I was able to participate in the “WAKUWAKU Cross Cultural Exchange” event, thanks to the International Office at BKC for introducing me to the event . This event arranges a group of two international students to visit primary and junior high schools in the city of Kusatsu and introduce their country and participate in exchange events with the students. Last year, in November I visited the Tokiwa Primary School, and in December I visited the Tamagawa Primary School.

At the primary schools, I introduced them about myself, my homeland, Ethiopia, the language, food, culture, etc. to the primary school students. The students also introduced me Japanese culture, Japanese food (sushi, etc.), Biwa lake, and many other famous places in Shiga. The students asked me many questions like: “what is the similarity between Ethiopia and Japan?” , “what kinds of food do you like?” and even questions like, “do you eat fish in Ethiopia?” The students didn’t really know much about Ethiopia or Africa, in general. It was a lot of fun to teach them about a country they know very little. When I showed them pictures of Ethiopia, many more questions were asked and I could really feel that the students were enjoying learning about a different country’s people and culture.

We were also able to play soccer, dodge ball, card games, and I even tried Japanese calligraphy, too. Sharing each other’s culture was fun for everyone, and was a very good experience for all of us.

The students were very open and innocent, and spoke about whatever came to their mind. Many of the students gathered around me and asked lots of questions; they seemed to be really enjoying themselves. We spoke in simple English and Japanese, and we were somehow able to communicate well. An Ethiopian language, Amharic, has its own alphabet. When I wrote some of the students’ names in Amharic, they were very excited, and many other students asked to have their name written as well.

When I first came to Japan I studied Japanese language at Kyoto University for about 6 months. At that time I participated in a similar NPO run program, but I really enjoyed this “WAKWAKU Cross Cultural Exchange” program more because I was able to stay with the students longer and experience their school life outside of the regular class time, too.

Even if you study at a Japanese university, it is not very common to experience life of a Japanese primary school. I have had a keen interest in the Japanese education system; so, I was very happy to be able to see what the students are doing in school and how the teachers teach in classes. This is a very good program for both international students and the primary school students. I have 2 more schools I get to visit before the end of the academic year, and I am excited about visiting these schools.