Monthly Archives: July 2009

City Life, City Theme Activities, Guest Speakers, Omura City

Visit to Nagasaki Peace Museum

Nagasaki Bombing Survivor


Listening to Nagasaki Survivor

July 8th, 2009 was our first official group outing where we took the bus from Omura City to Nagasaki in order to visit the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.

I can tell you honestly that this wasn’t like any museum I’d been to before, but I guess that’s to be expected given the subject matter. Looking at all the collected objects, the various interactive displays and real pictures depicting victims only days after the explosion was a harrowing experience to say the least. I can say I was deeply affected after reading and listening to the accounts the museum had on display of survivors.

Though graphic at times, I would say the museum is a must visit for people from any country, because of the message of peace through remembering it offers. After the visit, we walked up to Peace Park, where we sat and discussed how the message each of us had just received might be passed on when we go back home. Having received first hand knowledge from an actual survivor earlier in the day and then having seen all that was on display at the museum, the consensus was that it was important to make an effort to spreading the message of peace while incorporating different countries views on history.

(Matt Clyde, Canada)

City Life, City Theme Activities, Omura City

Visiting the Mayor of Omura, Nagasaki

Meeting with Omura Mayor

I am from New York and never have met or seen any of the mayors in my city. They are almost untouchable to me and I only get to see and hear about them on television.

Today I was lucky enough to be able to meet and talk to the mayor of Omura, Nagasaki. His name is Takashi Matsumoto. As the group and I waited in the lobby to see him I was quite nervous because I thought he would be a very serious person.

To my surprise he was really friendly. Mayor Matsumoto was very curious about each of our countries. He wanted to know what we were proud of when it came to our home towns. To answer his question I told him about the diversity of people that can be found in New York. There is an opportunity to experience and learn about every culture in New York.

The superintendant of the elementary schools was also participating in our discussion. He told us how in the elementary schools the food for lunch gets delivered to the schools and is prepared for the students at the school. Most of our countries have similar systems except for Austria. David, who is a student from Austria told us that the elementary children have a 2 hour lunch. During that time they go home and eat lunch there. Then they return to school when they are finished. The mayor liked this idea for lunch.

Mayor Matsumoto also told us some history about Nagasaki, like how it was the only city open to foreigners during Japan’s isolation period. The time with him ended when the mayor gave us his business card. I feel very honored that I got to meet the Mayor of Omura city.

(Hasiyna Gibson, USA)

City Life, Omura City

We are in Omura!

Arrival in Omura


Meeting Japanese Host Family

After long hours of traveling, the participants have finally arrived in Omura, Nagasaki, Japan, the starting point of the first summer ’09 program!

In the afternoon the Omura LOC, named ‘Up with Omura’, welcomed the World Campus International members and matched them with their excited host families.

Despite their jet-lag, all the participants were eager to meet their very first Japanese host family!

Arao City, City Life, City Theme Activities, Community Partners, Our participants

Supporting Arao LOC at Charity Bazaar

Adriana at Arao Charity Bazaar
Arao City Mall WCI Charity Bazaar


Gaby with Arao LOC

Today, World Campus International staff members along with the purple-adorned Arao LOC (local organizing committee) participated in the Charity Bazaar at the Arao City Mall. As a group of gaijins (foreigners in Japanese), we attracted much attention to our booth! There were hand-crafted goodies galore, including scarves, tissue boxes, and flower arrangements, all of which were donated by the generous LOC. We also took this opportunity to promote and share about World Campus – Japan with the local community of Arao! Funds raised by the event will go towards helping host future participants.