RCA Goes To Japan

June 28, 2009 – RCA’s Exploration of the East 

Konichiwa!  Ron Clark Academy's 7th grade class recently returned from Japan where they had a life-changing experience!  It was a trip that was full of shockers:  "We love raw eel!"  "That octopus ball was delicious," and...  "Why don't we have bidet toilets in America?" It was a trip that was rewarding, educational, and unforgettable on numerous levels.   

After a year of Japanese classes, the students were finally able to try out their language skills in the heart of Tokyo.  Upon landing, they journeyed to the center of Harajuku to witness the hottest fashions and to sample authentic Japanese cuisine.   The chaperones were shocked to see how excited the students were to try sashimi (raw fish). They absolutely loved sitting in a sushi house while collecting various samples off of the moving carousels.    

While in Tokyo, the students visited Buddhist and Shinto shrines where they learned more about the religious culture of Japan.  They also visited the Emperor's palace and attended a dolphin show where they sat on the front row and were splashed from head to toe!  Afterward each child was allowed to pet the dolphins up close. 

From there, the students traveled by bullet train to the old capital, Kyoto, where they visited the Golden Pavilion and an ancient palace that was first owned by the Tokugawa family.  The hotel in Kyoto, like the accommodations on every part of the trip, was exquisite, thanks to the generosity of Panasonic.    

The next morning the students arrived in Wakayama where they met their pen pals they had been corresponding with for the past year. During the first meeting they were a bit hesitant, but within moments the students were laughing and sharing and getting along beautifully.   The Japanese students greeted us at a school-wide assembly where they performed a song and dance for us.  Afterward, the RCA kids put on a show!  They sang, conducted a step show, and presented a presentation on the American culture.   

In the afternoon, each child went home with his/her pen pal to begin a 3 day home-stay.  Students shot off fireworks, rode bicycles throughout the city and tried traditional Japanese food.  They soon became used to taking off their shoes before entering and bowing (instead of their usual hugging) as the initial greeting.  After washing thoroughly in the "shower," the students then each had to submerge themselves into an extremely hot bath where they soaked for almost an hour before bed - a traditional Japanese custom. 

The entire process of staying in the homes was a unique experience because it is very uncommon for Americans to visit Japanese homes, much less stay in them.  While our students were full of anxiety, the experience turned out to be their favorite part of the trip.  They bonded with the families, made great friends with their pen pals and some of them even called the mother of the home their "Japanese mom."   Ajee Jenkins said, "I stayed up all night talking with my pen pal in her room. She didn't speak much English, but we still laughed and shared for hours." 

In most Japanese homes, everyone sleeps on a tatami mat that is placed on the floor.  While half of the students experienced that style, the others found themselves in more traditional style beds.  Upon waking up, many students found that they had to take a train, a bus and then walk over a mile to reach the school.  Everyone showed up on time and spent the day in academic classes.  At 3:30 p.m., music started to play and everyone rush to collect brooms, rags, and cleaning utensils.  Each person in the entire school had an assigned job, and for 15 minutes everyone cleaned the floors, windows, walls and bathrooms.  At the end of the 15 minutes, the school was even more spotless than it had been before.  We never saw a custodian the entire time at the school, and it was obvious that the students were able to take care of most of the work themselves. 

After school the students participated in soft tennis, badminton, soccer, basketball, and table tennis before heading home to change for the big finale, a party with all of the families. When we first told the Japanese school representatives that we wanted to conduct a party, they were very unsure of what we meant.  They said that the school students and families never met together for any reason.  We asked them to trust us, and they did.  When all of the parents arrived, it was obvious they were unsure of what to expect, but once the music started our students came to life.  They truly danced with so much joy and spirit that it was infectious.  Before moments passed, they had journeyed throughout the crowd, grabbing mothers, fathers and children and taking them to the dance floor.  The place transformed into a room where everyone was dancing with freedom, energy and laughter. There were smiles everywhere, and it was a beautiful meeting of two very different cultures. 

As part of the sharing of cultures, our students taught the Japanese students how to do a step show.  We were all expecting it to be a bit uncomfortable, but the Japanese students really applied themselves and when it came time to put on a show, they brought down the house! Everyone cheered as they rocked each step with precision, intensity and enthusiasm. It was priceless! 

The following day, as the students wiped away tears, we left Wakayama and headed for Hiroshima.  The students toured Peace Park and stood on the actual spot where the world's first Atomic Bomb was dropped.  There were many more tears that day, as the students observed the effects of the bomb throughout the Peace Park Museum. 

Our hotel in Hiroshima was magnificent.  We were treated like kings and queens wherever we went, and the Panasonic representatives that traveled with us, Matthew-san and Shimoda-san, were the most genuine and kind individuals you can imagine.  They made sure the RCA students were treated to a first-class trip, and we are beyond grateful for their kindness.  As part of the trip to Japan, we visited the Panasonic learning center where the students were able to see the educational tools of the future.  It was shocking, fun and eye-opening. Everyone loved that experience as well as every experience Panasonic made possible for us.  What that everyone involved with the company, including our Advisory Board member, Jeff Anderson, for making all of the connections possible.  We will hold our Japanese experiences with us close forever.  It truly touched our hearts, our minds, and the way we view the world.