Guelph Trillium Rotary Club - Beaver Tails from Jeff Stanlick Rotary Youth Exchange

Jeff Stanlick - Guelph to Japan

Wow, where do I begin... I guess I'd have to say that my exchange year all started with a going away surprise party that my family put on for me. I came home from one of my last Saturdays of work to find my backyard full of my family and my best friends from all over Ontario. My family had set up many Japanese decorations including a Japanese flag that will be kept up until my return. The "dragonfly" and everyone else at my surprise going away party have helped carry me through my time here in Japan. Knowing that I have lots of support from back home gives me the courage to live and experience my Rotary International Youth Exchange here in Japan.

Well after a VERY LONG non-stop flight to Japan, I made it.  Not only was I extremely tired from the long flight but also trying to adjust to the 13 hour time difference. We also arrived in beautiful Japanese typhoon weather. My first two or three days here were the hardest only because I was taking so much in and being very tired.

During my first week here, I was very busy and have been busy ever since. I went to a city called Nikko. There I saw many historical and religious temples. I also went up in the mountains on a chair lift sightseeing.  Well it was my 4th and 5th days here that were amazing! I climbed Mount Fuji!!! It was pretty neat but also very tiring!  My host dad and I started climbing just after noon on a Saturday. We then slept for a while in the mountain Saturday night. We got up at 1:00AM Sunday morning and finished climbing. (Note: Never climb Mount Fuji in the dark without a flashlight that works!) We made it to the top of Mt. Fuji in time to watch the sunrise. It was an amazingly awesome sight.  The temperature at the time was around 30C at the bottom of the mountain. However, the top of Mt. Fuji was extremely windy and was close to 0C! But we made it to the top and back down safely and it was definitely worth it!

Up until this point, I've only met with 5 other exchange students once. That was at an English youth speaking contest in Tokyo where they wanted us to help judge and do a brief presentation about ourselves and our country. I had so much fun that day and being with the other Rotary exchange students was awesome. I'm not allowed to meet with the other Rotary students until I've been here at least three months.  They want us to be exposed as much as possible with the language, school and Japanese people before we hang out together and speak English.

Also, my host sister took me to visit Tokyo Tower. I had lots of fun spending the day in Tokyo. My host sister knows some English and while I was visiting the Tokyo Tower, I met a French couple so I was speaking with them for a long time in French. After that, my brain was hurting as it was my first time trying to juggle three languages! At this point however, I don't know much Japanese at all. Only phrases and words. But I am studying Japanese two nights a week at a nearby University and also on my own. I never dreamed the language would be this hard but I'm trying my best.

Well, finally school starts. My first time riding a bike wearing a school uniform during a typhoon for 30 minutes to school.  But I made it even though I was drenched. At first, all of the students would just stop and look at me. I felt quite uncomfortable until I understood that Japanese students aren't exposed to foreigners at school or anywhere. I've had to be really outgoing at school as many students are quite shy. But now things have changed lots. I have friends at school. The girls stop, smile and wave to me and the guys give me high fives. As they attempt to speak to me in English, I attempt to speak to them in Japanese. It's often very frustrating trying to communicate with students and everyone else. However until I know more Japanese, I just need to be patient and keep working at the language.....

My school also holds a big culture festival where they really go all out in decorating their classrooms for visitors to come see. This also gave me the opportunity to set up a huge Canada display with pictures, props, posters, pins, postcards, books etc... I also think it was a good way for the teachers and other students to get to know me better.

The English teachers often get me to teach or help teach their class.  They call me their "secret weapon" in teaching. It's something that I've really enjoyed doing. I've also been around too MANY English classes and have spent the full period doing a presentation of myself, my family, my school, my friends and my country. Something that I haven't been able to get use to is having the students bow to me formally at the end of class.

SUMO SUMO SUMO... I went to Tokyo to watch Sumo wrestling! What an experience. I think I was the only one who was often laughing though, while others were all so serious. I had fun hanging out with the Rotarians that day. I'm also very thankful too because I know just how expensive it is to go watch Sumo wrestling live. I also spent a day with some other Rotarians fishing and I visited a community bath. That was quite the experience... hahaha

Well 10 school exchange students from Australia came to my school for two weeks. I got to do many things with all of them and I got to hang out with them lots. One of the students even stayed with me at my house. I participated in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony with them and we also visited a factory that makes very expensive hand-made traditional Japanese dolls. Though I have to say that the best part of hanging out with the Australians, was when we spent the day at Tokyo Disney Land!!! It was AWESOME. I had so much fun and the Australians are the greatest. It was amazing how close I became with all of them in such a short period of time.  Unfortunately their stay was brief and I had to see them off.  However I have many good memories and pictures from spending time with them.

Finally, my city had a huge traditional festival and parade on the streets. Some Rotarians dressed me in Japanese wear. I helped pull a Japanese wagon that we built and on it were adults dressed in traditional wear playing instruments. It was lost of fun and I felt as if I was in an old movie or something.  It was a great experience and again, I got many good pictures.

There have been many hurdles to overcome during my stay here. I have been faced with many challenging and difficult situations but I've made it a long way already. I have had many great experiences, ones that I will never forget.

Experiences and friendships are what I have gained that will last a lifetime. Also this is only the beginning. I look forward to what is to come throughout my Rotary year and my Rotary experience as a Canadian exchange student. I'm very thankful for everyone who has invested lots of time and money in preparing me for this experience. I thank my Rotary Club, the District Rotarian Team, all the outbounds, my family and my friends. Thank you.

Joy, Hope, Love & Peace,

 Jeff