Just like my life changed 40-some years ago
Image by Traditional Arts Super Collage of Kyoto (TASK)
Tomorrow is a big day for me.
Two students from TASK are flying into Seatac Airport tomorrow. Sponsored by Five Senses Foundation, the nonprofit organization I founded, these students will experience eight days of cultural exchange. After three years of delay because of the pandemic, the program is finally coming true!
The program includes:
- Visits to campuses of major US corporates (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Starbucks)
- Cultural workshop at Seattle University
- Tours at Seattle Art Museum and Portland Japanese Garden
- Private house tours in Whidbey island
- Staying with a local American family rather than staying at a hotel.
The students get to visit places that normal tourists wouldn’t have an opportunity to visit. They get a glimpse of how Americans learn, work, and live firsthand.
What will these two young Japanese women grasp and pay attention to? What will they be surprised, impressed, or inspired by? What impact will this week give them?
I have no idea.
I had my SUV washed yesterday. This afternoon I will start cooking for the welcome dinner tomorrow. I will do my best to navigate them, drive them, and serve them this coming week.
Most likely I won’t be able to write an article in the coming week. My apologies in advance.
My previous posts describing how this program has evolved
Akemi, what will you prepare for the welcome dinner?
Andy
Indian!
This is a wonderful program. Great future reference for me because I like to do Restaurant Exchange program between the two countries, Japan and US (Seattle). My plan is the restaurant owner takes care of all staying expense in exchange and employees of a restaurant stay at owner’s or employees house. We show around restaurant related places of interest. All exchange cost for the trip, air fare, is to be probably half by an visitor and half by sending restaurant owner.
Our restaurant 84 Yesler plan to do A Night In Kyoto on March 28 and 29 based on first time experience of Japan culinary tour by our chef Christina Siegl to create her Northwest Contemporary Cuisine with the twist of her inspiration from Kyoto restaurants I introduced. If your students are interested in what we do, I always welcome to come and see what’s going on. It is Tuesday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 29 from 4 PM to 9 PM. Each night, we have about 30 guests all booked. I will give a short guided tour of the event.
Hi Takahashi-san,
Thank you for your comment. Restaurant Exhange Program… What a great idea!
I’m sorry I can’t make it on March 28 and 29. On 29th we planned a Kyotojin Club dinner with the students. On Wednesday we will drive all the way to Portland. I hope the event will be a great success!