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Student Voices in Action! (#7)

Morning Program ☀️

　We began the day with an early morning drive to the University of British Columbia (UBC), traveling together through thick fog and arriving safely. A few students needed a slower, gentler start to the morning, and the group adjusted smoothly to ensure everyone felt comfortable and supported. The entire group remains together and continues to settle in well.

　The morning program featured an engaging discussion session with UBC students, beginning with self-introductions and a lively exchange of personal interests and future goals. This quickly turned into a fun and expressive cultural moment as students learned new slang (from playful phrases like “Konnichiwa-gwaan” to Hindi expressions), shared favorite videos and online trends, and even tried out modeling style poses filling the room with laughter and good vibes.

　The discussion then moved into two key topics: casual clothing vs. school uniforms and the importance of communication skills. Students shared thoughtful opinions on how communication helps people express ideas, build relationships, and connect across cultures. One student reflected, “I want to return to Canada one day, so I will work hard on my English,” showing strong motivation and clear purpose.

　A sweet highlight of the session came when several students introduced “Radio Taiso,” a traditional Japanese warm-up exercise. The UBC students were intrigued, creating a joyful moment filled with movement and shared laughter.

　The session concluded with confident group presentations and a cheerful photo moment. Students left energized and inspired, looking ahead with excitement to their upcoming visit to Canada Star Secondary School (CSSS) and the next stop on our Day 3 adventure!

A Heartfelt Exchange! (#8)

　Our visit to CSSS began with a heartfelt welcome. Each student received a magnet souvenir featuring positive “You are…” messages such as “You are capable,” “You are strong,” and “You are worthy.” Students received these messages warmly and thoughtfully asked about their meanings, showing kind curiosity and care. After introductions, students were guided to a welcoming, fireside styled space where they took part in group cultural exchanges. Japanese students introduced important cultural activities to their Canadian peers, and the excitement in the room was wonderful to see as students laughed, danced, played, and connected well. Activities such as Nininbaori, Karuta, and Origami were especially popular.

　All groups participated so well, preparing and delivering short presentations with confidence. The atmosphere was lively and interactive.

　Following the cultural exchange, students enjoyed badminton and basketball in the gym, cheering each other on and building friendships through friendly competition. Later, everyone gathered for a presentation about school life and education at CSSS. 　Students openly shared comments like “I want to come to this school,” along with playful remarks about how relaxed and friendly the atmosphere felt. The day concluded with a group photo session and opportunities for students to exchange contact information, helping them stay connected and continue building their communication skills in English.

　To finish the day, we boarded the bus and reunited students with their host families. I believe they are ready for a fun and restful evening together. Their smiles remained strong as they left. I know they are looking forward to a fun filled day tomorrow with their host families!

Day Two: A Fresh Start and Full Stomachs! #4

The students started Day Two with a great breakfast together. Blueberry and chocolate chip muffins were very popular and quickly found new homes on many plates! With cereal, eggs, yogurt, fresh fruit and many other options also available, students fueled up well for the busy day ahead. With full bellies, we packed our bags and got ready to visit The University of British Columbia (UBC).

Learning With a View at UBC! #5

Our first big stop of the day was the UBC, one of Canada’s top universities. UBC is known for its beautiful campus, strong research programs, and focus on caring for the environment. It truly feels like a small city of its own! Students were in awe of the incredible views where the campus meets the ocean and mountains. Many stopped to take photos, admire the scenery, and enjoy the moment. Near the entrance, students also enjoyed a fun echo activity shouting together and hearing their voices bounce back. Laughter filled the area as everyone joined in, turning learning into a joyful experience. On campus, students also learned about biodiversity, sustainability, and ways universities work to protect nature.

From City Streets to New Homes! #6

After leaving UBC, we headed to Gastown and downtown Vancouver. Students enjoyed seeing the famous steam clock, walking through the area, and doing more souvenir shopping! With so many choices, excitement was high. Later, students traveled to Surrey for an orientation to prepare for meeting their host families. At first, everyone looked a little nervous but that feeling didn’t last long. As students introduced themselves, confidence grew and smiles appeared. Soon, conversations were flowing as students met the families, they will stay with for the next three (3) nights. As the day came to an end, it was clear that students were becoming more confident using English. We are looking forward to tomorrow’s activities, which promise to be a day of cultural exchange and real life use of English!

Bon Voyage! We Are Off to Vancouver, Canada! (#1)

“This is my first time flying, so I am nervous but excited!”
Many students shared these feelings as they waved goodbye to　their teachers and parents with smiles and looked ahead to the long journey.
On the bus, the nervous excitement continued as we traveled to Itami Airport for our afternoon flight to Narita Airport, and the connection went smoothly. Everyone enjoyed the time together and there were many smiles, as they engaged all the different foods available in the airport food courts. One student, who could not join us, took part by smartphone and joined our group selfie, making the moment even more special. What a great start to what is sure to be an incredible trip.

There Will Be Turbulence! (#2) 😆

The long flight finally begins! Students were excited, but they also felt a little tired as this was the longest flight they had ever taken. As we crossed the Pacific Ocean, the plane began to shake and the cabin was suddenly filled with surprised screams! The flight attendants calmly explained that turbulence is normal part of flying, but the bumpy ride still brought lots of loud reactions and laughter from the students. After a while, the plane became smooth again, and the students slowly relaxed, turning a scary moment into a funny and unforgettable memory for the students.    The students took advantage of the flight to get some much-needed sleep before our first very busy day.

We Arrived in Vancouver! Safe and Ready to Explore (#3)

Although we said good night to Japan in Tokyo, it was still Wednesday morning, January 14th, in Canada! After arriving, we started our first adventure right away.
1st Stop: Granville Island!

The food court and souvenir shops were a big hit with the students. Parents reading this may want to be ready for maple syrup and salmon seasonings coming home as souvenirs!         Students could also try many authentic Canadian dishes such as clam chowders and pot pies.

2nd Stop: The beautiful Stanley Park!

It is a large forest park with scenery that looks straight out of a movie. Students had fun posing for photos and admiring the amazing views. However, jet lag is starting to set in. On our way to dinner, excitement slowly turned into tired smiles as everyone recharged. During dinner, one more classmate who could not join us took part by phone, which made it feel as if the whole group was together. Although many students were clearly tired, their smiles remained, and everyone enjoyed the delicious meal! Time to get some sleep, before another busy day!