2007 AUSL Testimonial
Yuriko Onishi
Education Project
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"If I express this program with short term, I would definitely say 'It is life changing experience.'
Taking part in this program gave me more than I expected and I am not who I am without the program. I've learned not only social issues but also very importance of relationship with people. There are so many problems to be solved in all over the world. They always make me sad. But after I joined this program, I realize that there are many people who try to change the world better place to live in for everyone day by day with their best. Though I am in Japan which is very far away from the states, I feel like people whom I met there are with me every single day. I learned that all I have to do is not dissappointment for the world problems but show my best to change them using my experiences and life.
This program really changed inside me and will be change my life forever. Do you want to see what is really going on inside the states and world? You have one shot to join this program to make it. Thankyou VIA. You really changed me in many ways."
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2006 AUSL Testimonials
 Dennis Tai
Education Project |
"If you ask me, what things impressed me most in my life, I will answer you that joining Asia-US Service-Learning program is unforgettable memory in my life. As I entered into the Stanford University campus, the first sights greeted my eyes is the leaves of coconut palm was nodding in the wind. With the nodding-leaves, I felt my heart also started to nod in the wind, a curious wind. It made me to become more and more excited to the whole activities. Owing to members of the program was made up of American, Japanese and Taiwanese, it gave me a good chance to meet other students from different countries. We told about the economics, history, culture and society of our own countries to each other. Thus, by sharing information of our own country, I found that I knew exoticism far more. During the school life, we have all kinds of courses to discuss and understand Education issues of different layers of society (ex: seniors, prisoners, immigrants and so on). In fact, to me everything is the first touch, I glad I have such good opportunity to explore the Education problem all over the world. At the same time, I felt it just liked a small United Nations. Though it was a short time in Stanford, I gained a lot of international knowledge that I never knew in the past 20 years. Besides, I have learned to see the world in different ways. In the past, I always think only the most smart people can be the teacher, but I found that normal people also gave us a different teaching materials, their life and problem to learn. Well goes an old saying, 'Air is to human what Water is to fish.' But, to me, I think the learners and teachers are a relationship of learned and be learned to each other. Thus, "Teacher is to learner what learner is to teacher.' is my new idea to the Education. It is honorable to me to join the program. It not only gave me a chance to meet friends from different countries, but also broaden my international view ! " |
Yoshino Tamai
Enviroment Project |
" Through AUSL program, I could make really good friends. We shared not only fun time but also hard time. I think this 'sharing' brought us solid relationships. In this program, we had many opportunities to communicate deeply with each other. At first, I was afraid of communicating deeply with others. But, as we shared same experiences, I could felt that I was accepted as I am and I also accepted people as they are. With this feeling of relief, I could started to communicate deeply at every opportunity. Even after this program, we have met several times and had a great time like spending New Year's Day together. I'm really happy to have such nice friends. I want to say thank you to this program which taught me the importance of sharing and friendship. " |
Aya Torii
Health & Disability Project |
" The experience at Camp Costanoan which is for disabilities gave me confidence. I took care of a boy who is blind and unstable. He was sometimes confused and suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs. At first, I did not know what to do and how to communicate with him. But I never give up trying to communicate. Through the process, I noticed he is distracted because he felt anxious. Then, I wanted to be a person who can remove his fear and solitude as much as possible. And I often nestled such a big baby in my arms. Looking back, I just faced him with all my might. But attitude was the most important part of communication. If I do not keep trying to know a person, communication will not be formed. It means communication depends on us. Moreover we must be honest to try accepting people. I learned them and did, which built my confidence. I believe that what I get in AUSL is my precious treasure in my life." |
Kohei Sekiya
Urban Issues Project |
" I, urban issues group member, could experienced many meaningful activities through that service week and also learned about the situation and problem homeless people in U.S. are suffering from their poverty as well as what different and same points between U.S. and Japan are. What I learned and felt are three points in brief. First, our activities, support of house constructing a NPO provides and delivering lunch poor people have in a church, interview toward homeless people gave me that we have to keep our attention toward them more than what it is. Second, I could reach the thought we should not have our 'stereotype' but respect their lives and existence including in LGBT people and immigrants, even though their life styles are different from ours. And next, I could found Japan, Taiwan and U.S. have similar situations they are out of sight in society. Why? I could feel many people have a 'stereotype' against them. On the other hand, we can say that American supports are better than those of Japan and Taiwan. When I think of differences in support among these countries, basically there are differences of recognition scale about these problems. If everyone has a common and higher consciousness, then it can lead us to be concerned with these supports for them. So, studying and knowing any problems is one of the aspects I should consider as a kind of 'service'. After this program, AUSL 2006, I submitted in my graduate assignment about 'Importance of Non-profit organization and if spread of donation market in Japan is advantage for Non-profit organization' with related in this program. That experience, service week, is still and from now on meaningful for me. ." |
2005 ASL Testimonials
Tomohisa Okamoto
Agriculture Project |
" Through the service week, I could really know that what is different and what is the same problem between American agriculture and Japanese agriculture. I think that it's because I could meet American farmers and hear thier opinions directly. This is the most valuable things for me. Moreover, In many dicussions, I learned about not only agriculture, but many kinds of things such as water probles, organic issues, and aquaculture more deeply. I realized that lots of things affect agriculture. Now, I really feel that my eyes have been opened widely and I have started to come to understand the world more truly." |
Asako Tomita
Health & Disability Project |
"The experience at Camp Costonoan was impressive for me. I spent time with children who have disabilities in the camp. I met one disabled boy. He didn’t speak at all and never smiled me.
First, I was confused with his behavior and my communication with him. But, I tried to communicate through my heart. For example, I checked his expression frequently, played and danced without language. Finally, he smiled and hugged me! I felt so happy. From the experience, I learned we tend to consider language as an absolutely necessary tool. But in fact, we don’t need it. All we need is love … and contacting with each other with deep feeling." |
Wataru Uegaki
Urban Issues Project |
" Building a house with Habitat for Humanity was a first experience for me. But that day, I was sure of constructing something more. Among the service activities of the Urban Issues group, the most impressive activity was, for me, the one in the Habitat for Humanity: building the houses for and with homeless people. I worked. I carried the dirt, cut the lumber and dug a hole. Indeed, my work was too little compared to the whole construction. However, that day, I was taking part in doing something for the big house called 'society'.
I am happy to think that some people are now living in the house that is built of the lumber I cut the day." |
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