2023 Waupaca Traveler Experiences

Cultural exchange opportunities can be a transformative experience for students. It provides a unique chance to immerse oneself in a different culture and broaden their understanding of the world. The Waupaca International Cultural Exchange Committee is dedicated to providing such opportunities for students and their families. Hear some of the stories from the 2023 group of travelers below!

As presented to the Parfreyville United Methodist Church Grant Committee by Becky Liegl and student and adult travelers to Mitoyo City, Japan July31-August 9, 2024

My time in Mitoyo city was wonderful, and I hope I can return someday. Each day was filled with new experiences. Every day was different from the others, and the entire trip showed me what life is like in Japan. There was so much to see and do, and it was incredible. My favorite part was the view from Mt. Shiude, overlooking other islands. I also enjoyed trying new foods very much, and my favorite was the okonomiyaki.

This experience has helped me understand more about the world. I also had the opportunity to meet new people, and I am thankful for that as well.  The difference between Japan and America was big, but it was an amazing experience anyway. I hope I can go back to Mitoyo City someday soon.

Fisher Ferkett

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My time in Mitoyo was one I’ll never forget. It was my first time traveling to another country and nonetheless it left me with quite high expectations for my future travels. I wasn’t nervous about being in Japan and away from my family. My host family was so welcoming and generous that it felt like I had reunited with long time friends. When I first arrived my host mom, Mari, took me through the house and showed me everything. She showed me how each toilet and air conditioner works and how to use the shower. They told me to use whatever I needed while I was there and even took me grocery shopping so they could see what I was interested in eating and to show me what certain foods were. My host family was constantly asking me if I needed anything or if I was too tired and needed a quick rest. I hope to have the opportunity to host a few students from Japan in my home and show them how different Waupaca is. I know I will go back to visit them after I finish college and I hope to be able to converse with them more in Japanese. I’m humbled to know such amazing people from my time in Japan and it was certainly hard to leave them. Having the opportunity to live in Mitoyo and experience the culture of Japan is priceless. I couldn’t get enough of the history and different lifestyles in Japan. I would recommend everyone I know that has an interest in learning about a different culture to consider Japan on their list of must-see countries.

Gracie Liegl

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The short time that I was able to be in Japan was the best week of my life. The culture and kindness of everyone there is like anything I’ve ever experienced. I think we often forget that there are other people across the world living their lives and having been able to go on this trip I know have even more connections and people in my heart.

My host family were the kindest people I’ve ever met and I can’t imagine having had a different one. Each and every one of my 9 host siblings and my host parents made the experience even more impactful for me. My little host sisters and my host brothers, my host parents, and the scenery and kindness of the people will always be in my heart. I’m so grateful that I was able to have this experience and am even more grateful that I have more people and places in my heart and another thing that I will look forward to going back to in my future.

Lili Liegl

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During my experience in Japan I learned what it was like to live in a different culture. The way people in Japan lived was quite different from the way people live in America. It really showed me what it was like in different parts of the world. I got to experience different traditions that went on in Japan. For example, while we were there, they celebrated the Dragon Festival. It was amazing to see how many people came out to celebrate and how many people were involved in the actual parade. While we were in Japan, we had so many opportunities that really opened my eyes to a different culture. 

This trip meant a lot to me. It is definitely something I will never forget. I will most likely never experience something like this ever again in my lifetime. But being able to participate in different traditions in Japan made it even more memorable and special to me. Not only was I able to experience different traditions in Japan but also how they lived and what their schools were like. The family I stayed with was so welcoming and really wanted me to have a great experience in their home. You can always read about different places in the world, but being able to experience it and live their lifestyle for even just a few days was an amazing learning experience. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to visit Japan.

Logan Rogney

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This trip to Japan was my first time out of the country and it was a great experience. 

My favorite part of the trip was definitely the Nio Dragon Festival. It was fun because while you are carrying the dragon people on the side lines have buckets of water that they throw at you. The most challenging part was trying to communicate with my host family, but Google Translate helped a lot.

I loved spending time with my host family. In my family I had a host mom, a host dad,  two host sisters and a cat. The first family day it was pretty chill, we went to a sushi restaurant for lunch and then we went home and relaxed. On the second family day we went to an aquarium and saw lots of different animals. At the end of the trip my host sisters gave me a scrapbook with pictures of the things we did together. Overall, I think the experience was very educational.

Elsa Ferkett

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 1 and Day 2. On our way to Japan! Time zones can be very confusing. 

Day 3. We got to tour some of the Temples in Kyoto before heading on to Mitoyo. 

Day 4. Meeting the Mayor, touring the Junior high school, climbing up a mountain, then going to check out a beach and last we checked out a mall. 

Say 5. Hiroshima. There was a lot to take in. We also made cabbage pancakes and went to Deer island. 

Day 6. Was the first host family day. I went with my host family to make Temari balls. Then that night was the Dragon Festival! They throw water on it as a prayer for rain. Everyone was very wet by the end of the night. A special part of this day was I got to see the girl I hosted 4 years ago (Miori) and meet her mom (Hiromi Hara)!

Day 7. The second host family day and the welcome party. 

Day 8. We got to see how Temari balls are made and even how the thread is dyed for them. I got mom a Temari ball! We also went to see a Japanese coin in the sand, go to the beach and make paper tigers. 

Day 9. Last host family day and last day in Japan. I got to ride the bullet train and got to see a safari! 

Day 10. At the airport and on our way home! 

This was such an incredible experience that I am grateful that I was able to go on. I was able to see and learn so much. 

Brooklyn Butzin

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I first set out on this journey with the WICEC, I had no idea of the impact it would have on my life. This was the most incredible experience I have ever had. From the moment we stepped off the plane in Osaka, to the moment we went through the gate to leave Japan, I was blown away at the kindness, generosity and hospitality I encountered from everyone. I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. The lifelong friendships I made will forever be treasured. 

The immediate acceptance into the homes of our host families was just unbelievable.  I really felt a part of the family I stayed with. Even though we spoke little of each other's languages, I still felt like part of their family, and was fully immersed in their culture. The Mori family was the kindest family ever. They made sure I had everything I needed. Yukari and Toru were phenomenal guides. We were able to experience so many aspects of the Kagawa prefecture and surrounding area. From the many shrines and temples, to the local junior high school to Hiroshima. The Nio Dragon Festival and Welcome dinner were also unforgettable experiences. 

I look forward to the day that Mitoyo comes to Waupaca. I want to do right by them and provide an unforgettable experience for them, as they did for us. We have the potential to give them an amazing time in Wisconsin. I also look forward to continuing to raise money to help as many students go to Japan and experience what we were so fortunate to experience. 

Lyndsey Larkin- WICEC Co-President

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are few words that can explain this experience for me. I was apprehensive to fly so far away, yet so very glad to have the opportunity to. I was worried about not being able to speak Japanese, yet never felt unwelcome or looked down on and I was helped at EVERY turn by the kindest, most generous people I have met. I was apprehensive about the food we would eat, due to a wheat allergy, yet my host family and Mitoyo City staff were amazingly accommodating and even though I am pretty sure I ate quite a bit of wheat, I wouldn’t trade my food experience for anything.  To say I am a worry wart, is an understatement, BUT this trip could not have been better and less stressful.

My host family was very unique and yet, I never felt like I was a burden to them. They ALWAYS had a smile on their faces and a laugh to share and were so proud to show off their American Host daughter. My host mother is the quietest, sweetest, most hard working woman I have met. She takes amazing care of her family and anticipated everything I would need. She and I still message weekly and I sure hope she has the opportunity to come to Waupaca some day so I can show my life to her. My host grandmother and grandfather shared the home videos from Ground Zero that my host grandmother video taped during the horror of 9/11. To think that a woman from Japan on a culturally connecting visit witnessed the devastation that I watched via TV, firsthand was unreal. They even made me a jump drive of the videos to take home. Generous is a word that just doesn’t do justice to the people of Japan.  

The destinations we visited were out of a storybook and no picture can do their hundreds of year old history justice. Visiting Hiroshima a few days before the anniversary of our bombing was surreal and something I will never forget. We could and should have gotten unwelcome nods and glares and yet, we did not. We met teared up eyes and downcast faces which mirrored ours. This trip was a life-changer and I am so very grateful that your group gave us a grant to support our student travelers in visiting our sister city. We are so very appreciative and grateful! Thank you. 

Becky Liegl- WICEC Co-President