Japan!

We went to a meeting with E's Japanese teacher last night to learn about the school's summer trip to Japan. The group would leave in mid-June and be there for either 18 or 20 days, depending on how many students apply to go. The longer trip includes sightseeing time in Tokyo. The students would stay with a host family in Akita and attend Noshiro Shooyoo High School. They'd also visit local elementary and middle schools. Her teacher said last time the group made the trip they were interviewed by newspaper and TV stations. The whole point of the trip, she said, is to speak Japanese. The destination is a small town in the middle of nowhere so if you don't speak Japanese to your host family you will be sitting there staring at the walls, she said. Applications are due before Thanksgiving and the students who will be traveling will be notified before winter break. E is pretty excited!