The Science Immersion Camp, hosted by Science Frontier High School (SFHS), was a great event that offered students from Saint Maur first-hand experience in the “Japanese way” of education.
I have been attending an international school all my life. Every day I see Japanese school students with identical uniforms, socks, hats, bags, and even umbrellas! I have often wondered what it would be like to study in a Japanese school. This immersion camp was a great opportunity to experience a Japanese school for a few days.
I met a lot of students and faculty members, and made many new friends. Communication was not a problem — we were often able to communicate simply by using eye contact.
Because my job was to provide an English-friendly environment in the school, I spoke only in English to the Japanese students. At first I was worried because I thought the Japanese students wouldn’t understand me, but I was surprised when I realized their knowledge of English was far greater than what most people would expect. The only problem was that they felt overwhelmingly shy when they had to speak in English.
It only took me a few hours to feel comfortable and like I belonged at SFHS. I am a shy person by nature, and I usually don’t initiate conversations, but the Japanese students made me feel like I was truly accepted in their school community.
When we focused on science experiments, I was impressed by how well the students understood what the teachers were saying. Although the topics were fairly basic, the pace was a bit fast; however, it didn’t appear to be a problem for most of the Japanese students. The teachers from Todai (Tokyo University) managed to create an exciting learning experience for all of us.
Overall, the Science Immersion Camp provided me with a deeper understanding of Japanese schools. I realize now that to an “outsider,”
Japanese schools may seem sterile and conservative, but once you get to know the school as an “insider,” you will experience and enjoy the amazing friendly energy that thrives within the school.
The immersion camp was a great success, and I hope it will continue for years to come!
