Back to page 1 , Page 2 of 2  Berly Laycox Berly from the US (University of Massachusetts Amherst '08). She took part in our option 2 program (language & part-time internship at a Japanese elementary school). "Why did I go to Okinawa? Well, where else can you see child sumo wrestlers, get a picture with a Pokemon car, eat a giant purple sweet potato, practice Japanese and still have time to enjoy the scenery and make friends? When I told my friends I was going to Japan they wanted to prep me on what it would be: fast trains, fast pace, and lots of sushi! However, when I got to Okinawa I experienced a very different lifestyle. The people were so relaxed and generous, the pace was as slow as a stroll on the beach and although there was sushi - there were so many more Okinawan foods I couldn't stop eating. I spent my four weeks in Okinawa interning at an elementary school which was the best thing I did while I was there. The children make practicing your Japanese stress-free and enjoyable as well as put a lot of humor in your day. I had the opportunity to interact with various types of people at the school, on a volley-ball team, and within my Japanese classes. My advice to future students is bring sun block and order Taco Rice in large quantities."

Chad Bruce Chad Bruce from the US (College of William and Mary in Virginia '09). He took part in our option 2 program (language & part-time internship at a Japanese elementary school). “I did an internship at a Japanese elementary school for about one month. My time contained some of the most enriching experiences of my life. Everything, from the internship to the Japanese Language classes, was even more rewarding than I had expected. The staff at both schools was incredibly friendly and open, often providing more hospitality than even a hotel. The coordinator, Mike Holland, was extremely outgoing and informative, and also knew how to sight-see quickly, while still maintaining an easygoing, un-stressful atmosphere. I never felt rushed, but always returned to the dorm tired, but very satisfied with the events of the day. I spent a lot of time with the children at the elementary school, and had a good chance to learn about Japanese culture firsthand. The students were amazingly friendly and energetic, always playfully bounding around the classroom before and after class, and usually listening intently to the English lessons. The lessons typically consisted of a game based around English, or some sort of story; regardless of the format, the lessons always engaged the children, and, more often than not, involved physical activity so as to keep the kids interested. All of the teachers I worked with at the school were helpful and polite, often going out of their way to make sure I could understand what was happening, even if it did not directly concern me. During more relaxed conversations, such as over lunch, we had enlightening conversations about our respective cultures, and often shared entertaining and humorous stories about our limited experiences with one another's cultures. The Japanese language classes I attended were also incredibly interesting. They provided me with a good deal of Japanese grammar and vocabulary, and reinforced these through conversations with other students, as well as standard worksheets. All of the staff did their best to make sure ever student understood the concepts they were being taught, and were not disinclined to tell related stories about living in Okinawa, as well as to rest from lecture to talk about the differences in culture between Japan and the other students home countries. The students themselves were also just as friendly as everyone else. Coming from countries such as Myanmar, Vietnam, China, the United States, Australia, and Germany, most of the students only had Japanese with which to communicate with one another. They could often be found hanging out after class with one another, often cooking meals and going out together, as well. Okinawa is a wonderful place. The entire island is a living, breathing tropical paradise, where the locals are friendly and open, and willing to work past the language barrier and cultural differences to make a new friend, or just experience something new. The island is rife with important cultural heritage sites, both for Japan and Okinawa, beautiful beaches, and delicious food. Regardless how long I live, I will never forget my all-too-brief time in Okinawa.”

Trine Vellesen Trine Vellesen from Norway (Norwegian School of Economics '06). She took part in our option 1 program (language only). “My name is Trine Vellesen, and I did a four week long Japanese language program in August 2008. The program covered all my expectations, and much much more. In Okinawa you can experience a part of Japan that is totally different from the mainland. It is a relaxed environment with really nice people. The food is delicious, the climate is perfect and there are lot of things to see. Mike Holland is a great guide, and showed us the best things Okinawa had to offer. After the language program I traveled some of the other islands in the area. I had great time meeting new friends and practice my Japanese with locals. I highly recommend this program to everyone! You will never regret going to Okinawa!”

Dennis Wei Dennis from Brazil (Boston University '09). He took part in our option 1 & 3 program separately (language only & full-time internship at a hotel). "My name is Dennis Wei and I took part in the internship and language program in Okinawa, Japan. I have to say I had an amazing time, met the friendliest people, and made memories that I will treasure forever. At first I had been looking for an internship abroad program in Japan, and through some research I was able to contact Mr. Holland, he was very helpful and friendly, and helped me along the way to help me get my VISA and make the study abroad possible. My first impression of Okinawa was great. Mr. Holland showed me around Okinawa’s breathtaking scenery, monuments and Ryukyu castles, along with the other students who were already there. The other students at the program were very friendly and polite, and I must say we had great laughs during the summer.   My Japanese was very mediocre at first, but through the internship program I was able to speak and get comfortable speaking Japanese. When I first began the internship program, I was quite scared of speaking Japanese but gradually, I made friends at the hotel, and they made me feel comfortable at work as well as during our days off. At the hotel, I was able to work hard, eat great food at the hotel cafeteria, and get an overall great experience at the hotel. After my internship I began to study at the school, there I began speaking to the teachers which were so friendly and always answered all my questions, about culture, language, and life. When I had problems during the summer, Mr. Holland, and the teachers always helped me out. During my time in Okinawa, I also made local friends, these friends even took me to the airport on the day of my departure, these friends spent the last few weeks with me, and we did everything from karaoke, fireworks, going to the beach, photographs, and walking around town. I cannot explain very well my experience in Okinawa since it was so amazing. If you want to know about my classes or my internship, you can contact me and I will be more than happy to tell you my stories – just ask Mr. Mike Holland for my email address. I am so grateful to Mr. Holland, his wife, the hotel staff, the locals, and the students in the program, since they all were indispensable for one of the greatest summers I’ve had in my life. I encourage all of you to go (^o^). Please forgive me if my English is incorrect, since it is my second language. Thanks."

James Boydston James from the US (California State University, Monterey Bay '09). He took part in our option 2 program (language & part-time internship at a Japanese elementary school). "I came to Okinawa to get a foot hold on my Japanese and ended up getting so much more. I maintained a busy schedule of interning at a local elementary school and intensive Japanese classes, and then followed it by packing as many cultural events and as much sightseeing as I could possible handle. I had a large interest in business and entrepreneurship, and my program coordinator Mike Holland made sure to introduce me to several successful businessmen and government officials, I even got to spend time with the local professional basketball team. Throughout my entire four week program I constantly felt like a VIP in Okinawa. In short, it was amazing!"

Joseph Garcia Joseph from the US (Texas A&M University '10). He took part in our option 3 program (full-time internship at a Japanese elementary school & hotel). "I was a full-time intern from June 30th to Aug 5th, 2009. I did two weeks at Nakanishi Elementary School in Urasoe city as an assistant English teacher. That was a very rewarding and interesting two weeks. I basically interned at the school a few weeks before the end of summer vacation, but the transition was easy and the faculty were very welcoming. Also, the kids were very interested in me and what culture and things I brought from America. For someone with only mediocre Japanese speaking ability, I was able to understand the children and faculty most of the time. My remaining 3 weeks in the internship program were at Kanucha Bay Resort, where I worked in a different section of the resort each week. I worked as a member of the Bell staff, the Front Desk staff, and Restaurant staff. This part of my internship was much more difficult (because you need to use Japanese much more) than my teaching at Nakanishi Elementary School but it was still a very good experience for me. Besides the internship part of the program, I got to do many interesting things such as sightseeing and various events like AmericaFest at Kadena Air Force Base for the 4th of July. I definitely recommend this program not only because of the low cost, but also for the experiences of a lifetime." Back to page 1 , Page 2 of 2