PREP!!!!

1/6/2019

The preparation stage. Everything that is happening behind the scenes till the day we fly out.

Exchange prep
Along with our Japanese lessons, we also have exchange prep with Mr Ali preparing us for Japan. Every Thursday from 3:20 to 5:00pm.
During these lessons with Mr Ali, we have gotten to know more about our Buddies and more about Jishukan. During this exchange prep, the 6 applicants and I have been preparing a cultural performance to share with Jishukan. We were also told the agenda of our trip such as when we get there, what is happening and the places we would go to etc. During this time, the other recipients and I have bonded and gotten to know each other more.

Whanau meeting
We had our whanau meeting on Tuesday 22nd May. All the applicants and their families came to inquire more about the exchange process. The whanau meeting consisted of Mr Ali giving a presentation about our trip to inform our parent (so that they are aware and don't worry too much) including information about our flight, our itinerary and Jishukan. During this night, I got to meet and know all the other applicants parents and got to hear a lot about the exchange from an ex-applicant Gabby along with her family. Thank you Gabby for coming and giving us a bit of an insight on what to expect in Japan. At least now I kinda know what to expect when I get to Japan

My Buddy
👈 (picture of her with her sister. She is on the right, her sister, Chiho is on the left)

Meet my buddy, Rie Oura. She is 17 years old and her birthday is on May 1st (My Birthday is on May 8th. We are both Taurus babies). Rei lives with her parents and her older brother. Her favorite sports is Tennis and she really like to play sports. The subjects that she takes in Jishukan is English, Science, Japanese, PE, and Math. I hope that we get along and make lots of new memories together both in Japan and New Zealand. I am really excited to meet her in person and get to know her more just like other applicant and their buddies.