REFLECTIONS | LUMEN
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Apart from the International Symposium , there were other activities that enhanced our one-week visit , ranging from calligraphy writing to origami folding . We also attended Mathematics or Chemistry lessons . Since the lessons were conducted in Japanese , we had to enlist the help of several of our Japanese friends to enable us to understand what was being taught . Needless to say , many of the Japanese students were helpful and friendly , offering to share their textbooks and stationery with us , making our time in the school manageable and enriching .
During non-school hours , as part of the home stay programme , we had the rare opportunity to experience life in Osaka just like the locals . Our host families were hospitable , and we were able to ease into our new lifestyles , albeit for a week , due to their friendliness and thoughtfulness . After school , we were taken to various places , such as Osaka ’ s tallest skyscraper the Harukas , sushi restaurants , shopping malls and arcades . We had an enjoyable time with the students of Seifu Nankai High School too , such as shopping at 100-yen ( about S $ 1.30 ) shops and having dinner at their homes . On the final day , we made a day trip to Kyoto and to Osaka ’ s
These discourses offered us fresh perspectives that were invaluable ... We had an enjoyable time spent with the students of Seifu Nankai High School too ...
city area Dotonbori . In Kyoto , we visited a famous temple , the Kiyomizu-Dera , as well as experienced making traditional sweets .
Although the trip to Japan was for youths to engage in discussions of global issues so that we can gain awareness of these concerns and continue in the dialogue , we have benefited far more than that . This partnership with Seifu Nankai High School and SJI will continue in the following years and hopefully the ties that have been formed will be strengthened even further .
Facing page : Being introduced to a high school class This page ( top ): Donning their origami masterpieces
This page ( centre ): Keith and Nicoli flanked by their Japanese and American counterparts
This page ( bottom ): Engaged in a panel discussion