals together. I also added a fellow taiko player on Facebook, so staying in touch with her will be easy.

However, I sometimes dreaded going to CIP activities because of the chance that I will become stressed. One semester is an extremely short time to learn something new in a foreign country, so if you intend on joining a “traditional arts” group, it is best to continue with what you already know. (Lessons would be different, I think.) For instance, while taiko is fun after I manage to get “into the zone,” I am awful compared to the two other KCJS students, who have previous experience. There is supposed to be a performance sometime in April, but I would rather not be in it… Also, because taiko meets so infrequently and not everybody shows up every time, it is very hard to make friends. Most of the members are older, too. I have gone to event, including dinners, but I still feel like a guest rather than a member.

The zoo is alright when I can rely on route memorization, but it becomes harder when I can’t understand guests’ questions. The experience is teaching me to be more assertive in saying no, as I was scolded for helping someone take a picture. It’s a long learning process, but when I finally do something well, it’s extremely rewarding. It’s also hard to make friends here because different people show up each time and everybody seems to have places to go afterward. Still, it doesn’t hurt to try. You should start by writing down everyone’s.

Hopefully, volunteering at the zoo will prove useful to have the connections when I start my thesis research.  My last piece of advice: if you want to write a Japan-related thesis, start networking during KCJS.

Sandy Lee: Nico Nico Tomato Volunteer + DESA

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This semester I participated in primarily two CIP activities: volunteering at Kyoto University Hospital with the Nico Nico Tomato group which supports hospitalized children by creating crafts and fundraising activities; and I participated in the activities held by Doshisha Exchange Student Association (DESA).

The members of the Nico Nico Tomato group are primarily comprised of thirty to fifty year old women. Because of that composition, I learned a little more about the lives of housewives. Reading from academic text about modern Japanese life styles, I have learned that in Japanese culture, after females get married, they become full time housewives, with the primary role of taking care of the family and raising children. In other words, children in Japan are spoiled with love from mothers. Volunteering with eight to ten female volunteers, I get to see a part of how loved Japanese children may be through the time consuming and heartfelt crafts that these female volunteers design and craft. Each craft takes a lot of time and effort to create, and although the children whose age are young may only appreciate the craft for a minute or two, as part of the crafting team, I can feel the amount of love poured into making the craft. From this volunteer experience, I was able to experience how the life of a housewife might be outside of the family. The female volunteers spent about three days a week volunteering and spend a lot of time together, as if that is their equivalent of a college club. The only difference between this group and an actual college group is the members’ use of formal language. While members uses formal speech and often utilize the Kansai keigo “haru”, the most senior member of the group uses Kansai dialect in her speech. As a study abroad student, I often do not understand what they are speaking of and sometimes do not have interest or any comments on their personal lives. However, they are very interested in the student abroad students and often ask questions regarding other countries.

Joining DESA has definitely been a great experience. DESA has events every week, so I was able to go explore Kyoto or have dinner with some Japanese students along with other students who are on study abroad. I have met some really nice students from Stanford University, and some really friendly Doshisha students. DESA normally offers 500yen discounts to study abroad or exchange students, so it may be a good deal some time. On the other hand, I think it is important to invite the Japanese students to have dinner or lunch once in a while because the more you invite them to events, the more likely it is that they invite you to their hangouts. My most memorable trips have been the Nara Mountain Night Fire trip and Takoyaki party that was held by some members of DESA. Facebook is also really helpful to invite people to events without directly asking them to join in your event. Most members are also willing to respond to you in Japanese if you decide to speak to them in Japanese. I think it is possible to become really good friends with some members of DESA, but because many Doshisha students are away during KCJS Spring semester, and because I have been busy with a lot of summer applications this Spring, I was not able to attend all of the DESA events as of yet. However, I cannot think of any negative aspects to joining the group except for the fact that if it might cost some money every week. Comparing this experience to my volunteer group, DESA members do not question how life is in other countries because I think they are more interested in the individual than the works of other countries because such things can easily be searched online.

 

Yutong Zhang: Nishijin Textile Industrial Association

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Certainly, there are many benefits of volunteering at Nishijin Textile Industrial Association. However, for me, the opportunity of working with Japanese people closely is the most precious one. Japanese people are famous for their prudent and serious attitude at work, but I did not really understand what this attitude means until I started my CIP at Nishijin.

On my first day at Nishijin, I started to learn how to wrap merchandise for customers. At first, I was surprised because my senpai insisted on teaching me a really complicated method of wrapping. Later on I realized that this job is much more difficult than I thought. Wrapping is not merely an extra service, but a way to convey a message, a way to show all our respect and acknowledge to our customers.  From choosing the correct paper in accordance to the size of the box to finishing the whole process by pasting a Nishijin tape at the right place, it took me around 3 hours to remember all the steps and be able to somehow cover the box with wrapping paper. However, when the senpai finally told me that I am ok with wrapping, it was after 2 months of working there even though I used a lot of time to practice in my spare time.

After I know how hard it is to wrap a small box, I feel I owe a sincere “arigatougozaimasu” to all the salesclerk who wrapped their products for me. No matter it is wrapping a small gift or developing the washlet, I believe the reason why Japan is such an developed and convenient country is because of this attitude. Perhaps, the trivial and repetitious work like wrapping is also a way of cultivating one’s self.

Michael Li: Volunteering at NicoNico Tomato

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This semester I continued to volunteer at NicoNico Tomato which has been both relaxing and a learning experience. Every week I would help out with whatever activity or task needed to be accomplished and always had the opportunity to communicate with others and actually use what I learned.

Last semester I had noticed how detail oriented and truly devoted they are towards helping the children. I continued to see that same drive when they brainstorm various activities that should be held for each day of the week, which the head of NicoNico Tomato usually facilitates. Although one may think that the Japanese would be passive about voicing their opinion, that is not the case in these discussions. Other volunteers would constantly chime in or pitch another solution. Because I have been volunteering for the past seven months, I have noticed various interesting cultural differences, and similarities, in speech and communication. For example, when the volunteers are all talking amongst each other they would casually use various proverbs. Recently they used one to illustrate how the weather is constantly fluctuating between being cold or hot. However, the types of proverbs used differ by generation—in both U.S. and Japanese cultures.

Furthermore, I noticed the difference between the choices of words used by various generations. For example, the older generations would use more direct and blunt words versus the younger generation who would put it more softly and less directly, such as the use of 「いらない」versus 「大丈夫」. When tea is being served and someone politely refuses, most usually use いらない while I use大丈夫. In comparison to the U.S., people speak more directly to others which would be more aligned with the older generations.

While there are cultural differences in speech and communication, similarities can also be drawn between the two countries as well. I have truly enjoyed my time volunteering at NicoNico Tomato.

 

 

 

Yumee Cho: Assistant English Teacher at Ohara Gakuin

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Volunteering as an assistant English teacher at Ohara Gakuin was a tremendously rewarding experience for me. While I had never taught in a classroom setting before, I had always wanted to do so and through the friendly and supportive faculty at Ohara, I learned many things about Japanese, English, and teaching overall.

Ohara Gakuin is a combined elementary and junior high school, so the grade levels go from first to ninth grade in one building. The classes are small, ranging from 6 students in the smallest and thirteen in the largest. But regardless of class size, the students were all friendly and energetic, and the small town vibe gave it a close knit air. Yet I felt easily welcomed by the students and faculty and after a few weeks some students began to recognize me in the hallways, and I started to recognize students I’ve taught before.

Fortunately since Ohara is a combined school, each week I would be in a different class, with the exception of the first and second graders who I met for a few weeks combined. This way I got a chance to teach at a variety of levels, but I have to say the lower levels were definitely the most fun because of the sheer energy.

Maeda-sensei, the Head English teacher at Ohara is a wonderful teacher and really knows how to get along with children, and how to get them to learn at the same time as playing group games and activities. When she told me how she was glad that I spoke in a loud and clear voice to the children, I felt immensely proud because at some points I wondered if I was shouting, the overall atmosphere in Japan being much quieter than the States.

I’m extremely grateful I had this unique and rewarding opportunity in the midst of such friendly and welcoming people here in Japan.

Merrick Williams: Klexon

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For the first half of this semester, I had been having difficulty finding an appropriate CIP to participate in. However, as described in my last blog, I have for the past month been attending a conversation circle called KURESON. Since joining, I have been to three or four of the regular meetings, as well as just recently a sakura viewing party and BBQ. From here I will be continuing to attend the regular meetings as well as hoping to participate in a strawberry picking outing that should happen sometime in the second half of April.

I have met lots of very nice people there, and since at the meetings the conversation is primarily in English, it gives a very different perspective on the Japanese manner of communicating. Particularly, it is a strong reversal of what is the normal social interaction between foreigners and Japanese in Japan, where the Japanese can speak fluent Japanese but the foreigner, if not fully fluent, is left a little uncomfortable and maybe left out.

Speaking in English with them puts everyone on different footing, where, since they are not fluent, are forced to be more blunt and clear with explanations and answers because they don’t know more subtle or nuanced ways of explaining things. This immediately changes the relationship between the two conversers, as I feel that the Japanese members are forced to open up a little more than they maybe would previously.

However, this then carries over later, when, for example, at the hanami party, when everyone spoke primarily in Japanese, since the ice had already been broken everyone got along very well and chatted with everyone else. To me, it felt like everyone was on more settled ground and were able to mix better, and everyone ended up having a great time.

This idea of hesitance was very present in our conversations in English however, which led to some interesting realizations about the way Japanese people speak about themselves in relation to Americans. For example, whenever they were asked what they do, the usual response is just “I work at a company” or “I’m a student.” In English these are such vague remarks that one almost feels uncomfortable continuing the questioning, but in Japanese is just a form of modesty that is then usually followed by “ah, what company?” or “what college?”

I’m excited to continue KURESON for the next month and continue to participate and meet up with members. It’s been a great experience!

Kimberly Wong: Volunteering at NicoNico Tomato

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Volunteering with NicoNico Tomato in the pediatrics department at Kyoto University Hospital has been a great experience thus far, both in the context of Japanese culture, as well as volunteer work.  Although we do different things every week and I never know what to expect, the other volunteers are all very warm and welcoming, and so working with them at Nico Toma [what we call NicoNico Tomato] is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

Nico Toma makes a huge effort to brighten up the pediatrics department in the little ways it can, from seasonal decorations to holiday cards, to posting photos of the children to arts and craft activities – it’s a very craft-focused group overall.

In the midst of coloring and cutting paper alongside the other Japanese volunteers, volunteering at Nico Toma has also been an interesting and rewarding cultural experience.  From sharing in afternoon tea-time to just observing how hard everybody works, Nico Toma has a relaxing atmosphere to just casually interact with Japanese people.

As far as cultural observations, the energy and detail Nico Toma volunteers put into their many crafts is very impressive.  At times it can be frustrating to adhere to how meticulous they are about minute details, but I also appreciate their efforts to always do the best job possible, in whatever it is they are doing.

However, something that has been made clearer to me by working at Nico Toma is the Japanese’s love for plastic wrapping and presentation.  For a special bazaar event, Nico Toma set up a small market-type event for children at the hospital and their parents to buy toys and other small gifts.  As we prepared for it the previous week, I noticed how much plastic is used.  Any accessory or small item was packaged in a clear plastic.  While I recognize that presentation is important, many of the goods wrapped would be fine unwrapped.  This isn’t inherently bad, but I thought the level of plastic usage was a bit ironic given Japan’s mentality to reduce waste.

Nonetheless, Nico Toma has been a very fun experience.  I always look forward to volunteering every week, and although a lot of the volunteer work is helping with crafts and other events for the hospital, there are opportunities to interact with the children as well.  From helping the children with an afternoon calligraphy activity to chatting with the other weekly volunteers while gluing and cutting construction paper, I’ve found Nico Toma to be a great community of volunteers who are committed to doing what they can to brighten up the hospital.

ジョセフ・ラックマン：アイアイハウス（社会福祉法人、ボランティア）

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アイアイハウス（社会福祉法人）

私は毎週一回ボランティアとしてアイアイハウスという社会福祉法人に通っている。そこで障碍者のお手伝いをさせていただいています。秋学期の留学生にとって、最初は京都での友達や知り合いがあまりいなくて、文化的な価値があるアクティビティを見つけるのは大変だったが、私たちのネットワークが広がれば広がるほど京都での生活が面白くなる。日本のほとんどの大学は私たちの春学期に休みであるため、春学期にいいＣＩＰを目つけるのは難しいが、案外もっと価値があるＣＩＰが見つかるかもしれない。やっぱりＣＩＰの価値は本当に留学生の努力によるだと思う。

秋学期は、どんなアクティビティをすればいいかよく分からなくて、テニスにした。すぐグループを見つけて、入って、グループのメンバーになれたが、後悔している訳でもないが、もっといいＣＩＰがあるはずだと思っていた。それで時間がたつとともにいろんなサークルに入ってきた。今は太鼓や英会話や幼稚園でのボランティアや今のアイアイハウスのボランティアをやっているが、その中で分かってきたのは、テニスより私にとって価値がある活動はいっぱいあるということだ。
アイアイハウスでは、毎日２０年代と３０年代の障碍者の世話を見ている。京都に引っ越して来たすぐ後英会話の先生をし始めた。知り合いのお家で週一回英語を教えている。この人はアイアイハウスに勤めているので、知り合いの紹介をきっかけとしてアイアイハウスでボランティアをし始めた。アイアイハウスの障碍者は二つのグループに別れている。一階の人達はもっと重い障害を抱えている。ほとんどは車椅子に座っている。二階の人達の障害はもうちょっと軽いが、どちらでもユニークな問題が明らかになる。最近はよく二階の人達と仕事をしている。実は、二階の人達は毎週水曜日にパン屋さんをしている。誰でも出来る仕事はあるので、障碍者たち皆はそれぞれの役割を見つけ、精神衛生と体調を維持しながらアイアイハウスのために働いている。その上、アイアイハウスの人達皆は私にとても優しい。たまに職員さんに食事に誘われた。お正月の時、私がホームステイの家にいられないことを分かった時、アイアイハウスの職員さんは一週間ぐらい私をご両親の家に誘ってくれた。

時間がたつと共に私の障碍者たちとの関係が進化してきた。本当に嬉しかったのは、最近皆が私の名前を覚えてくれたことだ。たまにこの人達が障害を持っているのを忘れる。コミュニケーションの仕方が違っても障害者より普通の友達として見えてきた。この人達と時間を過ごせば過ごすほど皆のそれぞれの特徴や性格が分かってくる。僕が予想していたより面白い。障碍者の行動を見学することで日本とアメリカの人の考え方が根本的にどう違うか分かってくる。

チェルシー・カゼアー：子供のボランティア

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ボストンでは、子供と一緒に働いて、日本でも、これを続けたかったです。だから、CIPとして、京都大学病院にあるの「にこにこトマト」というボランティーアグループに参加することにしました。

一週間に一回ボランティアをしています。にこにこトマトでは色々なことをします。時には、うんざりするくらい長いこともあります。例えば、一回目はバレンタインデーのおかしとプレゼントを作りました。大変でしたが、すぐ気がついたのはにこにこトマトの目標です。子供達の幼少期を大事にしています。つまり、病気の子供達はずっと病院にいて、大変な日常生活を我慢しなければなりません。だから、大切なのは子供のために立派な思い出と幸せを作ることです。そのいうこととにこにこトマトのボランティアの真心にもものすごく感動しました。そして、次にバレンタインデーで、作ったプレゼントを子供達に渡しました。子供とご両親の笑みを見て、プレゼントを作った時間は全然くたびれ儲けではなくて、価値があると思いました。

にこにこトマトでボランティアを始めてもう一ヶ月になりました。一つの希望はもっと子供と一緒に遊ぶことです。

ローレン・ハッシュ：英語アシスタント

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初めまして。コロンビア大学のローレンハッシュです。今京都で留学していますから、京都文教中高等学校で英語アシスタントとして働いています。英語アシスタントの仕事はとても面白いです。日本の教育とアメリカの教育はとても違うと思います。日本の私立学校では、皆は月曜日から土曜日まで授業があります。とても大変だそうです。でも、日本の学校のスケージュルはきびしくても、しつけはあまりきびしくないです。中学生はいつも大きい声で叫んでいて、先生が言ったことは学生の耳に入りません。

 

でも、高校に入った時、学生はもっとていねいになります。私が教えている高校生はいつも中学生と違って、失礼な質問を聞かないで、小さい声で話します。中学生は、“先生は男性が好きですか”とか“先生は彼がいますか”とか言う質問をたくさんします。高校生はアメリカの生活について興味があります。

 

私は子供のとき私立の学校でフランス語を勉強しました。その経験は日本の中学生の経験ととても違います。フランス語の先生はとてもきびしかったし、いつも大きい声で学生をしかりました。ですから、日本の中学生の方がラッキーでしょう。

 

みんなとてもかわいくて、アニメみたいな生活がありますから、私はがぜひ毎週学校に行きたいんです。CIPを楽しみにしています。