Hey there!

I’m one of your friendly neighborhood counselors, Juuso Myller from Finland. I’m 23 and about to wrap up my Bachelor’s Degree in English and decided that what’d be a better way to celebrate than to join the WCJ-caravan for a second year as a counselor. I come from a small town of Joensuu – a rock’s-throw from the Russian border – where I’ve spent basically all my life, including my studies. Besides English I also study Japanese, Karelian and Teacher studies, so hopefully one day I’ll be teaching a next generation of WCJ-participants! I also like hiking, skiing, kendo and writing and reading.

The reason that I got interested in Japan actually began with reading. You know, the old story: I didn’t like manga and anime, got introduced to it, then hooked to the culture and POW, here I am, years later, going to Japan for the third time in my life, studying the language and practicing kendo. Even when I started my Japanese studies in Uni I didn’t believe I’d one day visit the country. I had never been more than 2000 km from my home. But everything changed, when Hiro Nishimura came to town. His presentation during one of our Japanese lectures got me interested and I participated in the program for the first time that summer, with no way out anymore.

You’ll be surprised to learn how amazing Japanese food is. Everything I’ve eaten has been delicious, or at least a unique experience. The onsens, Japanese hot spring baths, are the best way to relax that I know, and I come from a country that invented the sauna. Japanese martial arts, nature, religion, history, the whole country is just a fruit basket full of juicy awesomeness. And the best part is the host families. I’m still in contact with my host families from over the years and I’m looking forward to meeting them again next summer as well. You’re going to become part of their family also, as you’re going to become part of the big jolly family of World Campus International. Beware or you might get hooked as well 🙂

So, let’s have a blast, make lots of new friends and memories and expand our comfort zone to experience Japan more than you ever have.

Juuso Myller (Finland)

Hi!

My name is Jana, I’m 24 years old, live in the Netherlands and will be one the counselors for World Campus – Japan Program this summer!

I have a bachelor degree in Japanese Studies and finished a study in tourism earlier this year. I hope this combination will let me help others visit and enjoy Japan as much as I do. I love Japanese culture, media and food. Other than my interest for Japan, my hobbies include cooking, gaming, travelling, movies, etc.

I’ve been in Japan a couple of times now mostly for vacation, but I also spent some time in Tokyo for work. In 2015 I joined the second session of the World Campus -Japan program and enjoyed every moment of it. I loved meeting new people from all over the world, seeing life in Japanese homes and learning about the culture. I’m super excited to be there again this year!

Looking forward to meeting you all!
Jana de Bondt (The Netherlands)

Hey everyone!
My name is Jurrien Theunisz and I will be a program counselor for the World Campus – Japan Program 2017. As a program counselor I will be in charge of several fields during the program, including translations, logistics and promotion. But my main role in the program will be to guide you, support you and look over you, the participants joining the program. I am looking forward to meeting all of you during the program this summer and experiencing all wonders of Japan together.

A bit more about me:
I am from a southern province of the Netherlands and have lived there most of my life. After high school I decided to study Japanese studies at the Leiden University, hence the interest in Japan. During my studies at the Leiden University I also followed part of the bachelor on Chinese studies and had the chance to study abroad and do research in Japan for a year at the Tohoku University in the city of Sendai, Japan. Because of these interesting studies and the amazing year in Japan, in combination with all the summers I spent in Japan either participating in or working for the World Campus – Japan program, my interest in Asia and mainly Japan sparked greatly and I can say with certainty that I got to love Japan.

Currently I am studying computer science at TU Delft in the Netherlands; yes a relatively different path, but one that will most definitely bring me security and choices in the near future. I am hoping to combine these skills with my already acquired knowledge on Asia and work on cooperation projects for companies or countries. In a few years we will know if these dreams will come true, but for now, let’s enjoy the summer in Japan and learn a lot!

Jurrien Theunisz – The Netherlands