2013 CCT in Vitnam

Broken the high wall in my mind

Tran Dieu Anh

Vietnam

After the trip organised by SOA, I have penetrated deeply the ancient Vietnamese idiom meaning “travel broadens mind”. This trip indeed brought me many exciting experiences as well as plentiful knowledge not only about my country (history, traditional culture or something like this) but also the value of the friendship.

Actually, this trip came to me by accident. In that time, I just thought that I would join in a travel through my country and it would be a chance for me to relax, hang out with friends…. I had no idea that the journey would have such a huge meaning for me. In the first night at Ninh Binh prefecture, I was worrying about my English because my first roommate was Thai person, Annie. I thought that there was something which was preventing me from talking openly to her as well as the others. I had just learnt some Thai words for greeting and that’s all, our story was just like this. But in the next seminar day, I understood thoroughly about communication between the alien cultures: There are many ways to communicate with the others without a word, such as body language, drawing, observing… and so on. On the other hand, the seminar let me know that when we are in an alien cultural, there is a lot of strange things but we need to try our best to adapt to the new one. I suddenly remembered my teacher said that: “In students’ life, it’s better if you do something which you are considering it ashamed”. Because of that, I talked confidently with my roommate and the remaining people. The result was over my expectation. It was like I have broken the high wall in my mind to connect with the others. After the seminar, I really had got some foreign new friends. In the remaining days, I had got more friends and more fun. Although travelling by bus was very tired, I think we still be cheerful. I found some interesting things like the Thai way and Japanese way to have meal and it was just different from Vietnamese a little bit. Of course, I still had to notice the others during the meal in order to not be rude and I realised that if I want to adapt to new environment, I have to observe zealously. It was a big fun for me.

The trip would be the most exciting if in the free-day in Hue, my roommate, Azusa had not got some problems. She could not eat almost Vietnamese food and got sick as well as could not go anywhere. At that time, I thought I really worried about her and wanted to do something for her. So it was the reason why I bought her some local food for gift with the wish she would be alright. Besides, the interest of Kota and Chien and the others for Azusa made me very happy and I figured out that “give to get back more”. Friendship is the cord connecting everyone despite the distance in language and culture.

Moreover, the most impressive person to me is Ply. We had just stayed together for 1 night but her fervour made us closer and I really really like her. In addition, in my opinion, the most interesting person is Kana. We had always called her “Omoshiroi-san” because she was very cute when she said: “Oi zoi oi” (Oh my god in Vietnamese). Azusa is the cutest girl, she talked to me a lot about Jpop and something like this. The prettiest one is Haruna, I called her “Kirei-san” and she called me “Kawaii-san”, what a cute conversation! The most beautiful smile belongs to Piim, she is also a good hairdresser and I had chance to see she make the hair for Ply (It’s awesome!). Besides, another Pim is the most spry girl, she was good at drawing, you should see her pictures, it was so amazing. The kindest one is Gags, she helped me find my hat eventhough it was gone. The most admirable person is Dee, he has a very profound thinking. The most beautiful women is Shoko, she always smile and it made me feel comfortable. Annie is the most fashionable girl, she always suprised me. And Mari is the most friendly girl, Joy is the sweetiest, Pear is the most gentle, Tata is really an out-going girl. Phat is the cutest boy, Gon is the most interesting boy and Koki is the manliest. Everybody is the apple of my eye. ^^

The last day in Hanoi, the tears fell down. I had just thinking about the lyrics: “We are one but we are different, we from all around the world. We share the same sun, we share the same ocean... We are unity”

The SOA journey is so meaningful for me. I really want to take part in it one more time. I hope SOA will develop further.

Thank you very much Mr.Hatano and Mr.Hirakawa!

Thank you everyone! We are friends forever!

I love you guys so much and all the Vietnameses do, too.

I gained a family out of it

Kawita Niwatananun

( Thai student )

I have been to on many trips and have travel to many places but there is not any trip that can compare to Sing Out Asia Vietnam. The memories and friendships that I have made here will last for a lifetime. It is definitely my most memorable trip.

I learned about Sing Out Asia Vietnam through a friend of mine. He invited me to come and after thinking about it I decided it would be a great idea to come because I have never been to Vietnam before. When I first arrived at the airport in Hanoi I was quite anxious because I did not know what to expect. We all met at the airport (Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese) but we started getting to know each other on the bus. Before arriving in Vietnam, I thought that we might have some trouble communicating because we spoke different languages but after I got to talk to some of the Japanese I felt that we would have no trouble communicating in English. I did not know that the majority of the Vietnamese could not really speak English until I got to room with one of the Vietnamese girls.

When she told me that she could not really understand English, I was quite worried because I had no idea how we would talk to each other and I really wanted to get to know her. First, I thought if I spoke really slow she might understand me but she still could not but after trying we found out that we could communicate by our body language and by drawing. This was the first time that I was in a situation that I almost could not communicate with somebody because I always thought that everybody could understand English. Everybody might not have great English skills but we could still communicate by using English. So I was quite shocked when I found out that the Vietnamese could speak Japanese so fluently but could not speak English. Being put into this kind of situation taught me that sometime you do not need to use language to communicate with somebody. You could use drawings, body language and you will be able to communicate just fine.

This trip taught me a lot of things. I learned that there are many ways to communicate other than using language. I also learned that even though we come from different places and use different languages, we all have similar interest in a lot of things such as music, hobbies and our goals in life. Now the trip is over but those 10 amazing and wonderful days will always live on in my memory.

I am very grateful that I got this opportunity to go to Vietnam. I definitely want to come back to Vietnam someday and I am finding an opportunity to go to Japan!

I really want to thanks Mr.Hatano and Mr.Yahiro for giving me this opportunity to broaden my horizon, to meet new people and to gain many new experiences.

The friendships that have been built on this trip will last forever and I believe that we will all have the chance to meet up again. This trip did not only give me great memories but I gained a family out of it. Now I have two families, one family is blood related and the other is international.

I believe that we were destined to meet so that we could share this 10 day journey together. I feel very blessed.

Wonderful trip

Phat Ratanawilaiwan

Thailand

Dear Sing Out Asia 2013,

As a senior student at Chulalongkorn University, I looked for a chance to have a rest before getting into the job market. By destiny, my friend (Pear) invited me to join Sing Out Asia 2013 which held from 10-19 of March 2013 in Vietnam. This is one of the most memorable experiences and I am very happy that I was a part of this wonderful trip.

In this trip, there are students from three difference nations; namely, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand. Once I was there I faced the problem of communication in English. At first, I really panic of how to do with this problem. My first friend is a Japanese guy, name Koki. He is not that talkative, but after chatting with him for a while I found that he is very nice and have many experiences. I am very excited when I heard that he was just back from Fiji.

We also have a chance to do group activities together and I have more opportunities to make more friends from this. Every activity was very creative and allowed me to develop my mind-set. One of the most memorable ones was the game that there are a large number of tasks and the one who could finish it first will get the prizes. Actually, there is nothing to do with this game if you read carefully. I was pretty shock when I figured out the problem, may be the last one, but this teaches me not to do everything in order by not check the overall method.

Along the trip, I got in touch with more and more friends. Starting with Japanese friends, I get to know Haruna and really feel that she is very smart and very friendly. Shoko looks very eligant. For me she is a real model of Japanese girl. Her English is very good and I am pretty sure that she will be one of the best cabin crew for Japan Airlines. Marie is the cutest girl for this trip. Her gesture when she speaking is amazing. Kana is very talkative and funny girl. Actually, I really like the way she shows up as it’s really like Thai people. Kota is also very funny guy. With him and Kana, I laughed and laughed many times. I also like his passion and vision about his career path as a teacher. Kong is also very friendly and I am really impressed when he tries to communicate with me. He even used a dictionary and for me I am very appreciates with this.

Move to Vietnamese friends, to be truthful, I haven't talk much in detail with them at first. May be this was because of language barrier. However, every times I chatted with them, I was attract by their smile which similar to Thai people. I would love to say more about Moss, as she was the first one I have a chance to chat with her for a long time. She is a novel and have her own web blog which she translate the novel into Vietnam language. She is also able to perform Japanese style dance. Yuki is the one who I can feel that she really try hard to communicate in English. Nguyen is very friendly and she is the leader of Vietnam group. She can speak English quite well. Bin is only Vietnamese guy in this trip, he is very nice too.

Lastly are Thai friends, as we come from two difference faculties. I am very happy when we worked as a group for talent show and for me it is very lucky to be friends with them.

All in all, I would like to say sorry that I cannot mention everyone here, but I really member everyone. I would like to say “Thank you so much” to Mr.Hatano and Mr.Yahiro for organized this wonderful trip, which allow me to exchange and share my vision, experiences and learn both Japanese and Vietnamese culture and lifestyle. Everything including food, transportation, activity, accommodation, and travel plan is fantastic. Once before I was a part of Sing Out Asia, I feel that when communicate in English I have to pronounce the best accent and use some technical words to look clever. After this trip, I realize that when communicate with friends, there is no need to do that because you really need to let them understand what you talking about. It is like talking through your heart not that special thing that created from your brain. I hope that this program will continue forever, to give a chance for more and more students from around the world to enjoy this great experience like me.

Sincerely,

Couldn't bought by money

Jednapis Sethwattanakul
(Pear)

Thailand

To Sing Out Asia

I have to thank you for a great opportunity from Mr.Hatano and Mr.Yahiro to join Sing Out Asia Trip 2013 in Vietnam. It was a great trip with lots of good memories in Vietnam and it brings me a great relationship with new friends both with Japanese and Vietnamese students. The time, the memories and the friendship is the most value I've got from this trip, which all of this couldn't bought by money.

This trip would have been my last chance to join Sing Out Asia Trip around Asia, before I have to go back to my real life and I have to pursue on my future career. I have a good time with all my new friends in this trip and I will keep our friendship forever. I wish to see them all again in the future, may be in Vietnam or Japan or Thailand.

From Thai Girl

Jednapis Sethwattanakul (Pear)

The situation has changed gradually

Takayuki Nakayama

(GON)

Japan

I was worried about this trip because I had never been to Vietnam. But, my thinking had changed soon. Trip in Vietnam was good for me.

First day, Japanese students went to Taipei to eat dinner and put up a hotel. Some of Japanese talked about SOA when we played cards. Next day, we met Thailand and Vietnamese. At first we were very nervous but we opened out as we got to know each other. We got on a bus and we had a tour guide who knew the history well and tell us it clearly. He was cheerful and kind to us. We went to the river and got on a cockboat with a Vietnamese friend Bin who was my first roommate. I was glad to get on it and see a beautiful view. After that time we went to a temple and ate dinner.

I came into contact with a different culture in the temple. A boy in the temple tried to sell souvenirs to us but there must not market. I don’t know that things. Buddhist monk came closer the boy and she beat and shout at him. He went down stairs without crying. However he still waited us and tried to sell them. If I was the boy, I cried and forgot about trying to sell them. The boy’s heart is very strong. I need to practice mentally. Vietnamese food is quite different from Japanese food. I was surprised but I tried to eat. I feel fat because they were delicious.

I was very impressed by talent show because Thai and Vietnamese show was interesting. Their show expressed their national cultures. Vietnamese show were singing a song whose name was “The Only Flower in the World.” and dancing Yosakoi. Thai show were playing a game which is famous for Thai and singing a song whose name was “Call me maybe.” This song expressed alternative lifestyles. Their show made me amusing.

When we were in my university, we have no opportunity to speak English. So I was not confident enough to speak English. The first of the trip, I tended to talk with Vietnamese.

When we had meal, half of Japanese and Vietnamese went out together, other half of Japanese and Thai did. I did not know definite reason. I thought Japanese and Vietnamese could speak Japanese. Japanese and Thai could speak English. In Hue, my roommate was a Thai student, Dee. I talked to him about this for 2 hours. I asked him what you thought this. He answered it intensely. The following day, I talked to a Vietnamese friend Huyen about yesterday things. Mr. Dee talked to Vietnamese actively. Ms. Huyen sent a message to Vietnamese students that they have to try to speak in English with Thai. The situation has changed gradually. I appreciate them doing that.

Finally, I would like to thank you, Mr. Hatano , Mr. Hirakawa and Mrs. Hirakawa. Mrs. Hirakawa who told me SOA is my teacher. Thank you for giving us a chance to make friends. Mr. Hatano told us about friendship and communication. I also think they are very important in our life. They can help our life.

I hope we can meet again!!!!! Thank you!!!!!