My Experiences

We Love Aussies !

  We went as delegates to Koshigaya's sister city Campbelltown in 2000. When we were there, the Aussies were kinder than we could have ever imagined and all of us have very precious memories of Australia because of that. We all became close friends with the children in our families. We were very moved when they taught us their games. The first thing they taught us was "Paper, Scissors, Rock" (The Australian Juanken) That was the first time that we had ever seen it because this game was exactly the same as the Japanese version. It made us very happy to be able to spend time together.

  The week went by so quickly the before we knew it, it was the day of the farewell party.We had very mixed feelings about it. But as soon as the party started those feelings disappeared. Everybody loved the performance that we practiced so hard in Japan. When we started to sing the Australian national anthem, naturally the Aussies started to sing with us. It moved us profoundly. There were so many other wonderful things that we did but they cannot all be mentioned in this article.

  We were able to exchange ideas with lots of people on this delegation and we all have precious memories of the trip.. We would like to keep in touch with those people we met then, and cherish the great experiences we had in Campbelltown.

Kie Abe 2002 Spring

  I went to Koshigaya's sister city Campbelltown as a member of a junior high youth delegation in this spring. It was my first experience to go and stay abroad. I couldnft imagine how this stay would be at all. So I was really nervous. But the hearty reception of my cheerful and friendly host family and all the Australians who I met put me at ease. While I was spending time with Aussies, the most impressive memory was being received as a member of the family and a friend, not as a foreign visitor. My English was not good enough to communicate perfectly, but they tried to do everything in order to express their feelings and understand mine. Of course they asked about my opinions, and usually they asked me to help them in the home.

  We were lucky enough to take part in the school sports of the junior high school there. We were puzzled over what to do and what to say at first, but the Australian students came up to us with smiles. Then we introduced Origami, Japanese calligraphy and so on to them, and we got them to introduce their Australian games too. I was really having a good time. Finally we exchanged e-mail addresses. I could make my first foreign friends at that time!

  The last day in Australia, my tears never stopped thanks to such wonderful memoriesc Even now, I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart that made my stay there comfortable and happy. These experiences broadened my outlook remarkably, and that gave me a new view of life.

  Of course I really want to go back there soon, but I also want to go other countries I have never been to. I am sure it will be wonderful too if I take the challenge with my heart opened. This experience taught me so.