NABIL'S JAPAN HOMESTAY REPORT II BY MUHAMMAD NABIL LANANG ALIMAN Hiroshima International Club http://www.hiroshimainternational.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Hiroshima-International-161098590624982/

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THIRD DAY
On the third day, I had the golden opportunity to visit the Chuo Junior High School
which is the nearest school from our house. Before otosan went to his office, he sent me to see
the Vice Principal of the school. I was given a cup of hot ocha (green tea). After I greeted him, I
met all the teachers. Then, I introduced myself in front of my classmates. I was asked to sit
beside a Dubai girl, the one who can communicate with me well in the school. She was a student
there, came 3 months earlier.
I had the chance to interact with the students. They were really friendly to me. The most
important thing was everybody warmly welcomed me. I was so pleased to meet them. I showed
pictures of me at various places in Malaysia. They were quite fascinated and expressed a desire
to visit Malaysia someday.
The classes that I attended for the day were Mathematics, Social Studies, Music, English
and Science. I skipped a class right before noon as the Vice Principle took the effort himself to
teach me syuji. He also taught me the Japanese way of giving business card to someone else. I
applied the knowledge during the meeting with the Principal in the teachers’ room.

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 Arigato sensei. (Thank you, teacher).

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FOURTH DAY
Hippo Family members would gather to do activities on the weekends. Therefore, my
foster parents brought me along to the Muse Hall. There, I met Alia Nabihah. We sang some
Malay songs.We danced and played some games such as ‘scissor, paper, stone’.
Our next destination
for sightseeing was Seibuen
Amusement Park. If you want
an affordable amusement park
experience in Japan then
Seibuen is not bad. Nearby is
an indoor skiing facility called
Sayama Ski Slope. To get
there, we took a ride on Seibu
line from Ikebukuro. At the

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park, there are three main interesting places - the snow park, ice skating and theme park. First,
we played snow. I was so ecstatic. This was the first time I saw snow and touched it. My dreams
of playing snow came true! I enjoyed playing the snow so much with my foster family.
After that, otosan and I headed to ice skating rink while okasan and ototo went to the
theme park. Although Malaysia also has many places for ice skating mainly in Kuala Lumpur,
this was my first experience to play this activity, far away from my country.

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FIFTH DAY
It was Sunday, the weekly rest day for the public. There was no restriction, nor particular
plans for me by my foster parents. I had to tell them where I would love to be at or to visit.
Firstly, we went to Malaychan Restaurant for some affordable Malaysian food and
motherly love from its owner, Fukuzawa Shoko. She has been running it for seven years. To find
Malaychan leave Ikebukuro station from the Metropolitan Plaza exit, walk past Tokyo
Metropolitan Art Space and continue towards Nishi-Ikebukuro Park. Malaychan is not far from
Rikkyo University, in an interesting section of Ikebukuro with a number of other ethnic
restaurants (Indian, Chinese, Italian, and French) a minute away. I ordered tom yam noodles.
Hmm, the taste was so nice. At the first glance, I thought the waitress were Japanese. Actually,
she is a Malaysian student that works part time there. After I came back from Japan, when my
eldest sister saw the above photo, it turned out that the waitress was her schoolmate. What a
small world!

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After that, we spent most of our day visiting the temple at
Ikebukuro. It was a bit ordinary on the outside (beautiful,
certainly, but in a very traditional way). But the inside (which, incidentally cannot be
photographed) was gorgeous and the temple itself is often visited. I even saw a monk inside the
temple. There was also a line of shops selling various souvenirs.
In the evening, we played bowling. Otosan played very well, like a pro.

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SIXTH DAY
Since morning, everyone was not cheerful. This was what we called a sorrow day. I felt
like only yesterday I came to meet my foster family. Time flies so fast when you are having fun.
There were a lot more things I would like to share with them. All participants said goodbye to
their respective foster families.
It was still too early to check into a hostel. So after we placed our luggage in lockers, we
went to Akihabara. As soon as we came out from the Akihabara train station, the first thing I
noticed was the large crowd. Colourful buildings, billboard showing advertisement mainly in
Japanese; I assumed the advertisements were for the electronics product. Akihabara is the
famous ‘electric street’. It is also affectionately known as ‘akiba’ by the Japanese. Akihabara, I
would say, is the stuff for geek legend.
There are personal gadgets such as digital cameras, IPods, video cameras, handphones,
PCs, notebooks and more. I also found parts for digital cameras, wires for computers, and used
cameras and camera parts. General electrical household items may also be found here. Akihabara

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sums up everything I could associate with modern Japan. Here I can browse state of the art
electronics in the plethora of gadget shops, join the otaku (die-hard fans to manga and anime –
Japanese comics and animations), or pop in for a coffee and a game of chess with a French maid
(yes, really) in one of the many maid cafes.
Even though I am not into electronic I am glad I have visited the largest electronics town
in the world.
After that, we went to a halal restaurant that selling ‘kebab’. The kebab was so tasty, the
portions were huge and it was affordable most of all. yum yum ^_^.
We checked into the hostel at about 10.30 p.m.

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SEVENTH DAY
The last day was the best day
overall. We went to Tokyo Disneyland!
We were so eager to be there. Sensei
frequently warned us that it was very
cold as the place was situated near the
seaside. As for that, I put on my
warmest jacket and a pair of long john,
an inner wear. After that, I did not feel
too cold, thanks to the shiny bright Mr.
Sun. We left early in the morning so
that we could get in line to get tickets before the line got too long. Upon entering I saw lots of
souvenir and food shops. It is called the World Bazaar. This is where most shops and restaurants
are located.
The Disneyland features the educational, fun races and other
theme related activities. I played almost all of them, except the
Haunted Mansion that was closed for maintenance. Many of us felt
so disappointed to know that. We thought the place was one of the
best places available there, after the Sky Mountain.
All the goods sold were the items of Disney characters, and
the price was quite expensive. Hence, I did not buy anything there. Nevertheless I spent a fun-
filled day where excitements awaited me - Tokyo Disneyland and relived my childhood dreams.

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EIGHTH DAY
Finally, this was the last day we were in Japan, and my report almost come to an end. At
night, we stayed in a hotel just a stone’s throw away from the Narita Airport. Our flight was
scheduled to depart in the morning.
The plane soared high at about 11.30 a.m. I was lucky to be seated beside the window. I
love to see clouds. Inside the plane, I never slept. I killed the time by playing video games and
watching some movies. The meals provided were good.
We arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 6.00 p.m. We took group
photos; and not long after that, my parents came, the real ones. After I bid goodbye to everyone,
I followed my parents back home.

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CONCLUSION
My stay in Japan exceeded my expectations. Meeting with family and friends was the
best part of my homestay. I loved talking to my host family, first in English, then switching over
to broken Japanese. I definitely felt like a part of the family. Each day was a new experience of
fun and adventure. Each day was a challenge in language, travel, and emotions.
Even though we were not related by blood, I definitely feel I now have an extended family.
Homestay is my most valued programs or adventure I would say. The experiences I have
in Japanese homes will remain in my heart all my live. To others who are interested in joining
the homestay program, please do not expect 5-star treatment when you stay with your host
family. Always be accommodating and willing to learn. You may not visit as many places as you
will on a group tour, or eat luxurious dinners. My okasan cooked most of the time, and I
definitely enjoyed eating new dishes! It is good if you can offer to help out with the dishes and
laundry.
This experience has encouraged me to be more open about exploring new venues and
new climate. I never thought that I would be able to live comfortably for a week in the home of
strangers, but I must stress that the hospitality of my Japanese host family was beyond all my
expectations. I did enjoy doing cultural exchange through everyday life.
The program was an invaluable learning experience for my friends and I; something that
all participants will cherish for a long time to come. A big thank you to the Hiroshima
International Club and the Ministry of Education and all those who aided in implementing such a
once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Arigato. Terima kasih.