STIer flies to Japan as Youth Ambassador

"At last, the trip that I've been looking forward to experience has finally happened!"

 

 

 

The giggly voice came from Venuz Oabel who flew to Japan from April 13 to 22 as one of the delegates in The Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme.

 

According to Venuz, a 3rd year BS IT student of STI College-Fairview, the delayed trip originally scheduled in May 2009 was caused by the AH1N1 scare which was said to have spread in portions of Japan. The organizers decided to put it off for 2010 which apparently disappointed the delegates.

 

"My batch mates and I were saddened by the delay but we understand that the sponsors were only thinking of our safety," Venuz shares.

 

Funded by the Japanese Government, The JENESYS Program aims to deepen its delegates' understanding of the different facets of the Japanese society and help promote mutual understanding through youth exchange within the region, thereby forming a strong solidarity among Asian countries.

 

The program was launched during the Second East Asia Summit (EAS) when the Japanese government announced its plan to invite 6,000 young people from EAS member countries to Japan every year for five years starting 2007.

 

"It was an amazing adventure! I still can't believe I was able to go to such country on my own for free! After being exposed to their culture, I only have high praises for the Japanese," Venuz shares.

 

"Every part of the experience was great but I consider my homestay experience remarkably unforgettable. We were immersed in Japanese homes, and got to have a feel of what it's like to live with Japanese people in an informal environment and spend time with them as members of the family. The family I stayed with taught me how to cook simple Japanese dishes, how to appreciate the freshest food, and showed me how a tea ceremony goes about. They joyfully shared insightful ideas on how their government runs. They discussed interesting facts on how they raise Japanese children to be independent by age 21 and their culture's high regard for history as part of their sentimental nature as a society. All these and a lot more really made me see the Japanese in a different light," she adds.

 

Along with student representatives from different schools, Venuz was treated like a tourist during the 10-day trip. They were taught basic nihongo lessons and even traveled to key cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, and Hiroshima. As Venuz puts it, "I am really grateful to STI for giving me all the support I needed prior to my visit in Japan and to the organizers of this program for providing young people the opportunity to travel and learn at the same time."

 

 

The Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Program was created by the Japanese Government through the Japan Information and Culture Center, the Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with the National Youth Commission of the Philippines.

 

 

 

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