Penglais - Otemae High School Exchange

Practical Information on the Penglais - Otemae Exchange

Please scroll down to see information about the following:

•  Cost

•  Money

•  Health 

•  Food 

•  Language barrier and communication

•  Climate

•  Cultural awareness

•  Clothing

•  Gifts

•  Remember to take and useful tips

   Cost

In 2004 all trips and travel in Japan organised by Otemae school were paid for by the Kinrankai Alumni Association. Most trips with the family and meals were also paid for by the host. The TOTAL COST of the trip was therefore the TRAIN TICKET to the airport in Britain, the FLIGHT and POCKET MONEY. Depending how much your flight is, this should be about £750 but could easily be less.   

Here is a detailed breakdown of the cost:

•  transport from Aberystwyth to airport. (Return train ticket to London costs roughly £30 if you have a student rail card)

•  Return flight to Osaka-Kansai airport costs between £500-700 (this was in 2004).

•  There is no payment to host families.

•  All school group activities and travel are paid for by Otemae School. It is appropriate to offer to pay for family outings, travel and food but this will frequently be refused. 

•  It is highly appropriate to take small gifts for the host family. These do not have to be expensive. (see 'Gifts' section for more information)

•  Pocket money for snacks and shopping. Most foodstuffs and other items are similarly priced to this country. 

Fundraising may be a good idea. This may be done individually or as a group. For the 2004 trip money raised from a cake stall and own clothes day paid for the t-shirts and flags and contributed to travel expenses. Obviously the more organised you are and the more you can raise the better. Own clothes days are a winner so make sure you book one with school. It is also worth asking the Council and other local authorities and businesses to support you. in 2004 the British Council contributed £70 to buy Wales-Japan friendship pins and the Lovespoon Company Ltd. donated several small Lovespoons and one large one (see 'Gifts' section). 

Money

•  travelers cheques can be cashed at centrally located banks and large hotels.

•  Debit and Credit cards can be used at many shops and supermarkets.

•  Be aware of Bank opening hours: usually 9am - 3pm, Monday - Friday

•  very roughly, to convert from Yen to pounds divide by 200.

Health  

Medication : due to the length of the trip it is not neccessary to have any inoculations . You should take: 

•  sun tan lotion

•  hat 

•  insect repellent

•  plasters

•  stomach medicine 

Tiredness is in many ways the most difficult problem. the journey itself is tiring and on arrival you may want nothing more than a good nights sleep. Your host family will realise this so if you want to go to bed just ask. Trying to adapt to  someone else's way of life demands a great deal of concentration and is tiring. It is easy to forget this and just go on with late nights, perhaps chatting and learning new things, without the realisation of tiredness. It is true that the more you put into the exchange, the more you will get out, but it is important to be healthy and happy and full of energy rather than exhausted.

Homesickness: there are many adjustments to make and sometimes this can be overwhelming. It may help to think about these questions before you depart. What are the 5 things you are most looking forward to? What are the 5 things your are least looking forward to? Who will you miss most? What will you miss least? What will be your greatest challenge? Quite honestly this isn't all that useful but it can be quite amusing: you will be surprised what you miss (cold water, dictionary, alarm clock?!).  Seriously, do watch out for homesickness in yourself and others. Having a bad day happens: having a bad week should not. If you feel homesick or isolated try to talk to someone. If you see or are told that others are having difficulty try talking to them. It may be helpful to keep a dairy: it can be therapeutic to express yourself and safely vent any agitation. And remember, it is not difficult to call home and most families have the internet so you can e-mail. 

Food  

With all the best will in the world to try new foods you may find that the change in diet gives you a stomach upset at first. Once you get used to the differences you will undoubtedly get to love Japanese food. The best thing to do is take it easy at first, not eating or drinking too much of anything. Remember that your host family will want you to learn about and enjoy their food. They will want you to try things. If you don't like anything be diplomatic. Vegetarianism is uncommon and veganism is probably unheard of. If you have any special dietary requirements make this clear and explain what it entails beforehand eg. can't eat meat, fish, eggs. On the 2004 exchange practically everyone was a vegetarian, however, to make things easier most decided to eat some fish and meat during their stay. Unless you have very strong reasons not to it is perhaps best to be as easy going as possible about what you will and won't eat. Otherwise you will limit your opportunity to try new things and limit your hosts enjoyment of cooking delicious Japanese meals. 

Language barrier and communication

Some English will be spoken by at  least one member of your host family but even so, you will enjoy yourself more if you make the effort to try and speak some Japanese. Your host family will appreciate this and will take it as a compliment that you have at least tried to communicate with them in their own language. There are plenty of good phrase books available (Lonely Planet Phrase Book) and there are Japanese language courses run by the Centre for Continuing Education at Laura Place. Don't be afraid to make mistakes because nothing risked is nothing gained. Whilst attempting to talk about my family I somehow managed to ask how many dinosaurs my host family had: naturally, like all normal Japanese families they had nine. Also, bear in mind that there are many ways of communicating: asking questions, giving answers, and discussion. Silence can also be used consciously or unconsciously to show feelings and attitudes as can facial expressions and body language. 

Useful Phrases...

Climate

It will take you a few days to adjust to the hot and humid climate. It is incredibly humid. You will have to drink more and make sure you have plenty of salt in your diet. Drinking isn't a problem as there are drinks machines everywhere selling appealing drinks such as Calpis and Pocari Sweat. Due to the heat you will possibly find that you require less food. June and July is the main rainy season so take a raincoat. 

Cultural awareness

One of the first things you will encounter when you go abroad is something you can't really see but if you don't understand what it is and how it works, can seriously affect how you adjust to and enjoy your time overseas. That 'thing' is culture. This is not about possessing a taste for modern art, champagne and opera, it it a neutral term, neither good nor bad, referring to the collective historical patterns, values, societal arrangements, manners, ideas, and ways of living that people have used to order their society. It is comprised of all those things we learn as part of growing up including language, religion, beliefs about economic and social relations, political organisation and thousands of 'Dos and Dont's' society deems important that we know to become a functioning member of that group. 

Culture can most broadly be defined as the shared sets of values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours which are widely held by the member of the host culture. As a visitor you will not only need to be aware of these cultural patterns but will have to respond to them.  The approach to a new culture 'That's interesting. I wonder why they do that?' rather than 'What's wrong with them, why can't they do it the right way?' is likely to lead to a far more positive  experience. 

Japanese etiquette is generally much more courteous than in our own culture. Don't worry about this but here are a few things to think about...

•  Many Japanese people still prefer bowing, or nodding, to each other on being introduced and expressing thanks. This may sound as if it would be difficult to adjust to but you will probably find yourself nodding back.

•  Some western gestures are unknown in Japan like winking or shrugging your shoulders, and pointing at a person is a bit rude. Equally, they have different gestures for beckoning and indicating themselves. 

•  Loud sniffing during a cold is not regarded as bad manners, but blowing your nose in front of others is.

Dos and Dont's

in the home...

•  don't wear your shoes inside: leave them in the entry and wear the slippers provided

•  don't walk on tatami (woven) mat with slippers or socks on

•  don't wash in the bath. Wash in the shower and relax in the really deep hot bath

•  don't pull the bath plug or put cold water in without asking: everyone uses the same bathwater

•  do leave a thankyou note in your room when you leave

eating (with chopsticks)...

•  don't point at food while deciding what to eat or stir a dish to find a certain thing

•  don't stick your chopsticks in your food

•  don't hold chopsticks in separate hands as you do a knife and fork

•  you could practice eating with chopsticks before you go

This is very basic and if you look in something like the lonely planet guide there will be loads of other things. Basically don't worry too much about it. You'll find that each family is different. Some adhere to some customs and others don't. Even if you do make a mistake they will be completely understanding. Don't spend time trying to memorise all the different things. The best technique is to watch what everyone else is doing and not doing and do the same. This goes for pretty much everything. 

Clothing

  Due to the hot, humid climate you will only need light summer clothing. Japanese fashion tends to be quite modest and conservative. Short shorts or skirts, hipsters, bare midriff and low tops are not the best idea.  You will see some Japanese people wearing 'revealing' clothes but Otemae School and its students are fairly conservative: for some bare shoulders was not acceptable. Don't worry, but be aware of this when you choose what to take. 

You should definitely take 

•   comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and off

•  a hat: it can be very sunny

•  a raincoat

•  swimming costume (probably not a bikini) towel and goggles: there may be a chance to join a swimming class in the school pool

If possible don't stuff your bag full. Leave some room for things you want to buy and you will also be given lots of gifts. 

Gifts

Japanese gift-giving is a highly ritualised custom, used mainly as a 'social lubricant'. Things worth remembering are that gifts should be wrapped. The key word here is 'thoughtfulness'. Please remember that you do not need to spend very much money; your host will be pleased with a small gift. Actually, take care not to give too valuable a gift since equally expensive return presents are usually required by the receiver. Anything with a Welsh theme is desirable. Personalising something by writing the receivers name, in English, is also a nice idea: English words are fashionable: keep an eye out for t-shirt slogans and unusual signs. See if you can beat 'Spegetti sandwiches and coffee in, served daily'. Two things to bare in mind when choosing gifts are 'country of origin' and 'weight'. Also, check what is not allowed: mostly this is things like meat and dairy and knives. 

•  mug or cup

•  picture frame

•  pencil case

•  notelets

•  soap

•  celtic jewellery

•  tea

•  biscuits

•  lovespoons

•  small shopping bag

•  purse

•  tea towels

•  lapel badges

•  writing paper

•  pot pourri

•  Welsh sweets

In 2004 Penglais pupils each had a printed exchange t-shirt with the exchange logo. Each host partner was also presented with one of these t-shirts. The t-shirts were designed by a Penglais pupil and printed by Pearprint in Aberystwyth. The Exchange logo is a combination of the Welsh symbol - the red dragon - and the Japanese flag. 

For more information about the t-shirts e-mail leo@llid.freeserve.co.uk  

In 2004 Penglais pupils also presented Otemae School with a large hand carved wooden lovespoon generously donated by the Lovespoon Gallery who sell a wide range of lovespoons which make a ideal gift as they are unique to Wales. You can find them at http://www.lovespoons.co.uk/  

Photographer Jeremy Moore's postcards, calenders and book of Wales also make good presents. You can buy his work in the Treehouse TLC and Siop y Pethe or see his work at http://www.jeremymoorephotography.co.uk/  

'The Monalisa' on Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth also stocks a comprehensive range of Welsh themed things and both the owners and their daughter have been to Japan and are wonderfully friendly and helpful. You might also try the Tourist Information Office.

Remember to take...

•  Plug converter: plugs are flat 2 pin 

•   postcards and photographs from home

•  a map showing Wales, Aberystwyth, Penglais and your home

•  gifts for your hosts

•   a diary. this is a brilliant way to record and recall your time in Japan.

•  camera 

•  something to read or music (it is a long plane journey) 

•  mosquito repellent

•  a day bag 

•  alarm clock

Useful hints...

•  There will probably be a weight restriction on your luggage.

•  When you are flying there carry some light summery clothes you can change into just before you land and avoid getting hot and bothered. 

•  Check what you can and can't take with you and bring back. Mostly it is common sense things but there are some unexpected ones, like honey.

•  Very roughly, to convert from Yen to Pound divide by 200

•  Japan is 9 hours ahead. Japan does not have daylight savings time or British summer time so you need to subtract an hour when calculating the time difference.

•  the code to call the UK from Japan is 0044 and leave out the 0 at the beginning of the UK number....

•  The code to call Japan from the UK is 0081 and leave out the 0 at the beginning of the Japan number

•  There are several companies you can use to phone abroad but only pay the cost of a national call by dialling an access number first - do an internet search to find the good deals at the time.

•  Leave some room in your rucksack: you will come home laden with gifts.