UMD ni ikimashou

That translate’s to “let’s go to UMD¹“. To the surprise of everyone in my Japanese class, we were told that instead of having class today, we were going to be giving tours to a group of Japanese college students visiting the US. And of all days, today was the day I chose to show up wearing glasses, wow.

I gave the tour with 2 other girls from my class to 2 girls from Japan, Yuka and Rina. It was awkward at first because our minds were drawing blanks and we had no idea where to take them. In all honesty, UMD isn’t that interesting for a school its size. We ended up going to the campus church, the football stadium and hall of fame, the old basketball stadium, and then lunch at the student union. I know I definitely messed up more than once while trying to speak Japanese to them, but the girls were so cute and sweet that it was hard not to have a good time. At the end, both Yuka and Rina and their professors gave us souvenirs to say thank you. We felt bad because we had nothing for them, though we did get to exchange emails

Gifts from the Japanese students

The cute note paper, the pink origami paper in the back, and the Chick-fil-A coupon are from Yuka and Rina. I thought it was hilarious that they gave us the coupon for a free chicken sandwich, but apparently they found the ad amusing. Lol.

I thought this was adorable. The rice part looks a bit like a brain though.

I thought the pen was going to be something cute too, but it has a picture of an oni²on it. Derr Oh well, it's the thought that counts.

And finally, a picture of our little tour group taken before Yuka and Rina had to leave. Sorry for the crappy quality, the camera on my phone is awful. Hopefully they will send some of the pictures they took to us soon, but until then:

I'm wearing glasses today!

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University of Maryland, College Park, where I’m currently attending. Ok, now you can officially stalk me. ↩
Japanese for demon or ghost.” ↩

written on February 24, 2010 in Life

19 Comments

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http://rainydream.net Ivy

That's nice that you guys gave tours to Japanese students than be in class. What was the occasion? And how come you guys got to give tours? Your school didn't give tours out? I thought most schools have tours and they have to schedule with them to see the school. But what you guys did was very nice and the gift you guys received are cute! The pen kind of scares me, but it's the thought that counts!

http://riyuu.org Jenny

The Japanese students just happened to be visiting today, and our class was one of 3 Japanese classes chosen to be tour guides Our school does give tours, but the tours are all in English and done in large groups. I guess the school wanted more of a personal and cultural-exchange kind of thing (we could practice our Japanese and they practice their English), so they let us give the tours instead. It was very relaxed and informal, not like those "official" tours at all.

Haha, the pen scared me too, but it's a really nice pen, very smooth to write with

http://www.sushi-box.org Anna

Your layout is superrrrr cute!

I wish we have something like that at my school where we can do tours like that. I feel like there's so little Japanese at my school.

I shall go stalk you now hahas just kidding I'm in the state right above yours

http://riyuu.org Jenny

Thank you! Our school actually has an official sister school in Japan (if I'm not mistaken), and our study abroad in Japan program is quite popular, which is great for someone like me who's trying to learn the language

The state above mine? New Jersey? Pennsylvania? I'm going to go stalk you now too! (jkjk)

http://glam-girl.org Nicole Jeanette

Sounds like you had a great time with them, and the souvenirs they gave you are so cute
http://blog.oridusartic.com/ Oridusartic

It is such a good chance to get to know foreign students and give them tour around the university. Beside, they seem really nice and friendly.
http://lovejojo.com Jojo

That is so cute! I love small gestures like that. The Rilakkuma notepaper is super cute! xoxo

http://riyuu.org Jenny

Ahh, you know Rilakkuma too? One of the girls (forgot which) asked us if we knew the character, and I felt bad that I didn't (my friend did though). But now I do!

http://www.carnelianvalley.com/blog Charlie

Days like this when you get to use your language skills are great! It's awkward when you don't know in advance about gift-giving, what they gave you is really cute though, and I like the coupon idea, kind of a novelty.
http://www.silent-white.com/ Cat

That's cool that you got to show Japanese students around for class! That's a good way to practice the language They gave you such cute gifts too. I love the note paper and origami paper.
http://paper-cranes.net Amanda

LOL don't feel old, feel wise ! Haha cause you are so much wiser then me! Aww thanks for your insight. I guess I do have time, but I wonder if I will know that I want to do something. I always get second thoughts

Aww your day sounded pretty cool! My sister met this girl who is studying here from Japan. It's pretty cool to ask someone who actually lived in Japan. Aww the souvenirs you got from them are soo cutee! The origami paper is so pretty.
http://6birds.net Liz

Yeah, it's ridiculous. I haven't talked to him since.

Anyway, the rice part does look like a brain, and I have been wearing my glasses for what feels like FOREVER. I'm waiting for my new contacts to come in.
http://essencious.org/ Krystal

Must have been fun to take those two girls around and speak Japanese to them.

Those souvenirs are sooo cute! I love japanese things. I'm jealous! I'm also learning you get to learn japanese in school. I really want to learn that language, but my high school never had that option
http://blog.creative-suites.com Delia

That's so cool that you got to show Japanese students around. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw the pen. Everything else they gave you was so cute (even the Chick-fil-a coupon is amusing), and then bam! An oni.

You can get those erasers at craft stores I think, and definitely Claire's. I was staring at an onigiri eraser the other day.
http://6birds.net Liz

So far I have nothing planned. o.o I do know that it is on a Friday, though? ROFL. But I don't know.
http://behindamask.org Esme

I don't do Japanese at my school, but my friend does and a group of Japanese students came to Aus and my friend had to show a group around like you. I wasn't in class that day (complicated) so I saw them heaps of time. They were very nice!
http://dollprincess.org Melle lee

its my first time to be here.. haha nice site.. its really great giving tours especially on persons with the same race as you are.. I love the pictures.. wanna link exchange?
http://dancehalldrug.org April

Aww you guys are so lucky! I hope most professor will instead prefer to have trips than to do lectures. Haha! I'm such a n00b in Japanese. I don't know anything about it. >_<

Cute stuff are the cutest!
http://miss-becky.net Becky

Awww, those items are cute … and the oni pen is actually pretty cool . Haha, it's the thought that counts when spending time with people and I'm sure they had a good time !