感想文（英語）
令和６年度姉妹都市訪問青少年生活体験団 感想文
令和6年7月23日から8月8日までの17日間、姉妹都市であるカンザスシティ市を7名の高校生団員と共に訪問し、素晴らしい経験をすることができました。
私は引率者として参加し、各団員が安全に過ごし、現地での滞在を楽しみながら学ぶことができるようサポートしました。当初、団員たちは緊張しており、特に英語での会話に戸惑いが見られました。しかし、米国中部日米協会のメンバーやホストファミリーの皆様が温かく迎えてくださったおかげで、自然とコミュニケーションが取れるようになりました。
また、中間パーティーでは、事前研修で準備していた折り紙・書道のアクティビティを披露し、参加者の皆様に喜んでいただくことができました。団員たちは、この発表のために準備を重ね、日本の文化を体験していただくおもてなしに成功したことに、大きなやりがいを感じている様子でした。各自が自分の役割を考え、行動することができており、この経験を通じて団員たちが大きく成長したことを実感し、非常に嬉しく思っています。
また、私自身にとっては、今回が初めてのアメリカ渡航でした。これまでアメリカ文化に多くの影響を受けてきた私にとって、ぜひ訪れたいと思っていた国であり、この機会に訪問できたことに感謝しています。何より、現地で交流したすべての方々が温かく接してくださり、私にとってかけがえのない思い出となりました。今回の経験を通じて、国境を越えて人と人が理解し合える素晴らしさを改めて学びました。
このような機会をいただけたのも、これまで多くの方々が両市の間で交流を深めるために尽力してくださったおかげだと感じています。今後はこの経験を活かし、さらに両市の関係を深める一助となるよう努めていきたいと思います。
English
From July 23 to August 8, 2024, I had the opportunity to visit our sister city, Kansas City, with seven high school students. This visit was an incredible experience for everyone involved. As the leader, my primary focus was on ensuring the safety and well-being of the students, while also helping them to fully enjoy and learn from their time in Kansas City. At the beginning of the trip, the students were understandably nervous, particularly when it came to communicating in English. However, the warm and welcoming nature of the members of the Heart of America Japan-America Society and the host families made a significant difference. Thanks to their kindness, the students gradually became more comfortable and were able to engage in meaningful communication with those around them.
One of the highlights of our visit was the Exchange Party, where the students had the chance to present activities that we had carefully prepared during our training sessions. These activities were designed to introduce Japanese culture to the participants, and they were met with great enthusiasm. The students took great pride in their successful presentations, and it was clear that they felt a strong sense of accomplishment. This experience not only allowed them to share their culture but also provided them with an opportunity to grow as individuals. They learned to think independently, take initiative, and work together as a team, which was incredibly rewarding to witness.
For me personally, this trip was my first time visiting the United States, a country that has long influenced me through its culture. I had always wanted to visit, and I am deeply grateful for the chance to do so. The kindness and warmth of everyone I encountered in Kansas City made this experience truly unforgettable. It was a powerful reminder of the importance and beauty of understanding and connecting with people across borders.
This visit would not have been possible without the efforts of so many people who have worked tirelessly to strengthen the relationship between our two cities. I am committed to using this experience to further contribute to the deepening of this relationship in the future.