Seventh-grader experiences family overseas

The last two weeks have been an experience of a lifetime. I had the opportunity to visit Saroma, Japan with the Palmer Saroma Sister City Exchange Program. During this time I got to experience Japanese culture firsthand.

One of the most memorable experiences was having the honor of attending a wedding in Sapporo, Japan. The wedding was extremely elegant. I enjoyed the ceremony as well as a variety of dishes served. I was able to go to both the high school and the elementary school, go hiking on Mt. Horoiwa, sail on Lake Saroma, practice meditation at the Zen temple, visit a prison museum, and my personal favorite — sing karaoke with my fellow exchange students. I really enjoyed these experiences and felt like I was able to make many new friends and many memories that will last a lifetime.

I had the opportunity to live with the Nagano family. My host family was amazing. They were very hospitable and kind. They were Tadashi my host father, Aki my host mother, Kodai my host brother, and Reesa (Lisa) my host sister. They lived in the suburbs of Saroma. My mother was very kind and a great cook. My host father works in the town hall and is also a town photographer. In his spare time he likes to run marathons. My host brother and sister play piano. I play piano as well and we were able to play for each other. My host brother and I also like to sing. I attended the wedding with my host family, went to an aquarium with them, and even visited a revolving sushi bar. Customers order their food on an iPad-type screen and the food is delivered to your table via a conveyer belt. I had many more experiences with my family and I miss them very much.

The local schools were extremely fun to visit. They offer many different subjects, clubs, and opportunities for their students. The elementary students have many different experiences. First-graders take home economics. All elementary students are required to take piano. Young students have the opportunity to be in band at an early age. Middle school and high school students participate in many of the same activities as the young kids. The older students are very accomplished in music and singing. They all have to take cooking class as well. Many of the students study English as well. I really enjoyed attending school in a different country.

I really loved the Japanese people. They were so kind. The students in the school were very welcoming. I was very nervous before I got to Japan, but the people all made me feel at home. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip was being able to experience the Japanese culture. Some of the most interesting things were the restrooms. They varied from simple holes in the floor to extremely technological devices, complete with heated seats and dryers. I also learned that when you enter a Japanese home there is small space where you take your shoes off and then step up onto the main floor. You never step up onto the main floor with your street shoes on. The same is true at school. If you forget to bring your indoor shoes with you to school, slippers are provided for you to wear while you are there. The Japanese TVs are similar to ours. The Japanese commercials are not. They are flamboyant and don’t always make sense, but they were fun to watch. The other thing I really liked was a phrase that is said before a meal is eaten (itadakimasu), and after the meal is finished (gochisousama deshita). This is to thank whomever prepared the meal.

I’m very grateful for the Palmer Saroma Sister City Program and for everyone’s support in making this trip possible. This experience has changed my life. It has helped me feel very grateful for all of those who have helped to make this program a success. Even though a culture can be totally different, people are still accepting and kind, and treat others with love and respect. My host father Tadashi, gave me a CD with many pictures of my trip. On the front of the CD he wrote, “To Zane. We are family always.” I will never forget them or this incredible experience.

Doumo Arigatou!

As a seventh-grader at Palmer Junior Middle School, Zane Carter participated in a cultural exchange to Seroma, Japan as part of the Sister City Program.