(This entry is sincerely made to share my personal experiences as well as a form of gratitude to JICE)
Ah. I miss blogging. Did any of you remember that I sent my resume for a community work in Japan in my previous entry ? Hehe. I got it! I got it! It was the best news I have ever received during examinations week this semester.
Basically, it is a student exchange program under the name of Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths version 2.0. This international program is sponsored by the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism & Culture of Malaysia. This program aims to revitalize the Japanese economy through introduction of Japan's attractions to foreign tourists and consumers by promoting international understanding on the nation's potential strength and values.
To tell you the truth, I am very excited. Well, who will not. Right ? :) Everyone knows, Japan is one of the attractive vacation destinations & I 'm very lucky to come here under this program. The participants were given into several groups including Osaka and Nagoya, and I was placed in Gifu. I know Tokyo, Osaka, & Nagoya, but.. Gifu (Group A) ? .......I know nothing about this place.... until I arrived there.
So, what's up Gifu ? ...It is amazing! I always think that cities in Japan are all modern, very busy, and crowded (Obviously, since they are all considerably one of the top ones of the world).. but, please come to Gifu, you 'll change your perception. Gifu Prefecture is roughly divided into two regions: Hida in the north and Mino in the south. Hida region is defined largely by its grand mountains and the heavy snow it gets during the winter whereas the Mino region is characterized by its clear rivers. This sharp contrast between regions gives Gifu a marvelous variety in scenery and culture. How pleased I am with everything there.
As Gifu is located in the center of Japan, therefore the central gateway to Gifu is Nagoya's Central Japan International Airport, where many international lines pass through and which is easily accessible from Gifu. But, since our delegation is from Tokyo (we spent three days there), we alternatively taking the Shinkansen Bullet Train, which connects the major cities of Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo.
Talking about the shinkansen, it teaches me the basic Japanese attitude: punctuality. If a train arrives even one minute later than the schedule, Japanese railway companies will keep announcing their apologizes. I am particularly impressed with them. Another interesting fact is Japanese people usually will arrive at any meetings at least, 5 minutes before it started. The simple logic is that it takes about five minutes to get seated and settled for the meeting. Whoa! Double impressed!
Japan has really steal my heart. I fall in love with this country as soon as I landed at Narita Airport. Everything in Japan is so nice (Read Gifu: double nice). Travelling here gives me chance to visit a country that is full of tradition and culture. People here are very friendly too! (The best part of the visit have not written yet, about my visit to one of the universities & regarding my foster family). Later, I 'll write also on how Japan gives impact on my life (Absolutely, I have written one: punctuality).
To be continued... -my best friend will never like this entry. It 's too long. ha ha
