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what the header says...It is all up to you, to take the big Step Forward
and have that experience of a lifetime. No More, No Less. (Next
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During the homestay period,
did you encounter any communication problems with your
host family? |
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Alan: Well yes, of course I did
encounter some communication problems. However, my host
family could speak English. Beside our common language,
I used sign language and drawing to communicate. Most
of the time, it was a mixture of both. Later in our stay,we
realised we could use Chinese characters to communicate
too. So, instead of locking ourselves in one language,
we found many ways to communicate, talk, joke, tell stories,
relate events and experiences and share our thoughts.
It was very funny and enjoyable, we had a great time at
the dinner table because it was the period of the day
that the whole family was present. |
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Briefly tell us how you spent your weekend
with your host family. |
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Alan: We had only one weekend together
but it was very memorable. In
the morning we went to a Hot-Spring pools to enjoy some
warm and comfortable spring water. My host family prepared
some great
Japanese food. In the afternoon, we went to the central
of Hiroshima city. Our intention was to catch a baseball
game but couldn't as the game was finishing. Instead,
we strolled some of the gardens and appreciate the beauty
of Sakura flower. The day ended with a delicious dinner
at home. It was a very simple outing for us but as the
whole family was together, we could feel the close bond
of the family. And after a hard working week, the place
was refreshing and beautiful. Our only regret was we only
had one weekend together. |
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"I can't
speak Japanese but I enjoyed my homestay very much."
- Alan Lee
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Why did you choose
to homestay in Japan?
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| Alan: I choose homestay because,
I think the meaning of homestay goes beyond visiting the country.
It is about meeting with the locals and interacting with them,
exchanging interesting culture differences. Essentially to understand
their way of life. |
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| Were you worried about staying
with someone whom you have never met before in a foreig country? |
| Alan: Not quite. I was not
worry about the safety in Japan as it is a relatively safe country
like Singapore. I was a bit worried about how I was going to
conduct myself as I was in a way representing Singapore. I want
to present the natural part of me and also the Singapore that
I have grown up in. |
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| I know you cannot speak Japanese,
maybe you can share with us how you prepared yourself in the
area of language. |
| Alan: I tried to pick up
a few useful common phrases at the last minute but I gave up.
I requested to stay in a home that could speak some English
and I was very glad that they found one. My host family, the
Tanakas, speak pretty good English, even the younger ones could
understand English. |
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