Category Archives: City Life

City Life, City Theme Activities, Mito City

A Day of Fun and Learning in Mito City

Radish Flower Art

Today, World Campus – Japan members along with the Mito City LOC, host families, and members of the community in the Furesia Center in Mito City enjoyed a day of fun and learning. “Furesia” is a combination of the Japanese characters for ‘interaction’ and ‘happiness’, and today’s activities matched that sentiment. The morning started with a presentation on the art of flower making using carved and peeled radishes. Three gentlemen from the Committee for the Preservation of Radish Flower Making demonstrated their skills by making three different flowers for everyone to see. Radish Flower Making is a Japanese tradition going back 150 years, and it was wonderful to see this beautiful art and also to know that this committee is working hard to keep the tradition alive in Japan.

Fukiya

Afterwards, WCI members got together with host families and community members to learn and participate in Japanese style arts and sports, including pottery, washie, fukiya and shodou. All of our sensei’s were masters of their craft and very helpful to us all. We had a lot of fun while learning so much about Japanese culture, and spending time with the community. The day ended with a fantastic demonstration of Japanese drum dancing, and we even were able to wear costumes and participate in the dance! WCI then thanked the Furesia Center and all the participants by performing a medley of songs. All the WCI members hope that through these songs, we were able to convey our appreciation for such a wonderful day. Thank you to everyone!!

(Meghan Kutz, U.S.A.)

City Life, Mito City

Prepping for Arigato Event!

Arigato Evento Rehearsal


Arigato Event Practice

After arriving in Mito for just a couple of days, it is time to prepare for the Arigato Evento! Today, in addition to learning the entire rundown of the event, both new and old members endured an intense rehearsal.

Raymon Cheng (USA) said, “With no experience in any dancing or singing, the practice was a bit challenging. But I feel at the end, it is going to be well worth it. The Arigato Evento is going to be exciting and beautiful and I can’t wait.” 🙂

City Life, Mito City

We’re in Mito City!

Introduction of New Members


Introduction to Mito City

Now WCI participants have started the 2nd program of WCI for this summer in Mito city, which has many beautiful parks and special historical backgrounds. In the morning, they had an introduction of Mito city with the members of the local organizing committee and after lunch, a guest speaker taught about some history and famous people of Mito city such as Mitsukuni Mito. Then they went to Kairakuen and Koudoukan where they enjoyed the great mix of traditional housings and beautiful gardens. WCI members are getting excited to learn more about Mito city!!

City Life, Tama City

Summer 2009 Arigato Evento in Tama!

Tama Arigato Evento

Program One ended perfectly with a superb Arigato Evento! Attended by Tama VIPs, host families, and the local organizing committee, the event connected each person that has touched us during our short stay in Tama and celebrated all the happy memories we have created. When saying good-bye to eight of our members (David from Austria, Hasiyna from USA, Yulin from Taiwan, Matt from Canada, Xury and Kun from China, Rie from Japan, and Torsten from Denmark), we could not help but feel sadness as the program comes to an end for several members. In just a couple of weeks, our group built strong relationships and felt unity.

Now, although we will be separated from the close friends, we have also gained new ‘kizuna’. Let’s persist with such energy as the summer tour continues!