Asian Youth Development Program in Okinawa

Aug.15 2014

Aug.19 2014

Today we learnt about the history of Okinawa and also in and out of Asia. It was mind blowing for 2 reasons. The first one is our guest speaker was not remotely Japanese, he was in fact American. And his knowledge about Okinawa and Asia was admirable. He approached problems in easy and interesting ways so we could keep track with the lectures. He gave us cookies for each correct answer to encourage individuals. The way he talked was so passionate too. The second reason why I loved this lecture was its content. I never did research about Okinawa so everything turned out fresh and new. Okinawa has so much potential geographically, culturally and economically since day one. I also learnt about Okinawa’s traditions and the emperors’ wise strategies when trading with the Chinese. Unlike most other countries at that century which paid tributes by slaves ( meaning real human- beings ) Okinawa never once traded the people, but instead, they used horses. I think that was extremely impressive.

In the afternoon, we moved to OIST ( Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology ) At first I was not that excited because I had deemed that this was going to be another campus tour where one would baffle about how amazing this university was. But in fact, it really was amazing. The first thing that struck me was its unique architecture. The glass buildings and the shapes really represented a technology institute. As I walked through the halls, I was literally blown away by all the inventions and photographs of research process that the subjects were no one else but OIST’s own students. OIST also supported equal gender rights. Women can work in science and technology fields! The environment was strictly professional and everyone respected each other. I had heard a lot about other ingenuous institutes such as Harvard, Stanford ( The communication dept manager was actually a Stanford alumni himself ) but his mind was really ahead of all that prestigious institute. OIST was a science place but everything felt friendly and very much at home. Now that was really precious. I’m actually so into science now even though I’m from Literature class. That’s how good OIST was in inspiring people.

ID: G1-4
Name: Tran Linh Chi
Country: VIETNAM

Aug.21 2014

auguest 21st is really busy day. because tomorrow has final presentation. So each committee prepare their presentation or perfomance. I’m in visual art group. we finish our AYDPO meaning and AYDPO vision poster.

It’s so hard work but every committee member did their best, and at the dinner we had a BBQ!! It’s very delicious! after the bath time we have rehearsal for final presentation. everything is perfect! I can’t believe that the day after tomorrow we have to saying good bye… Thanks for every AYDPO participants and staff! we can do our perfect final presentation tomorrow! Thank you so much for you guys’s hard work and strong passion! Today is very busy but we spend a most happy time.

ID: G2-5
Name: Kwon Yeojin
Country: KOREA

Aug.22 2014

Aug.20 2014

This day was very exhausting. Everybody was busy preparing for the final presentation. We, the performance group, finally finished the song for AYDPO 2014 and I am really glad that the other participants appreciated and was touched by the song we made. I personally think that each one of us is doing our best to make the final presentation happen and to make it a successful one to be able to show other people our concern for the Earth and our passion to make this world a better place to live in and to pass down to the next generation.

ID: G2-4
Name: Vasquez Agnes Marie Josef
Country: PHILIPPINES

Aug.17 2014

Today 17th august, is our last day for home stay program, I feel sad but this is the deadline time for this program.
So for the last day, our host father bring us to snorkling in a site that the view is very very awesome (^o^) hhhuuuuuu.
And the best part is in that place, there’s so many fish, everywhere you go there’s always fish, and small fish in a group or school bus…hehheh(*´∀｀) and in that time the weather is rainy…
After that, we go to home；shower, and then go to the beach, where our host mother run a shop.
We have a lunch there, helping our mother run the shop for the last time…(ToT)
Then we go to the port, i made some speech with my bro Min Sis…
Then go the Ferry…all the host family gave us some ceremony…hhuummmm
And blahblahblah (*^O^*)
When we reach the port, we were going to the bus
And take maybe 1hour ride from the port to the Hotel.
And i’m so tired, then i sleep in the bus.
When we reach the hotel, i woke up, take my bag and my baggage, go to my room.
Blahblahblahblah.
Arigato gozaimashita…(o⌒∇⌒o)

ID: G5-4
Name: Corte Real Turquel Josue Vladimir Bucar
Country: EAST TIMOR

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Today was the last day for us to stay with the homestay family. So sad to know that.

We have to arrived in IE Port at 3.00 pm. Then we had a farewell ceremony with our homestay family. The farewell ceremony runs well.
At 4.30 pm, our ferry was coming. Before we entered the ferry, we took a picture with our homestay family. Because we just have a short time, so we must enter the ferry quickly. Eriko and I went to the rooftop of the ferry. Then we waved and shouted “OBAA!” To our homestay family. Anyway, ‘Obaa’ means grandmother. And Obaa waved back to us

Finally, our ship started to move. Time must goes on. So, sayonara to our homestay family! The next schedule is waiting for us.

Cheerrriiiooo!

ID: G4-3
Name: Pradnyapramita Yaned
Country: INDONESIA

Aug.18 2014

I miss my host family Ie island. They were so kind and so passionate to take care of us me,khoa and katsu. On the first day in ie sland is were having some delicious foods and after we eat we go to the festival. In the festival we eat so much beef in the streets and everybody was having fun and enjoying while there watching the performance of other people. In aydpo family we laugh, we dance and we have fun until there’s no tommorow. The first,second and third day was the most fun adventure I have in my entire life for just a little time. I wish I could go back again in that island someday.

ID: G1-2
Name: Santella Melvin Charles Cano
Country: PHILIPPINES

Aug.16 2014

Today is the second day in the homestay.We visited traditional houses in Okinawa.
Roads are different from Chinese here,they’re narrow and exquisite.And the houses just like old men telling us the ancient story with rich experience in the rain.They came from the ancient times,and people inherit their tradition now.For lunch,we ate Okinawa noodles and Okinawa special sweet.Very delicious!

In the afternoon, we dressed up with Okinawa traditional costumes.And experienced traditional etiquette with the help of the hostess.
Thank you Yi Jing Island, for giving me a different experience.Thank you the people on the island ,for giving me a unforgettable homestay.
Thank you AYDPO2014 ,for giving me the chance to experience the homesday.

ID: G3-3
Name: Wang Zixuan
Country: CHINA

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HOMESTAY!!!!!!!!!
Homestay was one of the best experiences in AYDPO! Okasan and Otasan were so kind and friendly we weren’t afraid of them at all. On the first night we were threre, that had bbq to welcome us and it tasted sooo delicious! After that day, we got to go sight seeing and see so many beautiful pictures in IE island. I enjoyed the beach the most because i got to meet all of my friends. We played beach volleyball and went swimming. I got buried in sand and had shaved ice cream afterwards. Homestay was like a break after the midterm presentation and we all had so much fun together. The sights were indeed very beautiful and i really wish to go back and visit my homestay family once again. They seemed a bit lonely and they were so happy when they met us. Though it was only a three day stay at their we made a great bond together. On the last night i went up to the rooftop to look at the stars and was overwhelmed by how beautiful and clear the stars were!! I really wish that one day i could go back and take my family to see it together! When i go home i will definitely tell everyone about it so that i can return soon!

ID: G6-4
Name: Mongkolsinh Great
Country: THAILAND

Aug.12 2014

Today,it’s a nice day. The fresh air, the blub sea, a lot of mountain so I must to wake up very early. At 7:30am my group discussion beginning .I have to introduced the introduction os I have more activity to everyone. Fortunately my group do their best, I am so happy so glad to see like that.
After launch we can have free time 30mn, so I can relax and after that we the lecture about businesses idea so it’s very interested . At night we had group discussion we talked about keep problem try and thank I was moved.

ID: G4-1
Name: Ly Tiko
Country: CAMBODIA

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Hello everyone ! Today is my ninth day in Japan and now I’m at Tokashiki island. Well， I wake up at 6 am and quickly go to the auditorium for preparing the stuff because at 9 am we have a presentation of a vision board. I’m in group 3 and our group present the vision board in term of skit. Today is such a tiring day but i really enjoy in every activities. Today we also have an important and special lecture from a special person. Actually he is a business man who is well known as an ambassador “Mr. George Hara”. He has a deep knowledge about business an it’s a pleasant to learn from him. After dinner we have KTTP. KTTP is an activity which everyone honestly tell the truth and let everyone know what is in my mind. I’m so lucky to be a part of group 3 . Everyone is so nice and always take a good care of me. Thank you whoever put us together in the group and special thanks for AYDPO family for accepting me. Love o guys ：）

ID: G3-4
Name: Kanokwan Maneelok
Country: Thailand

Aug.08 2014

First day in this program very hard for me because my English very bad and I feel home sick but my tutor and my friend s help me they make me happy and we go together.
I have a lot of problems but all person in AYDPO don’t leave me they help me like real family.
I has a lot of friends, know ledges and experiences from AYDPO.
All people in AYDPO is my family and I love AYDPO very much thank for every thing……………

ID: G5-2
Name: Xongmixay Hansana
Country: LAOS