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TRAINING MS/WORD for WINDOWS 338â€"6600 MILK (Homo) | _ ) / BUTTERâ€"Unsalted |DOON BASMATTI RICE ALMONDS MIXED SWEETS pamacriscrr [ LADIES® FASHIONS 2425 Marine Dr. Reania 297.00N7 Special for The Beaver ven the traditionally stoic Japanese had tears the day their new friends from Oakville left after a 15â€"day visit. During the third trip in eight years to Oakville‘s twin city, Neyagawa, 24 Oakville students and six teachers made new friends, learned a new language and found that some of the comâ€" mon myths about the Japanese way of life are far from true. "‘The trip certainly developed tremendous levels of friendship," says Ron Armstrong, a science teacher at T. A. Blakelock who accompanied the students. ‘"We also found out that the kids are very similar to our kids. At a PTA (Parentâ€"Teacher Association) meetâ€" ing, the parents expressed the same sorts of concerns as we would have. They have difâ€" ferent traditions, but the growing up probâ€" lems are the same." To fully embrace the Japanese culture, the Oakville students and teachers stayed with families, some of whom spoke no English at all. Both students and teachers attended schools, and they were taken on a number of excursions, including an emotional visit to Hiroshima. But just seeing the way the Japanese lived everyday provided a new insight and a greater appreciation of some of the benefits of living in Canada. By SHELLY SANDERS GREER One of the myths about Japanese kids is that they spend a lot of time in schools. Armstrong found this was just not the case. ‘‘They have longer hours, in part, because it takes forever to get to school and home. Students write a Grade 9 exam and based on their marks, apply to certain schools. They don‘t have the home school idea we have." Armstrong did find that many students attend cram schools, which are after school classes, but saw that most of the stress on the kids is imposed by society. ‘"‘There is also a stress on parents who are ultimately responsiâ€" ble for their kids," he adds. ‘"‘Working hard is left up to the student and the family and there is no room for flexibility." Japanese cultural experience LADIES® FASHIONS 2425 Marine Dr. Bronte 827â€"0007 Oakville‘s Business School 579 Kerr St. 849â€"8058 $3.29 4 $2.99 a $2.19 %. $8.99 8 1g $2.99 1. $4.99 6. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994 PAGE 11 SUGAR ONIONS BEANS â€" Varied Selection SAMOSA‘s â€" Fresh Mother of the Bride/Groom, Brides maids, goingâ€"awayâ€"outfits, experts in specialâ€"occasionâ€"wear. "‘The kids do work very hard and they all participate in club activities," says Susi Pichelli, a French teacher at St. Ignatius of Loyola. "For example, their swimming proâ€" gram is part of school. I also saw that we do a far more varied type of lesson. They work under the old structure we had in the ‘60s and ‘70s where the teacher comes in for a 40 minute class, teaches and leaves. Some classâ€" es like music and home economics are more interactive." Another reason kids are in school longer is that all of their activities, from music to sports, take place at school. They don‘t have the type of activities organized by the municâ€" ipality, in Neyagawa, "The Japanese like the flexibility of our system," says Armstrong. ‘"They like the variety of courses we offer and the different levels of teaching we have to accommodate different needs." ‘"When you enter the school you take off your shoes and wear sandals," recalls Erica Lukito, a Grade 12 student at St. Ignatius of Loyola. "And the schools are very big, four floors, with a pool and a track. There were 1,200 students at the school I attended." Lukito found her family to be hardâ€"workâ€" ing and not very well off economically. The father works in Tokyo and is only able to get home once every couple of months. ‘"‘The only mode of transportation they have is bicycles," she says, "and they live in a very small house. I also found they were really hard working. They stay up late and get up early. The kids I met are at school a lot. The girl I stayed with stayed every night until 6:30. They have to study really hard to go to university." For Jason Leaver, a Grade 11 student from T. A. Blakelock, one of the most memâ€" orable parts of the trip was a visit to the Panasonic Hall of Science and Technology. ""We got to see some of the most amazing technology," says Leaver. "It was strange, though, that families have computers from the 1980s and yet the technology in Japan is so advanced. This is probably because of the cost. Everything there is outrageously expenâ€" Special Occasion $4 50 doz $1.39 416. $2.99 10 tb $3.49 a m ~FOC SEE NEOSET AT BOOTH B22 OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOME SHOW. OCTOBER 7â€"10, OR VISIT ANY OF OUR STORES. The family Leaver stayed with consisted of a father who runs a store, a mother, a grandfather who is the president of the PTA, a grandmother and two kids. The language barrier was a problem at first, but because of a course in Japanese Lever took at Blakelock, he found communication improved during his stay. Welcomed home from her 15â€"day cultural visit to Neyagawa was Katy Nott, 16 (left), a T. A. Blakelock stuâ€" dent, by her father Garry, sister Kristina (who didn‘t go) and mother Penny (Photo by Peter McCusker) sive. The price of food is three times what we _ exchange. Japan. pay." "Many more high schools would like to Pichelli refers to the trip as "eye ope This is the third studentâ€"teacher exchange from Oakyville to Neyagawa in eight years. It is also a special year because it marks the 10th anniversary of twinning between Neyagawa and Oakville. Four schools, T. A. Blakelock, White Oaks. St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Ignatius of Loyola took part in this *Offer valid until October 23, 1994. Please ask inâ€"store for full details "Many more high schools would like to be twinned," explains Emmie Kuechmeister, chairperson of the Educational Exchange Subcommittee. "But there are no more schools in Neyagawa." They are usually Grade 11 and 12 stuâ€" dents," says Kuechmeister. ‘"There is a selecâ€" tion process at the schools and then the stuâ€" dents do some fundraising. Parents do put up the money to go and if the fundraising works, they are reimbursed. Every two years, groups exchange, with Oakyville students going there, and Japanese students coming here. "‘This was a tremendously worthwhile experience," says Armstrong. ‘"‘The kids get a close and intimate look at what goes on in ". FURNITURE THAT FITS! Your Budget â€" NeoSet offers high quality furniture which is affordable today and can grow and change as your needs do for longâ€" term value. Your Space â€" With our 600+ interchangeable, inâ€"stock modules, NeoSet‘s designers help you (free of charge) turn your ideas into practical furniture solutions that fit your own needs and specifications. Your Taste â€" Many beautiful finishes and accent colours that blend in with any decor, in any room. Wouldn‘t it be nice if you finally found furniture that adapts to... Pichelli refers to the trip as "eye openâ€" ing," and says "the people in general are reserved but once you start speaking to them, they are very friendly and accommodating. The mayor, for example, was there at 6:00 in the morning the day we left to see us off." "Our coming meant a lot to the students at the school I attended," says Lukito. ‘"‘They had a big bash for us and I felt really acceptâ€" ed and welcomed." When the time came for the Oakville visiâ€" tors to return home, friendships had been made between students and teachers. Everyone hoped they would meet again one day, so it was not goodbye, but ‘Dewa Mata Nochihodo‘ (see you later). B LVE CHIP THINKING