Make New Friends with Japanese

A month ago, I had a chance to join cross cultural training (CCT), training between Japanese and Indonesia to commemorate Indonesia and Japan Relationship. Actually, it was an annual exchange program from Sing Out Asia (SOA) Indonesia and Japan, an organization and acapella group for university student to experiences multicultural. I wasn’t the one who was joined the exchange program, but I was the participant of CCT, because I would be SOA Japan committee for their mini concert at UIN Jakarta.

So, the recruitment of the committee for the mini concert was opened by International Studies Club (ISC) my organization in the late semester off. I thought I should join this one so I would become closer with my seniors. I had no idea about what kind of event it was and never expected it would be one of my best experiences. I couldn’t come to the first meeting, so I was excluded from the list of the committee who would join CCT at Swissbellin Pondok Indah. I was okay with that. At the second meeting, my friends and the other seniors were excited about CCT, buts I still knew nothing about that until one of my friend explained about that to me. She said we would had a chance to interact with Japanese in CCT. It was surprised me, but I had no chance, because I wasn’t on the list. At the last meeting before the CCT, one of my senior, Kak Ola, she said she couldn’t attend CCT and asked me to replace her. I was happy, and immediately said yes. That’s why final I joined the CCT program.

CCT Program was held 10 days for SOA members, but for the committee we had one day to join the program. It was a bit short, still, grateful is needed. We would meet them again at their mini concert.

In CCT, I had a chance to make friends with so many Japanese students. They welcomed us so well.  we had a hole day playing game, ice breaking, learn each other cultures, share stories, and many more. We spoke with English, which was the best part of this. As an English department student, I could practice my English a whole day with them even though they aren’t English native at least, I spoke less Bahasa Indonesia. The other participants were from Enjuku Japan Theatre club from Indonesia. They were so funny. Because they were form theatre club, they were so good at expressing anything. The other things we did was showing talent. Japanese showed us their acapella group by singing 3-5 songs, while Enjuku played traditional comedy form Japan. We were as the representative of ISC showed nothing; we were just enjoyed watching their performances. And the lat thing we did were taking lots of picture together, exchange each other contact, followed each other social media, and hugged.

           One day was not enough actually, but I was grateful I had this chance and met new inspiring people. It motivated me, made me want go internationally so bad. After that event, I really want t experiences any other multicultural event, such as exchange program abroad. It was very fun even though just from two different countries, and I think it will be more fun if it can be more multicultural. So that’s one of my best experience stories.