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Intercultural Exchange Experience at Fukuoka (Summer 2018)

9/27/2018

47 Comments

 
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Written by Geoff Wong (S.1)

​It was an exhilarating and a fruitful journey for me to join the intercultural exchange programs organized by the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC). Together with another five Peace Ambassadors from Hong Kong, I attended the 30th APCC Anniversary Celebration and stayed in Fukuoka for 12 days. I would like to share my experience gained there to everyone who likes Japan and their culture.
 
The programs started with a 6-day stay in a camp site, namely Marine House, followed by another 6-day stay in a hosting family.
 
In Marine House, ‘PlayDay’ was the most valuable and enjoyable activity. I have had a chance to wear Kimono (traditional Japanese garment) and I dressed smartly in blue, wasn’t I? It was an unforgettable experience because nowadays Japanese wear Kimono only in special festivals.
 
I also played Shogi, a traditional Japanese chess. Shogi, aka Game of Generals, is a popular game in Japan and nearly everybody in Japan knows it. Shogi is similar to XiangQi, the Chinese chess. I myself, who is fond of XiangQi, was almost addicted to it when I first played it. There are 40 chess pieces in Shogi. The target of Shogi and XiangQi are the same ── checkmate (putting the other player's ‘將/玉將’ under a inescapable direct attack).
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On the 7th day, I went to the school of my host friend, Kouta. He was very enthusiastic and played many different games with me (including my favourite game, Shogi). Excited and joyful voices reverberated throughout the corridors, the stairs, the playground and everywhere in the school. You know what, Japanese pupils are used to exercise and environmental friendly. They used to walk instead of relying on transportation. Just like us, some classmates spent an hour back and forth between home and school, but they are on foot. Very impressive!
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The food was delicious. As one might think, the Japanese food (e.g. Miso soup and Sushi) in Japan tasted similar to the ones in Hong Kong. Yes, but they were much fresher, odorous and delicate and most importantly, cheaper. I would also like to recommend nattō to you all, which most of us have never tried before. Nattō is sticky, looks ugly and smelly but it’s worth a try as it provides a lot of protein and vitamins. Like durian, nattō may be an acquired taste because of its powerful smell, strong flavor, and slimy texture. I highly recommend that you eat it with a bowl of rice.
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During the weekend, we attended a DIY session to make clay bowls, played Judo and tried farming. We picked carrots we liked for dinner and blueberries for dessert. This is what we cannot experience in the city life of Hong Kong. And the clay bowl, which had already been shipped to me after a month’s sail. A contented smile materialized from the bottom of my heart when I glared it.

It was a great trip and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the bottom of my heart I am very much grateful for the opportunity YWPS and Mrs Lam gave me for joining the APCC, which is currently known as the biggest international event for children in not only Japan, but the world, and is conducted under the cooperation of local and international citizens, government and business institutes.
47 Comments
Dr H C Lee
9/27/2018 09:53:25 am

Thanks Geoff for this great piece of sharing. I think Japan loved to have your visit too. You're so friendly, mature and intellectual. I hope that you'll keep in touch with the friends you've made there!

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 05:37:15 pm

Dr. Lee, thank you for putting this passage onto the English Department website. I am very delighted to see a large number of comments down there. I am sure the P.6 boys can polish their English writing through this blog writing and commenting exercise.

My host friend and I are keeping in touch. We are now pen-friends! I will keep writing and practicing too.

See you!

P.S. I have received a lot of gifts and presents from them!

Reply
Derrick chung
9/27/2018 06:02:35 pm

I can really see that you were enjoying yourself when you went to Fukuoka,I personally have been to Japan many times but I have never seen anything like this.Thank you for your sharing.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 03:26:23 pm

Yes, this is the unique and extraordinary experience only provided by APCC! And I hope you can try it in future too!

Reply
Yuen Lok Him Alvin
9/27/2018 06:22:26 pm

I think this trip is very interesting,after seeing Geoff's sharing,I like to experience it myself.One question, when you was making the pots your
hands painful?

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Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 03:44:11 pm

Of course not, HA HA... Instead, it was a fancy and 'sticky' experience. It is more challenging than your V.A. class as it is difficult to shape the pottery on a high-speed rotating stuff (it is a throwing machine). However, I carelessly poked a hole on it and wasted a piece of clay (I was very sorry about that) while chatting with my host friend.

Reply
Max Ma the person who comments comments
9/27/2018 06:27:46 pm

I would love to know more about the "Play Day" which you mentioned, you wrote that it was the most enjoyable and valuable activity of all. I also tried the natto and I didn't find it as promising and digestible as you did...... I suggest you to write more about the details and days you spent in Marine House. Thanks for writing this article for me and those who were not in your wonderful travel experience.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 03:46:31 pm

That's why it is an acquired taste!

Reply
Jayden Chan
9/27/2018 06:30:18 pm

I have been to Japan too and I don't know that you can make clay bowls I had tried to make glass cup but not clay,and the natto too.I want to ask what did you learn during the lessons is it as same as Hong Kong?Thank you for your sharing.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 03:57:50 pm

Yes, I was totally surprised as it's my first attempt to make a pottery. We made it in a shop in Mojiko.
However, I can hardly reply your question as I just had some games with them. I have had no lesson.
P.S. I was nearly suffocated as there was no air conditioner in all classrooms and the hall!

Reply
Enoch Leung 6A
9/27/2018 06:46:27 pm

I would like to know more about the natoo you mentioned .I think that you should write more about the food and your friend and cut some introduction because the introduction is a bit too long

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:04:57 pm

Thanks for your comment. Please enlighten me with a suggested introduction.

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Cheston Leung
9/27/2018 06:47:34 pm

I can feel that you really enjoy the trip from your writing,I like the Japanese food like sashmi or miso soup.I would like to go to Fukuoka too!

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:07:00 pm

Then do not forget to join APCC's 31st Exchanging Programme!

Reply
Cheston Leung (add)
10/1/2018 09:31:53 pm

Geoff,let me ask you a question,do you think the host family is friendly and kind to you?If yes, than I will want try to live in a host family to!Hope you have a good memory from this Fukuoka trip.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/11/2018 09:11:40 pm

Yes, they are really nice! They brought me to Japanese farms and even telecommunication museum too!

Holman Chan 6A
9/27/2018 07:31:04 pm

Geoff I am very glad that you can go to APCC,I want to go too.Why?I saw the writing that you write is very attractive.My favorite activities in your writing is playing the Shogi .Because I think Shogi needs to use your brain to think more.Next time I will go to APCC if I have chance.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:09:36 pm

Do you want to join APCC? Go and approach Mrs. Lam for nomination.

Reply
Henry Choi 6A 09
9/27/2018 08:20:48 pm

I think the trip is very interesting after reading your Exchange Experience at Fukuoka! I really want to try Shogi, the Japanese chess, as I also like to play chess. If I have a chance to go there, I would have enjoyed that trip because I loved to go to Japan and I would like to try some activities such as making clay bowls or farming.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:11:36 pm

Yes, I suppose so.

Reply
Marco6B
9/27/2018 08:38:59 pm

I love your writing very much and I love the clay pot making the most.Can you add more details in this writing?

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:14:33 pm

Which perspective you would like to know more?

Reply
Ian Chong 6A
9/27/2018 08:54:29 pm

Your experience in Fukuoka was very special, especially about the schools in Japan. I have never experienced the school-life in Japan. I would like to attend the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention as well.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:21:46 pm

Oh! Do you want to join APCC? Go and approach Mrs. Lam for nomination.

Reply
Koo Ying Lap 6B
9/27/2018 09:09:35 pm

After reading your writing ,I also want to try playing Shogi .It seems very fun! Is it very hard to do a clay bowl? I think that it is extremely difficult. It is such a fruitful trip. Can you write more about your experience? I would like to know more details of your trip.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:26:24 pm

Your comment seems similar to that of Henry Choi 6A(09)!

Reply
Ryan Yuen 6B (30)
9/27/2018 09:26:23 pm

Your writing is full of brilliant vocabs and adjectives,although you can actually focus on one point rather than writing undetailed each point.Anyway, I’m quite interested at the chess Shogi.Isee that you concentrated a lot while you were playing it .Seems that you enjoyed it.Can you tell me what is your favourite part?The 6 days in Marine House or the rest of them with the host family?

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:30:09 pm

Should it be "interested in"?

Reply
Chad Lee 6B
9/27/2018 09:33:17 pm

Your trip is very interesting!I love making clay pots the most.I tried it before too.I love Japan to!Can you add more details of the photo of tae kwon do?

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:33:00 pm

This is just a short sharing!
P.S. It should be Judo instead of Tae Kwon Do.

Reply
Sky Wong 6A (27)
9/27/2018 09:41:52 pm

Your experience is really interesting,the most favourite part is the Shogi . I like Shogi as I liked chess too. But that seems it's harder than
Chinese chess. Can you write more about Judo? I would like you to write more about Judo.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:36:17 pm

I have just spent an hour or two on Judo. I'll tell you more if I have chance.

Reply
Larry Tam 6A (22)
9/27/2018 09:49:49 pm

It should be a joyful trip.You can play Shogi with your host friend.I have learnt something about Japan after your sharing,thank you!

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:37:00 pm

You're welcome.

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Morris Law 6A 15
9/27/2018 09:54:19 pm

The most interesting part is you played Shogi. I love to play XiangQi. Since you said that Shogi is familiar to XiangQi, I want to play it.

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:41:33 pm

Go and get one in department store if you like it. It seems that there are many "Shogiholic" in 6A, teach them if you have learnt it.

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Alfred Tsang 6B
9/27/2018 10:04:19 pm

The trip looks very enjoyable, I hope I can try the Japan chess game Shougi too! It looks very interesting. The making clay bowls activities looks very fun too. Since we can't try it in Hong Kong, I would really like to try that in Japan!

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:44:07 pm

So go and try!

Reply
Dante Chang 6A
9/27/2018 10:35:12 pm

This trip looks like very interesting,i loved the Miso soup and Sushi too,BTW is the Kung Fu classmates your classmate in your class?

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 04:45:22 pm

No, they are not.

Reply
Jack wong 6A
9/27/2018 10:55:12 pm

Wow! You are so lucky to be on this trip! It must have been very fun. I wish I could be like you and join the program. ; )

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 05:01:54 pm

Yes, I am really lucky though. YWPS has two ambassador out of six. It is record-breaking.

Reply
justin wong
9/27/2018 11:17:26 pm

I think this trip must be amazing and interesting i really like japan too i wish i can be there and u must be very dirty and tired after all that

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 05:19:31 pm

Yes. I was exhausted and I slept early (around 22:00) every night. Ask your parents to go there during holidays if you wish or join APCC.

p.s. Please pay attention to capitalization, Dr Lee will examine what you wrote.

Reply
Justin Wong
10/2/2018 07:56:01 pm

thx

Hadwin Ying 6A
9/30/2018 04:08:56 pm

Wow, such a fascinating programme.I am already thinking that should I join this as it will be a extremely memorable experience!

Reply
Geoff Wong (S.1)
10/1/2018 05:21:38 pm

Of course you should. As I said, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can only apply while you are 11. How old are you? I am still 11~ HA HA!

Reply



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