Sunday, July 6

Welcome to the blog about University of San Diego 2014 Tokyo Program!

We left San Diego International Airport today, and arrived at Tokyo. Then we had a dinner party amongst ourselves in one of the high rise buildings in Shinjuku. We had a wonderful view of Tokyo at night. Please see a few pictures from our 1st day of the program.

At San Diego International Airport

Tokyo Night

Monday, July 7 First Days

What an exciting few days it has been in Tokyo!  We arrived in the evening on Sunday and powered through the jetlag to have a beautiful dinner on the 40^th floor of a building overlooking the city.  In the morning we had breakfast at the hotel, then headed over to Waseda University where we met with Professor Asada and two graduate students studying education here.  6 of our SD crew presented their action research to us, which was really informative and interesting.  Highlights include Jennifer’s presentation on the Japanese practice of lesson study being incorporated into American schools to help teachers develop greater professionalism, as well as Nicole’s presentation on mindfulness in the classroom. After presentations we were given the “royal treatment” and ate a very unique bento box that had been previously prepared for the Emperor himself.  Highlights included snail and shrimp with eyes. I am proud to say we are an adventurous group and tried nearly everything in the box.  Everything else was pretty much unrecognizable as anything other than from the sea.  Overall the trip has been wonderful so far, filled with excitement and lots of firsts.  The city itself is beautiful and the people are lovely.  Each day I grow more in love with Tokyo as the food, transportation, language, and unique culture challenge us all to move beyond our comfort zones.

Traditional Japanese + American breakfast buffet

Eating with the lovely Emily

The ridiculous amount of beverage options at one of the hundreds of vending machines on the streets

Funny character on the seats of the public bus

From Jennifer's presentation

From Nicole's Presentation

Imperial bento box.  Note large shell with weird crustacean inside

John bravely eating said crustacean.

              

                  

                                                                        Gardens at Waseda

Random people in kimonos on the street.

Monday, July 7th Japan Arrival and Day 1

I am a little late on my post but the internet in my room hasn't been working so I am currently stealing Barrett's Internet, so thanks Barrett! :)

Our first evening in Japan consisted of an amazing dinner with a gorgeous view!

Day 1: Waseda University

On our way to our first train ride and experiencing the light rains of Japan!

Today we had the opportunity to visit Waseda University. Waseda is a beautiful campus!

We had the opportunity the meet Waseda students, Shin and Natsumi. USD shared their action research and we also had the opportunity to hear their action research presentations which we amazing! Looking forward to hearing about their results. 

Lunch was very interesting but we all survived!These are Bento Boxes provided to the Emperor. Here is a picture of David eating Snail... It wasn't bad to say the least.

After a campus tour, Shin and Natsumi took us out on a Ramen Tour. This was by far the best Ramen we have ever had.

Overall, it was a great start to Tokyo!

-Marina

Tuesday, July 8 Tuesday in Tokyo

Wow, what a day we had! We embarked on a half day cultural tour, showing us the must-see sites in Tokyo:

The Meiji Jingu Shrine

The Imperial Palace

Asakusa Sensoji

Tokyo is unbelievably beautiful. So much so, I will share our day through pictures:

Greg enjoying the bus ride

The Meiji Jingu Shrine

We began with a water purification ritual at the shrine:

                                     

                                     

Visitors' wishes are displayed at the shrine:

Asakusa Sensoji

                                                   

At the Buddhist Temple, you draw a chopstick, which leads you too a drawer filled with fortunes. 

If you pull a bad fortune, you tie it here:

                                          

The market at Asakusa, filled with plenty of trinkets:

                                     

The Imperial Palace:

This was the first time Dr. Inoue was able to enter this far into the Palace. Truly a beautiful sight

Tuesday, July 8th

What a trip so far.  This is such a departure from anything I have ever experienced.  Here's some things I've learned:

-People don't make eye contact

-Thank you's are everywhere (and sometimes highly elongated)

-Masks - wear one if you're sick, wear one if you're trying not to get sick, or if you're a girl without makeup that day, wear one

-Fruit as gifts

-Somehow horrible American restaurants have made it here, I'm talking to you Sizzler, go home

-The shinjuku metro station is insane

-Restaurants are tiny

-True Japanese breakfast is challenging

-Umbrellas, not jackets

-Walk on the left if you want to go with the flow

-Men: White shirt, black pants

-Women: Skirt and white shirt

-Eggs taste better

-People like to try out their English with you

-Slippers in bathrooms

-I appear to be the only one sweating in this weather, which is odd

-Silence is golden on trains and busses

-If you're doing something rude, people will not let you know it



Although I have no hope of blending in here, I'm at least trying out some of the customs and working on understanding the finer points of being Japanese.  More vocab words needed. More to come.



-John

Wednesday, July 9th Meiho Elementary School!

Yesterday was such an exciting day! As budding educators, we
were extremely fortunate to teach a lesson to 5^th grade Japanese
students. After about a 45 minute ride on the subway, we arrived at Meiho Elementary School, and
were greeted so enthusiastically by students and the staff. After a short
meeting, and information about the school, we took a tour. The school was full
of art, and rooms with instruments, books, and sewing machines. The school had
a garden, and children were swimming, playing and learning so many things. We
taught them line dancing, the cha-cha slide, and “Simon Says”. They were
receptive, and incredibly warm and welcoming.

After we left, we heard Japanese educators speak to us about the Japanese Education
system, and their goals in the classroom. After hours of fruitful discussions
and a wealth of information, it was time to party!

Meiho Elementary School and Waseda University were so kind in throwing us a welcoming

party at a beautiful restaurant (and it had open bar! J) We played games, exchanged
gifts and, overall had such a fun night! The more we got to know each other,
the more our differences dissipated and our similarities came to light.

It was truly a wonderful experience, and many of us made friends here in Japan we will be keeping in contact with for years to come!

A classroom at Meiho Elementary School!

Thursday, July 10th Japanese Lesson Study

After a full day of hanging with the students at the elementary school, we were excited to return today for one of the most important aspects of our trip: Lesson Study.

One of the younger teachers, Ito Sensei, graciously allowed us into his classroom to observe his math lesson, record it on video, and analyze it with the Waseda University students that we have been spending time with over the course of this week.

We learned the KG method of Lesson Study, in which you watch a lesson, make observations based on evidence, and create a map of our observations by grouping the observations, labeling them, and drawing connections between them. It was absolutely fascinating to be able to spend so much time discussing what we saw and organizing it. Together with our Japanese friends, we presented suggestions to Ito Sensei. 

What I really loved about the work we were doing together, and the whole process of lesson study, is that it combines the eyes and voices of so many brilliant people. Different people see different things, and the whole process of professional development through lesson study is stressful, humbling, and eye-opening. Because everything has to be grounded in evidence, we were able to focus on concrete ideas that he could take back to his classroom.

It’s a scary process, but I think that lesson study is a process that all teachers could profit from. To open your classroom and yourself to consistent improvement through this kind of analysis is a strength that I believe could lead to some amazing teachers. More importantly, though, it fosters a kind of collaboration that I feel is missing from my own work at schools in the United States.

That evening, we had some free time to go get some food and explore more of the city. I am so grateful to be able to interact with this culture. More than halfway done with our week, I plan to soak in as much as I possibly can. A few of us are heading to Kyoto tomorrow, and we have a big karaoke party coming up at the end of our trip.

Japan is such a unique and wonderful country. It seems as if there is a never-ending amount of places to explore.

Friday, July 11 Friday Exploration!

Today was the first day that we fully explored the city!! We had an amazing day!  We first slept in until 8 am and were able to spend a few hours in the hotel breakfast buffet.  This buffet has an endless amount of food and is quite spectacular.  Next we went to Harajuku and spend the day wandering amongst the lights and locals.  It was the most humid day so far, but we survived.  We walked into every random shop we walked by and found the most remarkable stores. 

We went into all the shops and had plenty of delicious drinks.  Because it was so humid, we took a break back at the hotel before the night began.  We saw all of our friends and we prepared for Roppongi.  A friend who lives in Tokyo led us around and the whole group ate some delicious ramen.  Next, we went out to an international party.  It was the most crowded little dive bar we have been to and it was an interesting experience.  We made it all through the train station and we met some wonderful people!

Friday, July 11 A day to explore on our own.

 The typhoon surprisingly passed without too much wind or rain and the morning was sunny by nine o'clock.  It must have taken the moisture with it because I noticed a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji from my window for the first time.

 Subway was even more crowded on the way from Dream island, an artificial island built on a landfill.

 Awesome views of Rainbow Bridge and the bay.

Back in time for a little rain squall and a spectacular rainbow.

Saturday, July 12th A Great Trip

A crowded commute on the Tokyo transit system. Tokyo's  public transportation can get you just about anywhere you need to go. We'll miss it back in Southern California.

Our Ramen tour led by Waseda University student Natsumi. The food was delicious. Each Ramen restaurant has a vending machine where you make a selection and hand the server your ticket.

In our opinion, easily one of the best moments of the trip. USD and Waseda University students had a welcoming party with great food, an exchange of gifts, and the best variation of rock-paper-scissors you will ever see - it was intense. Much thanks to Dr. Inoue and Waseda University for putting this on.

The trip concluded with a bang as Dr. Inoue treated us to a farewell Karaoke party. Everyone had a blast although Dr. Inoue probably deserves the award for best performance.

-Greg and Mike

Saturday, July 12th Words of advice for the next lucky group

In my absolutely unbiased opinion, I would like to officially declare the USD SOLES Global study Japan trip a stunning success!  

I feel quite confident speaking for all when I say San Diego (with it’s painful addictive weather and Mexican food) could not be a better place to come home to after a life changing trip.

Since I get the privilege of being one of the last bloggers (thanks to Dr. Inoue’s unending kindness and patience) I would like to leave some words of advice for the next group.

#1 The food is amazing, especially the breakfast that the hotel provides, so don’t freak out you will find plenty to eat. Just be adventurous and careful if you have a fish allergy poor poor Mike:( 

#2 It’s going to be hot and you’re going to sweat and there are no napkins or hand towels!! The two best things you should try to find on day one: 1. Those awesome little hand towels everyone carries around to wipe the sweat off their face. 2. The little plastic fans they hand out as advertisements. 

#3 Not too brag but people thought my Japanese was great when we first arrived but I didn’t practice much more Japanese before we left than the wonderful lesson our trip mother Masami provided ahead of time. I just smiled big and tried my best to be brave. In Tokyo they are very comfortable with Gaijin and they will go out of their way to help you especially if you toss out a few of these words with as much flare as possible (you rock Wasser!)

Summimasen - Excuse Me (best 1st word in every language)

Arrigato Gosai Masu - Thank you (go for it everyone in Japan seems to love saying it)

Kawaii - Cute/Pretty

Sugoi - Great

Oiishii - Yummy

Kampai - Cheers

The Japanese seem to love the opportunity to learn English from people with authentic accents so throw in a bunch of English too and you’ll be making a lot of friends.

Other than that try to see as much as you can and stay as long as you can but do your work ahead of time!!! 

Gambatte! - Dave C