Asian Youth Development Program in Okinawa

Challenging. Fun. Amazing. These 3 words can aplly sum up today. The 2nd day at Tokashiki Island: an awesome stay so far, with an awesome view and awesome roommates. How much better can that get?

First, we had a lecture by Mr. Satoshi Kojima, about Water and Sustainable Development. This is the best lecture that I have sat in so far, the most interesting and also the most informative. It was something that I have never ever heard of before, and thus it was a huge eye opener for me.

Then came the group discussions, which allowed us to further deepen our understanding, and to think more about the matter. It was the most challenging group discussion and presentation so far, as it really pushed our boundaries to the edge, and forced us to think of solutions to water problems within a very short time. Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed it, as my group worked exceptionally well together, and I feel that we did an amazing job! Well done group 4!

I really cannot wait for tomorrow! We are going to help clean the beach through beach combing, and it is a chance to finally see the sea in front of me! I am extremely excited, and hope I have another chance to write again! Signing off!

P.S. Once the photos are out, I would upload them as soon as possible!

Group: 4-3
Country: Singapore
Name: Joejyn Marcus Wan

We have finally arrived in our second destination – Tokashiki Island! It was an hour or so of travel but I dont really think anybody noticed the time because they were busy either chatting, laughing out loud or just standing there, feeling the breeze.
An oishi lunch welcomed us. Some of us played killer game while waiting for the time and after that, we took a lot of pictures on the green field and then the opening ceremony followed shortly afterwards.

The afternoon session then started. We played two games – Oh! Deer and To be in their feathers. IT BECAME A WILD GAME! I even fell down during the first. It hurt but I just laughed at it. Everybody seemed to like running around and attacking people, really, I can tell.
The day didn’t end with just that. We had a group discussion after – at first, we were all very quite (tired, perhaps) but Chopra broke the silence and suggested his idea for the visual. We started with something small and had many modifications until we decided to break into groups – one for drawing and another for the presentation. It went on smoothly so yay for us!

AND NO. The day didnt end with just that. We had so much free time after dinner and shower. Some played in the gym (I just watched them played) and some of us came to the entrance of Sango B and stayed there to chat. That marked the creation of the International Club. (no not really HAHA)

Fin~

Group: G2
Country: Philippines
Name: Ree Maramba

Today I just came back from Karate school. I was very happy with this, because I knew a little bit of Karate now. My teacher said that our group and another groups are good, because we just took a short time than we can go on stage to show to people. At that time I was very nervous about it . because I’m afraid I can’t do it well. Finally my group and another groups can do it very well. After that I went to the lecture room. I knew a lot of knowledge from Mr. Shinji Nagase, like the water issues and he showed me a lot of videos that connected with the water issues and UN Volunteers, but some of vocabulary I don’t understand so I need to check dictionary to make sure it.

Group: 6-3
Country: Cambodia
Name: Solee Song

Hi Guys!! For me, there are just TWO WORDS that could sum up how the day went. “SIMPLY EPIC!”
To start, for me, there are three highlights to be talked about on this day. First, we had the Cultural and Historical Experience. There, we were allowed to choose between Karate or Eisa Dancing. I just went with Karate. For me, learning Karate was FUN and COOL because Karate was created in Okinawa, but it was also tiring. Second highlight would be the lecture on “International Cooperation in the Field of Water.” It was interesting! It was about the UN, MDGs and the UNV. Last but the not the least highlight of the day was the AYEPO 2010 Experience Presentation. It was very nice, learning what they did but was sad too that they were leaving early. It was probably my favorite highlight if I didn’t need to choose between that or Karate.
Anyway to conclude, I learned so much and that day was SIMPLY EPIC!!

Group: 1-2
Country: Philippines
Name: Cesar Ernesto Mapa Suplido

So in the morning we went to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technologies or OIST . The journey to that place was fun though because we karaoke-d in the bus. When we arrived to the location, we were mesmerized by the view of the beach of Okinawa from the place where the bus parked. And when we entered the OIST, we were mesmerized again with the structure of the OIST building which I assume to be so high technology. We then listened to the speech given by one of the Professor of OIST in the lecture hall. Then we were toured around the OIST to witness the technologies they have been using to make their researches. We had our lunch there and then we moved to the Bankoku Shinryokan for the opening ceremony. Every participant were equipped with a translator to translate the speech which was in Japanese. Then, all of the participants were introduced to the important people of Okinawa. A spectacular speech was made by our Japanese participant, Misato Kawama to express how we were all glad to be chosen for this program. After that, we were served by some original Okinawan desert which was really marvelous and traditional Okinawan dance were performed too.

While listening to the place that we were about to go.

On the bus, we had Moss from Laos to sing some songs.

Took some pictures when we arrived.

Group:4
Country:Malaysia
Name:Siti Nur Atiqah Binti Mat Noor

Today we wnt to OIST , a graduate school .
It was like looking at the future .
There were enormous microscopes .

We had the opening ceremony too !
The speech was very nice !!!!
Okinawa sweets were served .
It was my first time to have CHINSKO , Okinawa cookies !!!

It was a great day ((((((((:

Konichiwa, Its really interesting that I can join the Asian Youth Development Program in Okinawa 2011. I reached to Japan on 5 August and stay at Osaka for 2 days due to the typhoon. As I started joining the program it like having non-stop fun and many meaningful program but I’m upset that the Haarii Dragon Boat was canceled. The people in Japan are kind and they are very helping. The food here is totally different from my country but I enjoyed it. I think until here only my writing and I hope this program will always be a good program.

Group:G3-1
Country:Malaysia
Name:Muhammad Anas bin Sahabuden

August 7th, it was the first morning i came here. I’ve already came in okinawa in Aug 6th because of the thypoon in okinawa. We took the first lecture about “Let’s Become People Of The 22nd Century”. At first I didn’t understand what the professor was saying, but i kept on trying and i got it. And then we had our group discussion about similarities and differences of water and environmental issues. That was very fun. So now, I know that there are many similarities about water related issues. So that was all about my experience on Aug. 7th, what a nice day, my first time in japan. I hope, I’ll get nice experience in here 🙂

Group:4
Country:INDONESIA
Name:Donnie Indrawan