Konnichiwa from Japan!

My name is Atsushi Nashimoto from Japan. I am very happy to be a member of the spring 2009 team with you all.

I come from Ibaraki prefecture, two hours away from Tokyo. Studying in the international communication at college as well as postgraduate school at Tokyo, I joined in Up with People as a road staff and traveled around the world. Then, as a member of the Japan Overseas Corporation Volunteers, a Japanese version of Peace Corps, I worked in Papua New Guinea where people call “the land of unexpected” for two years as a community development officer. I have just returned from PNG in this January and am going to jump into the spring 2009 team. I am very excited to see you all next month.

See you there!

If you are interested in my life in Papua New Guinea, please visit the following website. You may download monthly PNG news letter both in Japanese and English with amazing pictures. Just go to the bottom of the webpage and you will find icons “PNG NEWS”. Please enjoy reading!

http://www.ia-ibaraki.or.jp/kokusai/member/index.html

(Atsushi Nashimoto – External Relations Coordinator/Interpreter in the March – April 09 Road Team)

Hey guys,

My name is Jay Kinsel but most people call me Jake. I currently live in Denver Colorado but I am from the great state of Texas. It’s always hard to summarize my life in one paragraph but I’ll do my best.

I am currently a teacher in Colorado but I’m opening an indoor soccer facility here within the next year. I am a former Up with People cast and staff member from 1994 to 2000. I have a Fine Arts degree in Theatre. My theatre background defines me and how I watch the world. I am always amazed at the infinite ways a single idea can be communicated. I love to watch the audience in a movie theatre as they process what they see into whatever emotions the images evoke.

I have an extreme passion for soccer. I play and coach every chance I get.

Throughout my travels, I have found soccer to be a great ice breaker. It seems to be a language unto itself.

I was lucky enough to go to an international high school in the states and I found myself drawn to the Japanese culture and people. I find the history fascinating and I look forward to experiencing some of the traditions that history has developed. As I write this short piece, I notice that I am even more excited than I can imagine to be a part of World Campus International. I can’t wait to see what stories our trip will tell. I’ll see you all in March!!

(Jay Kinsel – Production in the March – April 09 Road Team)