Host Family
Volunteer 2015 top
ANSO
During this work camp I had the opportunity to stay in three different families and to experience different kind of life style. I had already experienced home stay for one month in America at the age of 15 to learn English, and the good memories that remain had always made me want to renew this experience in another country.
The first family I stayed with, Yoshio-san, was a very nice couple about the same age as my parents, so I felt at ease really quickly. The food was very good, I had my own room and after a few days I really felt at home! Every night after dinner, we talked about many things, from the Japanese economy issue to the way French people eat their dinner. I learned many things about the Japanese culture and I am very happy I could meet them. Among the best memories I have: the baseball training where I threw my first ball in front of all the players (elementary school kids much more talented than me), the late bathing in the Sea of Japan with the amazing sunset, the Takoyaki party where I got to make my own Takoyaki…
The second family I stayed with, Iyoroi-san, was a family composed of a young couple with a very cute two years old baby and a dog. I had a great time and thanks to them I could enjoy a lot of activities such as Karate, Taiko (Japanese drums), Somen Nagashi (fine white noodles descending in a bamboo tube and that children have to catch with chopsticks in order to eat), pottery and sightseeing in Hagi. One evening we went deep in the mountain to visit the Ryuun-ji temple, a 600 years old Zen temple where two monks gave us plenty of explanation about the zazen mediation, the history of the temple and shared with us a delicious cup of tea. They even gave us tea as souvenir!
This place was outstanding and I really want to go back there in winter or autumn since the landscapes vary very much from season to season.
I stayed with them during one week and I am very grateful to them, because they organized a lot of things for me and showed me a lot of amazing places. The kid was really cute and I had a lot of fun teaching him some French words and watching with him kid’s TV shows.
The last family I stayed with, Watanabe-san, was also a wonderful family and I learned a lot of games with the children. Since I came during Obon, I had the chance to meet all the family members and to participate one evening at the Bon Odori that took take place not far from the house. Everyone was really nice and the food delicious. During our resting day, they took me to an impressive place : Shuhoudou, one of the largest cave in Asia. On the way back, we stopped at Hagi to enjoy its beautiful nature along the sea and to see the famous Hagi glass (I even made a glass strap by my own!)
I am very thankful to the 3 families I stayed with and I hope I will be able to do the same for them when they come to visit Paris.
Most of my Japanese friends are the same age as me, so it was really interesting to hear different point of views from different generations. I am very happy to be able to speak and understand Japanese language because otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to share and discuss with everyone.
If I can, I want to try again home stay in Japan or Korea (the other country I am also interested in). For me, one of the best things about this work camp was the possibility to stay in a Japanese family! The next time I come to Japan (probably next year), I want to come again to Masuda to meet everyone and share one more time good memories.
TOMI
Ayaka and I stayed at a home Akiyoshi family. It is very good family, consisting of father, mother and their son. We lived in a single room on the second floor of house. Every day mother or father took us by car to Manyo Park and pick up after work. The mother prepared a lot of delicious dishes for us. After dinner we talked and taught son English.
On weekends Akiyoshi family were very concerned about us: we went to the aquarium, shopping, did fireworks and Takoyaki-party.
In addition to Tokyo I have broken my suitcase and mother bought me a new suitcase! It was very unexpected! I am really grateful to all of them!
I knew that in Japan there is no buckwheat, so brought with him from Russia. In weekend we cooked buckwheat, meat and salad “Olivie”. Is is Russian foods. Everybody liked it and I was happy!
Thanks Akiyoshi families I knew a lot of new information about Japan, Japanese life, traditions, foods. I was able to see the life in Japan from the inside!
本当にありがとございます！！！
Ayaka
During the work camp, I and one of the foreign volunteer, Tomi stayed in the home stay family’s house. My host family member is composed of three persons. Father, mother, and powerful boy who is junior high school student.
At first, I got tense a little, but I could get used to the life of the house soon thanks to kindness of all of them. I spent a lot of time with them playing video games, watching TV, and talking about many things. On the holiday, host family took us to a lot of places. We went to Akuasu (This is name of the aquarium.), Tsuwano (This is a famous place for sightseeing and it is also called small Kyoto.) and so on... At the aquarium, I watched really cute white dolphins for the first time. In Tsuwano, we experienced making washi (This is unique paper of Japan.)
Since every day was really fun and happy, and they spoke to me as a family member, now, I feel they are one of my family members too. I’m really glad I could meet them and spend about two weeks. I’ll never forget these wonderful memories with them. I appreciate all of host family members. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
