Thursday, January 01, 2009
8:10 pm
This trip is my 1st homestay and my first trip to Japan.
As our coordinator had told us umpteen times that this is about cultural exchange and not tour trip, I went on without a plan. It is said that you would get to meet people and get to know more about each others culture..
But these kind of things does not come naturally. You need to observe and ask. It is after returning from my trip, and look around me that I realised how much things I can talk about. I couldnt think of things to engage in a conversation when I was there. Many rounds of brain block, and language barrier.
Actually the language part is not so much of a problem. I just did not try hard enough. >.<
Everything is so new to me. Even the group of people that I'm going with. When we assembled in the airport, it was our 2nd meeting. The 1st was brief, during our orientation. By the time we went to our host family, i did not even see some of them after that until the day our trip ended.
When I went there and know that there is no plan laid out, I'm lost. The first thing that came to my mind is how am i gg to spend the 10 days then? A very wrong mindset. I should have just followed them throughout the 10 days. Something will come eventually day by day..
My host got a map and asked if there's anywhere i would like to go.. i'm really not sure.. If I were to keep going out with her, she would be paying for everything.. ahh.. But come to think of it, if they were to visit me in Singapore, I would pay for every single cent gladly and willingly too.
when i told her i'm gg on a trip with the others one day, she only laid out a day which I must be around. As the girls staying near me had no plans too, so it become a trip on our own.. I guess my host is just being nice, giving me the freedom on where i want to go..
She has her everyday life to pass too. If she were to go out with me, what happens to her daughter when she came back from school? She hosted a few people each year, imagine how many places she had went repeatedly..
I somewhat strayed off from the purpose of this homestay gradually. Going out early and coming back late. Even when i'm at home, i did not talk much. I'm not sure if it's the weather, the heavy clothing or just too tired at the end of the day..
looking through the photos, then i realised there are only 4 days which i actually spent with them. Other times are fun but.. I felt really bad as i went back to the way i was.. not interested in things happening around me, pretending not to know and being anti social.
I took up this homestay because I wanted to have a real chance to practise my Japanese which i had stopped learning after i started working. I wanted to go on this trip because i want to try to be who i am again. I know I do not have a cold personality by nature. I wanted to know people who shared the same interest. If i interact with people who are happy, who are sociable, it will encouage me to open up. Maybe I'm trying to get something out of my boring life which i made myself lived in. This is my first step and i hope to do better..
This trip makes me think alot. It could have alot more fun and laughter. When you have the ability to make things go right, do it! Dont hestiate because there might not be a next time!
I think i defeated the purpose of homestay. But i think i learn alot from my mistake. hopefully i can remember and carry them well in my head. I guess i'm too excited since it's my first trip. I have a better concept of homestay now.. If there's a next time, I hope i'll do better. Sightseeing can be done anytime but there isnt many chances to know and interact with people.
Seeing them living in such harmony does not seem real. These ten days does not seem real, something different from my day to day life, so i guess it leaves me a deep impression. I had to wake up to reality once i return..
I think i did not bond well with my host family but i'll always remember them. When you treat people with sincerity, it can be felt. Adjust your tone when u pick up your phone, your mood can be felt.. Make someone's day a happy one will make your day too.Labels: homestay reflection
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