Exchange Program

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign(UIUC)
―　HIT Summer Program 2002

Sightseeing in Hiroshima city Get-together with people from Hatsukaichi Community Overnight stay at Yachiyo

eJune,15th,2002　Sightseeing in Hiroshima city
Exchange students from UIUC (UIUC students) went sightseeing to the downtown of Hiroshima city with HIT volunteer students (HIT students). The weather was very nice. They visited Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima castle and Shukkei-n , and had Okonomiyaki- Hiroshima’s local specialty for lunch.

Hiroshima castle		 【Impression of an UIUC student】

It is very beautiful building. It felt so good  when I was there at the top, seeing all the old and new buildings at once. I didn't really realize that Hiroshima was bombed before.

【What's "Okonomiyaki"？】
Okonomiyaki is a savory crepe made with diced seafood, meat and vegetables, etc. " Okonomiyaki" literally means "cook what you like", customers get to choose their own favorite ingredients.
At Okonomiyaki restaurant Japanese garden

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eJune,25th,2002　　Get-together with people from Hatsukaichi Community
UIUC students had a symposium with people from Hatsukaihi Community at Sakata community center. The group organized a talk session with a lady, whose mother survived the atomic bomb. She told the story of her life, explaining how radiation affected not only her mother but also herself. UIUC students shared opinions about the atomic bomb, war and peace. After the session, UIUC students enjoyed a tea party with volunteers, who are fluent in English.
【Impressions of UIUC students】
I used to vaguely think that what happened in Hiroshima about 60 years ago was just a part of history. But through the symposium, I became aware of the consequences associated with the atomic bomb.
I thought to myself, "what if I were her?".I was relieved to see that she had been fine untill now.



I knew a little about Hiroshima since I had studied about it at school before. Through a story of her life, I found that the atomic bomb had destroyed not only materials and people, but also their minds. Her courage to tell her painful experience gave me strengthe to overome my problems.


Current Hiroshima is too beautiful to linger on the past.
I didn't know how seriously the atomic bomb had influenced Japanese people. I found that I really don't know about the atomic bomb, after visiting the atomic bomb museum. And it's so courageous of her to tell her painful experience, which touched me so much. It was such a precious experience to listen to her.

eJune,21st,2002　　Overnight stay at Yachiyo

UIUC students stayed at Yachiyo school house with HIT students for 2 days. Yachiyo school house is located about 1 hour away from Hiroshima city. It has an abundance of nature. UIUC students enjoyed various activities such as cycling and Somen nagashi.
【Impressions of UIUC students】
It was fun and the scenery of Yachiyo was so beautiful. I felt so comfortable, taking a breath of nice fresh air. Our picture of " Somen nagashi" tells you what it is like.

【What's "Somen nagashi"?】
Somen are Japanese noodles made of wheat and flour, which are very thin and white. At Somen nagashi, Somen are put in water flowing along a long bamboo rod ,from which diners catch the noodles with their chopsticks and dip them in a cool broth before eating them.
(Somen Nagashi)

I was amazed with the beautiful Japanese rural scenery. On the first night, we had a barbeque and spoke with HIT students. It was a great chance to practice our Japanese. Next day, we went cycling around the lake. I really enjoyed it.

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