The culture exchange project with students from Dickinson College has finally started. We are communicating using Skype and so far I have talked with 3 students. It is not easy planning when to get in touch since there is a 12~13 hours time difference but we are working it out by taking turns sacrificing our sleep. Each session is around 30 minutes so we use English and Japanese, 15 minutes each. It is very funny how we have to suddenly switch to the other language in the middle of the conversation. One of the students I have come to know turned out to be born in the state I used to live in. I had never used Skype before taking part in this project so it worried me a little whether I could take advantage of this unknown device, but with the basic instructions from the GP coordinator, I was able to join the online community. This project has saved me from being left behind modern technology and I hope it will also allow me to build strong bonds with people across the sea.

by Rina M