School of Fundamental Science and Engineering Brynn Li
Studying abroad in Japan has always been a dream of mine. In my 3rd year of university, this dream was made possible through Waseda, and though it was for a short and sweet semester, I wanted to make the most of the opportunity.
Walking around Tokyo, you always see huddles of adorable elementary schoolers, bouncing around with their little yellow hats and huge backpacks. I’ve always wanted to talk to these little balls of energy but never had any opportunities to do so. When I discovered the ICC Outreach Program, I knew I had to apply—I had never seen a Japanese elementary school before, let alone teach at one! For sure, this opportunity was a once in a lifetime chance to truly push myself out of my comfort zone and immerse myself in a local community.
After receiving the acceptance email from the Outreach Program, I was overcome with conflicting emotions: excitement, curiosity, but admittedly, a bit of nervousness. Thankfully, I had an awesome partner who helped me through all those worries.
My partner and I met multiple times to work on our presentation, coming up with fun ideas and topics relating to the U.S. to keep the kids entertained yet engaged. Through these meetings, I not only practiced my Japanese and learned a ton about Japan but also taught my partner about the states as well! It was so much fun showing him Takis, alligators in Florida, and just exchanging random tidbits about our home countries in general. For future participants, I highly recommend spending time bonding with your partner, since you’ll be able to exchange cultures at a deeper level and you’ll be more in sync for the presentation!
On the day of, to say I was nervous is an understatement. Meeting the other groups in the program and talking to my partner helped for sure, but I still couldn’t rid myself of the butterflies in my stomach. That is, until we walked into the school.
Immediately, we were hit with a chorus of enthusiastic screaming accompanied by huge grins and vigorous waving. Any anxiety I had instantly melted away, and what replaced it was pure excitement. We taught four classes in total, each class as energetic as the previous. The kids loved learning about cultural traditions and differences between the U.S. and Japan, and they were all incredibly engaged during our activities. One of them even drew a portrait of me which I will cherish forever! My partner and I were exhausted by the end, but we both felt incredibly fulfilled.
In the end, though I spent four invigorating hours teaching classes, I felt that I was the student rather than the teacher—as much as I taught about my own culture, I learned so much about Japan and the vibrant students at Waseda Jitsugyo Elementary. For anyone interested in this program, just know the payoff is absolutely incredible. This truly was a highlight of my study abroad experience and an unforgettable memory.
