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2015/03/17

ECEプログラムの初日は、けんさん（現地コーディネーター）のオリエンテーションでスタートしました。ファミリーと過ごした初体験は様々だったようですが、みんなそれなりに頑張って、楽しく過ごしたようです。

The students began their first day on the program by having orientation sessions led by Ken and Jinsu, local coordinators. The students were asked to talk about their first experiences they had in their homes; Every thing is so huge here. Family members talk so fast that students never be able to join them directly in the conversations. They have to leave a bathroom door open when nobody is using it. And many more…  Overall, they all seem to have had a good time.

 

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2015/03/17

その後、カブリヨ大学の学長をはじめ、人文系学部長、学生部長、幼児教育学科長、それに学生会からの代表も参加してくれて、オープニングセレモニーが開かれました。暖かい歓迎の言葉はどれも和気あいあいでユーモアたっぷりなため、通訳泣かせでしたが、みんな分かってくれたことと思います！

Academic executive officers, teachers, and staff from Cabrillo college including the steering committee members of this program participated in the opening ceremony, immediately followed by the orientation session. Each of them gave us a few words of warm welcome with a good sense of humor. The students were encouraged to tell their own culture to Cabrillo students so that they would learn to understand each other. I believe if they learn to understand each other, they will have a better understanding of themselves. 

 

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2015/03/17

お昼は日本語IとIIの学生も参加してくれて、恒例のピッツァパーティーが開かれました。今年は立食ではなく、テーブルについて周りの人と話せるようなスタイルにしたのが落ち着いた雰囲気になったようでした。

At noon, we invited students taking Japanese I and II and had a pizza party as usual. They sit down at the table to eat this year rather than eat standing up. This style of eating might have been effective for them to find a conversational partner. They seem to have enjoyed talking with someone sitting next to them.

 

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2015/03/17

お互いの言語や文化を理解したいという目的を持った人との会話は、相互に歩み寄る力が強いので、仲良くなりやすいのでしょう。話が弾んでいたようです。キャンパス内に知っている人ができたのは文京生にとっては心強いことです。

A language exchange is simply two or more people who want to learn each other’s languages. So today the students from Bunkyo and Cabrillo both practiced their target languages. This is a way of making friends as well because they have the same goals. It’s good to have someone who you know and can say hi to each other on campus.

 

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2015/03/17

今日の最後は、前学生部長のSesarioが、ボランティアでキャンパスツアーのガイド役を買って出てくれました。コミュニティーカレッジであるカブリヨ大学の特徴（幼児教育、看護、エンジニアリング、プリメッド・歯科衛生の分野が強み）や、ラーニングセンターの充実を強調して、それに関係する建物を見学しました。州立の大学であるため、予算カットの影響もあって、複雑な事情はたくさんありそうですが、Sesarioの説明はあくまでも前向きでした！

Lastly today, Sesario who was retired last year has volunteered to become a campus tour guide. He took the students to some buildings including classrooms which they should know for ESL and Japanese classes. He also showed them the library, learning center, cafeteria, and some more. The last place they visited was the bookstore and guess what they got?  Cabrillo Sweatshirts!  Thank you so much for your dedication and support, Sesario!

 

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2015/03/17

学生たちの多くはバスで帰宅するのですが、この学生は自転車で帰っていきました。ホストファーザーは多くの自転車レースに参加している自転車の専門家で、初日の今日はお父さんが迎えに来てくれて荷物を持ってくれたようです。「ママチャリじゃないので」と彼はママチャリの存在を熱く語ってくれました！

Many students go back home by bus or are picked up by their family. But this student get home by bike. Today her host father was riding his bike with her. In two weeks, she will be in good shape!  Surprisingly, her host father knew “mamachari”!  Mama of course means mom and chari means a less polite word for bicycle.  It always comes with a basket up front and a baby seat, so it is nothing sexy but very convenient when you have heavy bags or some belongings. So mamachari bicycles are ridden by everyone in Japan including fathers!