Westarted from Lucknow on the 3rd of October on a very happy journey to a land unknown and to meet strangers.
The communication till then had been only through emails or whatsapp messages. We knew something about our hosts,
butthey were still an enigma for us. However, once we exited the arrival alley, we were met by a large group,
who seemed more like long lost friends.
Each delegate child was taken over with ease, by the respective host family. Next day a welcome party was hosted by the Host
families and the TSIE members. A formal welcome was given to each delegate by the host family through a speech. Good vibes and good
food boosted our confidence. On Sunday 6th October the entire group of hosts and delegates visited the Legoland at Nagoya. All the children enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
From Monday 7th October we started attending the school regularly. Our schedule for each day was very
well planned. Each delegate walked to school along with the host friend. The Principal and the Vice-Principal
of the school greeted us on the road each day, where they were stationed to guide the students inside the school safely.
We attended Calligraphy, dance and games classes along with the students of different grades. Ms Poonam and I had to take
class lessons right from Grade 1 - 6. We took up simple English language games, energizers and cooperative games in the classes.
We paid a courtesy visit to the City Hall on 8th October, to meet the Mayor, where our students presented
Yoga and sang a song. The delegation had an interesting interaction with the Mayor. We visited 2 other
schools in Tokoname during our stay, namely Nishiura Elementary School and Onizaki Minami Elementary School.
We participated in a special assembly in both schools and presented our cultural show.
The delegation visited Tokoname High School on 2 occasions for pottery making classes. Each delegate made 2 plates
on the firstday, which was left behind for baking. The next week during our pottery making session we had to paint
our plates.
On Sunday 13th October, we participated in the famous Dashi Festival, where the hosts and the delegates pulled the
ceremonial float. In the evening the host families celebrated Ms Darshee and Master Yashashwa's birthday in an Indian restaurant.
During the host family days, delegates enjoyed visiting various interesting spots in and around Tokoname as well as shopping at Malls.
On Sunday 20th October, the host families organized a Farewell party. A tearful farewell was given by each host to their guest.
Members of TSIE and Team leader of the delegation addressed the gathering thanking each other for a successful exchange program.
We were delighted to receive the plates that we had made at Tokoname High School.
We left Tokoname on 22nd with a heavy heart. Each family ensured that our stay with them becomes as
memorable as possible. After overcoming the initial hitch of cultural differences and adjusting with the
food habits each delegate enjoyed learning new things and making new discoveries about life in Japan.
TSIE in Tokoname is very organized due to the active participation of the mothers of the students in
each Primary School. They work hand in hand with the school in planning and executing every activity.
On my first day Home Visit where one of my girl delegates was staying, I found the atmosphere of the family
a little uncomfortable and noticed the child's feeling of insecurity. As soon as I made my concerns
clear to the coordinators of this program, a solution was found. Another family volunteered to host
this delegate and the rest of the stay was comfortable for her.
We thank our school, City Montessori School, forgiving us this opportunity to experience an amazing
culture and to understand as well appreciate our similarities and differences. Our children understood how
self-discipline and self reliance makes life easy.