International Day
- カテゴリ：日記
- 2014/02/14 22:53:19
Today was my school`s international day!
Since my school is an international school, naturally, we have a international day to cherish everyone`s cultural diversity. Since my school is small, we only have 15 countries. Nevertheless, our international day is still exciting.
We divide the families by continents: Asia, America, Europe. Philippines is our host coutry so its a different matter. They form one independent group. We also have the Commonwealth group as well.
Naturally, I belong to the Asian group. The Asian group is the biggest but there`s only three countries: Japan, China, and Korea. There`s a single Chinese family, three Japanese families (including mine), and sixteen Korean families.
*In the past few years, Korean industry started to come into Philippines and Korean imigrants increased.
I must say, every year, our booth is the worst one since none of the parents are enthusiastic about it (especially the Korean parent). The other groups are more that enthusiastic. They come up with amazing ideas!
This year, Asia`s theme was `Unity' since it`s on Valentines. In fact, the teachers were planning on making the theme `Valentines' until most of the Asian parents and students (including me) opposed to that idea. Valentines isn`t a culture of Asia in the first place. They were even planning on putting a chocolate fountain on our booth! Chocolate on a Asian booth. How weird can THAT be?
Anyways, our theme ended up to be `Unity'. I find it very ironic. Three countries: China, Japan, and Korea uniting. As far as I know, there wasn`t a single time in history when these countries united in the past 2000 years. Sure, there were attempts, but we`re tangled in conflicts until now!
Leaving that fact, the other group`s theme was interesting as well: Europe`s was Cafe and European food culture; America`s was Hollywood; Commonwealth`s was theatre, literature, and arts; and Philippines`s was a traditional water festival.
As a representative of Japan, I directed a game for the kids: 叩いて被ってじゃんけんポン！
There were many other choices, but thinking about the difficulty of organizing kids, I decided that the simpler the better. That way, I don`t need to have a hard time explaining the rules to the kids! Plus, the game itself is fun despite how simple it is!
Of course we used a inflatable hammer for the game so that the kids won`t injure themselves. lol
The kids seemed to enjoy themselves and they loved the prize which was a scoop of cute small erasers from Japan!:D
In fact, even the parents and the teachers played the game just to win the erasers!
I`m impressed at Japan`s technology of making things. Everyone wanted the erasers, and many of them asked me where they can biy the inflatable hammer (which was from Japan as well).
Though I didn`t have enough time to fully enjoy the other booths (sine I was directing the game), I had a fun time!
International day was certainly fun. I guess its one of the perks of an international school! It`s always fascinating to hear and experience things from foreign countries.
I`m also glad that the game worked pretty well. Everyone had fun hitting each other playfully.
As for the plastic inflatable hammer, I gave it to one of my classmates since it was too much effort to deflate it. It seems like he gave it to his 6 year-old sister! :D
It was good to know that you're surrounded by school mates from so many different countries. (I don't see 15 countries as "only"! )
It sure broadens your mind-set; you'll come to accept different thoughts and ideas. :D
I enjoyed being in the U.K. and the U.S. mingling with the people there to feel people are all different, and at the same time, we feel things in the same way.
Oh, I gave out Japanese erasers as souvenirs too! The yummy ones putting pieces together to make one. :D
Thanks for sharing your pleasant experience on an international day at school.
You're lucky to be surrounded by a lot of different school mates from various countries with whom you can share diverse senses of values and perspectives in life.
I'm certain your daily contact with your school mates will make great contributions to broaden your viewpoints on your future life.
I believe from my experience of having accepted a lot of exchange students at home that there are three stages before we reach mutual understanding with each other: ① Recognize the difference, ② Appreciate the difference, and ③ Enjoy the difference.
Actually you've been going through these steps unawares in your daily school life.
Good luck.
I have never heard it until today.
I can imagine you had good time.
It sounds nice having an International Day in your school.
Your idea "stone-scissors-paper" is surely a big hit!
We tend to forget about Japan's being a part of Asia, but when I talk to Chinese people, I recognize that.
Some years ago, a Chinese mother said " I've never felt Japan is a foreign country."
I was a little surprised to hear that because I had never felt that way.
Now I'm teaching several Chinese students who came from China, their pronunciation of English is superb!
Some of them are tri-lingual like you.
See you soon!