From June 25 th to July 30 th 2007 I took part in the Japan-Europe Mutual Understanding Scholarship Program for 2007 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the International Friendship Association of Japan. I was one out of thirty 16-18 year old European students that attended the program.

1st week – with the group at Tokyo

The students arrived at Narita airport in two separate flights. After a short briefing we were taken to the hotel we would be staying at, in Akasaka-mitsuke. Having little time to settle in our rooms and get over the excitement of being in Tokyo, everyone underwent briefing sessions, cultural lectures and language lessons during the first few days.

We had the chance to see Shibuya and we also visited the Edo-Tokyo Museum and Sumo Museum in Ryogoku, both very interesting. Then, we visited Asakusa and saw the Sensoji temple and the many shops on the street in front of it.

During the end of this first week I had the special opportunity to celebrate my birthday with the other students, who threw me a surprise party at the hotel, ending this part of my stay in the most unique and exciting way.

Next 3 weeks – homestay period

The students were briefed on their respective destinations and left the hotel. Mine was Kamakura, a city located in the southern coast, 40 klm. from the centre of Tokyo. My host family was very friendly and took great care of me. My host mother practiced Japanese with me everyday and we did a lot of talking together. She and my host father took me to many interesting places. I saw the Enoshima island, a few of the many temples of Kamakura, and I went on several trips to Yokohama and Tokyo, as it wasn't far from home.

I participated in the Kita-Kamakura matsuri, where I even carried the mikoshi. Three earthquakes and a typhoon occurred during the homestay period, but none of these were strong enough to make me worry at all.

School

During the homestay period I attended classes at the Yokosuka Sogo High School. It is 16 klm away from home, and everyday it took me more than an hour to get there. Dutch student Annah was staying in Yokohama, so she too went to the same school. The two of us were shown a lot of care at school, both by teachers and students. We were very popular! After class, I attended various clubs such as volleyball, archery and kendo. I had the chance to speak to Japanese students about Greece and Greek culture and many of them showed a lot of interest. At the school festival before summer vacation I participated in nawatobi (jump rope) and my class won, so they dedicated the victory to me! The last day at school was very sad; I had already made a lot of friends I didn't want to part with.

Last week – with the group in Tokyo, Kamakura and Hakone

In the last week of the program the group went sightseeing. After we were taken to Akihabara, we went to Kamakura to see the Hachimangu temple and Big Buddha Daibutsu. My host mother came to see me My host mother came to see me once more and meet my European friends too.

We then went to Hakone by bus, and stayed the night at a hot spring hotel where we had a great Japanese style dinner and sang karaoke.

The next day we crossed the Ashi lake by boat and visited Oowakudani, where steam comes out of the ground. Some of us had one of the famous black eggs which are said to prolong your life if you eat them! After returning to Tokyo , we did a wrap-up session of the progra m and were allowed to go wherever we wanted to on the last day.

Two of my friends and I went to Akihabara to shop and later went to see nighttime Shibuya. Back at the hotel the participants shared their experiences with each other.

Summary

I feel very privileged to have been given the chance to participate in a scheme such as this. It really was a once in a lifetime experience. The program was exceptionally organized and rich in activities. I made many friends, saw many interesting places and did many exciting things. My Japanese language skills improved greatly during my stay in Japan , because speaking and listening among native people is much better than any lesson I could have at home. I also learned about Japanese culture as well as other European cultures, like I initially hoped to. I have stayed in touch my host family, my school and some of my exchange friends. I have plans on going back to Japan as soon as possible.