Amazing weekend

This labor day weekend was amazing experience for me... I never forget this memory forever...

Actually my weekend started from Friday. Around noon, I left for Lake McQueeney(about three hours from Houston) with Tomoe and her host family. Her host family's lake house was fantastic. It was by the river, they had own big boat, and their house was only three yeas old!!!

I spent Three nights in that lake house. During my weekend I swam in the river, went to San Antonio(it is historical city for Texas), went toobing, visited Gruene Hall(it is the oldest continually running dance hall in Texas), fought with Chicken- Fried-Steak, lost by it... Tomoe's host family took me to many places with explanations.

I didn't understand why they were sooooooo kind to me because I was kind of the strangers for them. But they treated me like one of their families!!! They didn't only pay for me. They always watched my eyes, my behavior, listened to my talk carefully and asked my feelings for me to be easy going. That's why I never felt loneliness, alienation, and something like that.

I'm really glad to spend time with you. Thank you so much for Romano Family!!!!!


By So

Last Day...

It is the last day in Texas today.

I met many people who have a warm personality. Especially, my host mother, Betty. When I came to Texas the first time, I was homesick. That's because I couldn't get used to American food and it is too fast for me to understand what Americans were saying. At that time, Betty was worried about me. She said to me, "You can speak Japanese if you can't understand" We wouldn't speak Japanese in front of Betty. But she allowed us to speak Japanese. And she always smiles. Her smile gave me power.

One day, we said to her, "I'm sorry you do many things for us." she replayed, "That's OK!! If you were in that situation like me, do many things for others this will make this world peace and others smile." I think that's true. It is important for us to have kindness for others. In Japan, we are busy every day. So, we often can't pay attention to others. It is NOT good. When I come back to Japan, I will practice what Betty told me in Texas.

I could understand one simple thing by coming to Texas. I really like Texas as Texan people are very kind, the food is very good. However, I REALLY REALLY love Japan. I now understand I must go back and grow up in Japan.

Texas and the United States is my second country. I'll never forget the memories of this summer. And I'll be back here someday!! Finally, I sincerely appreciate all people who cooperated with this internship. Thank you for your cooperation.

by

Tom

U for University

Most modern day technology, experiments, research are done by universities in the United States. I know the culture of universities is from Europe and became world standard. But nowadays pioneers of this culture are definitely from this country.
I went to Rice University last Monday. It was a great place. University property was not so big, though it had wide spaces so that students could relax. The library was not so big either, yet it preserved many up to date references and science journals.
In 2012, Rice University is going to be 100 years old. Being in the campus made me feel like I had gone back in time a hundred years ago. But more than that, the very reason why this university is here has inspired me. William Marsh Rice, who was a successful businessman in Texas tried to build a free-tuition institution in Houston. And he devoted all his assets to start the school. In fact, many Americans from that era knew the importance of education, particularly university education and they founded many universities which became great schools.

by

Och

Visiting Rice University

Little bit about our work

Office is the place we spend our time almost every day. That is the place where we meet many volunteers from many different generations and backgrounds. It is more encouraging that we see all these people are willing to help their favorite candidate.

To me, politics is much related to trust and hope. Who is trustful and able to answer to the peoples hope can be a good politician. So I thought, all the volunteers are spending their time to support a person they can trust.

Everyday work is not so hard but not so easy either. Because we are working in a very sensitive field, we have to be careful. Mistakes can lead to failure. But we are enjoying every moment in the office.

Our office is placed in very busy area of the city. There are many office buildings, grocery stores and restaurants. Every afternoon we try to experience different kinds of foods. It's so interesting to eat in various restaurants. Everyday we have a new experience and new taste.

Och

Busy week

This week was the busiest week of my houston life.

We met a famous politician at the office, went to Minute Maid stadium to
watch baseball game, discovery green (park) to join a ZUMBA event, art
museum, NASA, and the beach!! Wow!

Of course, our work at the office is going well, too. We have worked so hard!

We finished writing addresses and closing more than 8000 envelops!! We checked over 6000

pieces of data on the computer database!
The end of my summer in houston will come too soon!!

Aya

Och's third week

This is the third week of my internship. Since I came here in Texas, Houston became my third home and I'm getting used to this new culture.

On August 4th, the day I came here, my head was full of excitements and worries. Even how to buy a coke from vending machine was an issue for me. But, everything starts from curiousness, so I'm learning about all of them now.

I'm living in the Mathesons' house as a house guest. I was surprised by their kindness and hospitality. We talk about many kinds of interesting subjects at the dining table. In fact, having dinner with an American family was the greatest experience for me. Dinner is a very special time to them.

With my host family, I'm spending so many happy times together. They take me to show the city and meet relatives all the time. Last weekend we went to San Antonio for a two day trip. It was a wonderful city. Cultural heritage was all over the city, in it's buildings also in it's people. Even though it's in the same state as Houston, I felt a unique difference as if I was in a totally different country. How wonderful is to live in a multicultural country like United States.


Last night was the baseball night. All the students from Japan, went to the Houston Astros game. I don't know much about baseball, but it was a great game. Of course the Astros won the match. "Don't mess with Texas!"

I didn't write about my job this time. Maybe next time!

By

Och

Politics & Baseball

Today, we experienced many things!

In the morning at 11 am, an American politician came to the office!! He smiled kindly and was so friendly. We took a picture with him. My first impression of him was that he was like a grandfather. Now, I can understand why I felt so. He recruits volunteers and meets his supporters and people in his constituency in person. He cherishes communicating with people face to face. I felt like I had met him before. In contrast, other candidates broadcast their message on TV commercials to get a vote. TV commercials do have a big impact however, If I were a voter, I would like a person who communicates face to face with the people.

Now I realize that different people have different values and ways of thinking about politics. In my opinion, a person for the job is the person who cherishes people's heart, not power or profit. We have many answers to help something. But I think it is important to choose our answers by looking into our heart. For this, humanity is necessary.

After working, we went to a baseball stadium. We watched the Astoros VS N.Y. Metz. It was exciting for us. Vendors were working around the stadium. One was selling and singing. Another was telling jokes. I've never seen that situation in Japan! Since I came to America, I was surprised that each person has their own identity. And they are proud of their identities. This is one reason why various racial and cultural groups can live in America together. Japan should follow America on that point.

We have watched many things in America. But the treasure of America is not baseball or the Statue of Liberty, BUT people living in America. Americans make America. Sarah, again, thank you very much. You took us to many places.

by

Tom

Hard day at the office!

Everyone is working so hard! But check out the view! Wow! What an office!

The weekend: opera, shopping and more!

Sunday is a day off!! I was very happy. This morning, I could stay in bed later than usual. I got up at 10 and I went into the living room. Tomoe was already there, so we went to church to listen to some opera. Richard, my host family's son (above), is a famous opera singer over the world. We played at his house (in his spa and pool) after work and had dinner with his family. So, he invited us to listen to his opera. At the moment we listened to his voice, we were drawn into his world. His voice is amazing!! He is a true professional. I almost cried. After singing, everyone was clapping and he had a standing ovation!

After that, we had lunch. I ate a hamburger. It was a true American one. It was so big I couldn’t bite it. I needed a knife and fork. Then, we went to the Galleria. It is a big shopping mall like lake town in Koshigaya. There are many kinds of stores. In Japan, a shopping mall usually has stores that have goods about the same price stores but in the Galleria there are expensive and cheap stores mixed together. People of different classes live in Houston. In one part of town there are very wealthy people, but nearby there is an area where low income people live in another place. Both of them are almost in the same area downtown. I guess that is what causes the downtown to have many different stores. There are also many Chinese people, too. There is a big Asian supermarket near my house.

The Galleria Shopping Center (even has an ice-rink)

11 days have passed since we got to America. Many many people have helped us. I really appreciate their kindnesses. Especially, Sarah has worked hard for us. She took us to many places by car but she made a big mistake in the car - don't forget it’s the right side of the road in America, Sarah!! ha ha! At any rate, I am enjoying Texas life!!

The roads in Houston are crazy!

Tom

Sleepy...

I am really enjoying my Texas life My host mother has taken us to many places and people in Texas are very kind and friendly. Everyone always gives me a smile.

However, we are getting bored with our work Och got sleepy today I also got sleepy yesterday But we must work hardDo my best The working world is tough ;)

Tom

Pineapple Ramen?!?

A week and few days have already passed since I started a new life in Houston.

I have already missed Japanese food. Actually, I ate miso-ramen last

week. However, there was a big difference between that and miso-ramen in Japan.

Pineapple ramen was much better than miso-ramen! Can you believe it?

By the way, yesterday I saw T.I. at the biggest shopping center in

Houston (picture above). To be honest, I don’t really know who he is but...I was happy to see a celebrity in America! I love my life in Houston!

Aya

Busy, busy, busy!

This is our office!

This is a picture of Discovery Green, Texas

Well, we have been here over a week and it's been BUSY! We have been having so much fun working and meeting people we had no time to write. We are sorry! But we promise to write more every day from now on! We are working from 9-5 in the office. We are doing office tasks like filing, stuffing envelopes, and data input. We are getting used to working on the computers. It's all English!! The people in the office are very friendly and we can talk to them about many things, life in Japan, American education, politics and much more. We are learning a lot! We use English everyday in work, we are typing in English and writing envelopes in English. We are reading English handwriting, but it's difficult to read!!

Last week, we had two pool welcome parties, a BBQ, and some of us visited museums after work. We also had an 'ice-cream social' networking event where we could talk to many people. This was held at Discovery Green (picture above).

Where's Texas?

Our Pre-departure Orientation was conducted by Mr. Nathan DeWitt of Intec Japan, on July 10th, 2010 at Toyo Gakuen University, Tokyo.

	ネイザン・デウィット （Nathan L. DeWitt） インテック･ジャパン　ICTトレーナー。 インテック・ジャパン専任講師。 米国のオハイオ大学卒（数学専攻）。米国フェニックス大学　国際経営学修士（MMI)

Pre-Departure Orientation Schedule:

Early afternoon - Skype with Texas Office

15:00 Introduction and Icebreaking (Birchley)

16:00 Introduction to US Politics (McCasland)

17:00 Instructor introduction and purpose of training (Dewitt)

17:05 Philosophy of training (‘do’s and don’ts’ + conceptual ‘maps’ of communication = deeper understanding)

17:10 Importance of Objectivity & Culture

17:20 Map 1: Education & Business

17:35 Reason for these complaints are Golf & Rugby tendencies in discussions, meetings and presentations

17:40 Self Analysis

17:50 BREAK

18:00 Map 2: Message Transfer (Low Context / High Context)

18:30 Potential for loss of time and money (three scenarios)

18:40 Map 3: Illusion of Equality w/self-analysis

19:00 Interruptions and assertiveness activities

19:20 Final comments and advice

19:25 Homework: Naruhodo point, Nattokushitenai point, Tsukaesou point (E-mail report form or via SKYPE)

Welcome

This blog will be used to share the experiences of our six students traveling from Japan to the USA this summer for a business internship in Houston, Texas. Follow them as they embark upon this exciting adventure. Share your thoughts and opinions, read their musings, and let's make this a truly inspiring experience for these students!