Hello to all the upcoming participants and community members taking part in the June 23 – August 11, 2008 tour! As you read this, I’m sitting here relaxing in the grass in front of my rural northern California home. With only a couple of weeks until the tour starts, I am very excited to be back in action in Japan, and taking part in all the wonderful activities planned for this next tour.

As a World Campus — Japan participant alumnus from the Summer 2007 tour, I’m very excited to return to our partner cities, especially to see friends and families that I met last year. To be able to return to the country of Japan is an exciting thought, but for me, what I look forward to the most at the start of my third tour with World Campus International, is to get to know the food, language and culture even better.

At times I wonder to myself what aspect of the journey is the most fulfilling, but all I can say to that is that if you want to know, you will have to wait and experience it all for yourself and decide. See you there!

(Cody Permenter – Production Coordinator in the June – Aug. 08 Road Team)

So here I am, once again there are only a few weeks left before I’m in Japan. While I’m packing my bags, there are a lot of thoughts running through my mind.

I’ll be moving in with a family I’ve never met before, hanging out with complete strangers and not speak Norwegian for at least two months.

Why is it that this is so appealing?

To me, it’s definitely the opportunity to learn more about all these people. It is true, they all start out as strangers, but it does not take long before they’re all family. I get to learn so much about my host familyʼs views on many things. Political issues being different in Japan is a given, but one can assume at least the food would be basically the same. But sometimes, they are a lot more different than anything else. The food is still very new to me. And half the time, even though I have no clue what I’m eating, it’s just so good. Sometimes it turns out to be made from something we regularly throw away in Norway. (like a dressing; made from fish skin)

And of course, I look forward to meeting the participants and staff as well. The learning opportunities are almost infinite. It’s a great feeling as I close my bag, packing much less than last time. When I come home, there will not only be memories and knowledge with me, but also souvenirs and clothes from this awesome culture. I can not wait!

(Henning Rodtwitt – Production Assistant in the June – Aug. 08 Road Team)

It has been less than one month since I left Japan, yet I cannot wait to return for the World Campus International (WCI) summer tour as a staff assistant. My experience as a participant during the spring program was truly rewarding and memorable. Intellectual exchange with peoples from extremely different backgrounds in the land of the rising sun was such a unique experience. The opportunities for such diverse cultural learning and sharing were really valuable to me.

Of course, I look forward to more opportunities for profound international exchanges, but on more selfish level I cannot wait to taste the delicious Japanese cuisine again. Just thinking about the fresh sushi has me drooling. Scrumptious foods, enriching discussions, and lasting friendships awaits us all in Japan!

(Guang Yeung – Public Relations Assistant in the June – Aug. 08 Road Team)