新着情報
ボスニア交換交流会現地レポート【派遣生徒より報告】
先ほど公開しました引率教諭岡島の報告に加え，こちらでは代表として派遣された生徒の、高校生としての目線からの報告をさせていただきます。ご一読ください。
【1日目】
〜代表生徒Yより〜
今日は楽しみにしていたボスニアへの出発の日でした。
〜代表生徒Iより(英語)〜
【2日目】
〜代表生徒Sより〜
今日はボスニアでの活動の初日でした。朝、日本大使館を訪問し、
〜代表生徒Kより(英語)〜
Today was the first full day in Bosnia for us. First in the schedule for us was to visit the Japanese embassy. It was an intriguing and incredibly helpful experience to be able to talk with the ambassador who has interacted with many people of different cultures. There we were able to learn many valuable mindsets and things to keep in mind such as how people can get a better understanding of a culture through learning it’s language or how we should interact with people during the stay here to get the best out of it. Next we went to Treća Gimnazija where we were met with a very warm welcome from their students and faculty. We were able to experience many traditional performances as well as hear about what the Bosnian students from the previous and current exchange took away from their stay in Japan. One thing I was surprised about was how improvisational or spontaneous things can be here; I was invited up to the stage with my pair and had to perform an unexpected speech. It really made me aware of the importance to be able to formulate ones own ideas and emotions into words quickly and still have it be articulated well enough for the message to reach the audience. Overall the event made me realize even further of the importance of this exchange in both a diplomatic and experiential sense. After the event we were able to join and see what they do in their physics and chemistry classes. It was interesting to see how they had been doing practically the same experiments and learning the same things. This really showed to us how even in different cultures the knowledge that we acquire can be a great connection. We were also able to go around several classes and conduct presentations. The group I was in was in charge of presenting Japanese culture in which we had an activity of folding origami ninja stars. Seeing that many students were enjoying this activity, I was really glad. I felt the these activities where one can teach another about traditional culture is an amazing way to build a connection between each other so it was amazing that we could do it. After this we ate a lot of traditional Bosnian foods that the mothers of this exchange had made for us, which I truly am grateful for as it was all amazing. We were all surprised at the difference in meals here; apparently they eat a heavy breakfast and lunch around 3pm and no dinner in most cases. We also had the chance to move around in their gym where many students were also able to experience rock climbing. We also danced a lot including the one we did at the Bosnia festival which was fun. Finally we practiced for a play that will happen soon, both centered around cultural differences between Bosnia and Japan and conveying the message of acceptance and understanding across different cultures. It was a day full of cultural experiences and new discoveries, which surely will help step up our remaining days of this exchange.
【3日目】
〜代表生徒Sより〜
今日は、ボスニア・
〜代表生徒Gより(英語)〜
Today we visited Visoko, a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and we learned many aspects of Bosnian history and culture. First, we visited the pyramids and the underground tunnels. I was surprised by the clean air and the temperature inside the tunnels. The temperature was 12.5 degrees celsius and it felt warm when we got in there. It was great to know that Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher was talked about when it came to talking about the water sources. I felt a connection between Bosnia and Japan through here. After that, we visited a variety of churches of different religions which was a Catholic Church, Islamic Mosques, and an Orthodox Church. It was interesting to know about the key factor of each religion and what they thought was important the most. For example, in the Catholic Church, a student mentioned that they have to learn many other different religions and not just about catholic religion. This made myself re-recognize the importance of having a wide range of view and understanding. Next we visited the museum. We learned about how back then the water sources were wealthy and it made leather industry grow. We saw cloths and shoes made out of leather and we also learned how the styles of the cloths and leather identified their own religion and country. Also, we learned the history Stećak which are monumental medieval tombstones. They had different patterns which made them identify which grave was theirs. In Japan, the Bosnian students gave us a chance to make Stećak out of clay with us and we made a hand-size Stećak. I was surprised of the size since it was huge than I expected. Last but not least, we visited a classical concert. They played the national anthem of Japan and a cultural Japanese song named Sakura. The powerful voice of the performers and the harmony of the instruments touched my heart. In Japan, we also had a chance to sing Sakura during the Bosnian festival, but the level of their dignified performance reached a higher level than our singing. I was genuinely really happy that they performed a Japanese song. After the concert, we had a chance to talk to the Bosnian kids and they were very open-hearted and friendly. I want to keep on taking communication and having a good time, but at the same time, I want to make sure to have a more deeper understanding about Bosnia.
【4日目】
～代表生徒Sより～
今日はボスニア・ヘルツェゴビナのジェリコ・
～代表生徒Hより(英語)～
On December 30th, we had the honor of visiting Mr. Željko Komšić, one of the Presidents of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia is a multi-ethnic nation where the three main ethnic groups—Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs—each have their own president, rotating leadership every eight months. It was an invaluable experience to learn directly from one of the leaders of a country with such a unique political system. President Komšić passionately spoke about the importance of young people learning about other cultures and how such experiences can have a positive impact on both us and the students of Bosnia. His words reinforced the significance of cultural exchange and reminded us of the incredible value this program offers. For lunch, we had the opportunity to try “Ćevapi,” a traditional Bosnian dish. The juicy, flavorful meat was absolutely delicious, allowing us to enjoy Bosnian culture through taste as well. In the afternoon, we attended the Japan Festa, where Bosnian students presented various performances, including class plays, dances, and band performances. Each act was highly entertaining and gave us a real sense of the lively and fun atmosphere of the Bosnian students. While we had planned to perform plays showcasing both Japanese and Bosnian cultures, due to logistical reasons, only the Bosnian cultural play was carried out. However, we are proud to say it was a success, and we felt a great sense of achievement after all our hard work. During our free time, we had the chance to engage in casual conversations with Bosnian students. We bonded over discussions about relationships, sharing laughter and creating joyful memories. While we can’t delve into details to respect everyone’s privacy, it was a moment that brought us closer together. This exchange program gave us the opportunity to explore new perspectives, foster friendships, and spend a truly enriching time together. We will cherish this experience and continue striving for further learning and growth in the future.
【5日目】
～代表生徒Hより～
今日は朝から母方いとこの家族と共に、
～代表生徒Kより(英語)～
On Sunday morning, I climbed Mount Bjelašnica and explored its surroundings, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery. This mountain is located near Mount Igman, which served as the ski jumping venue during the 1984 Olympic Games. From the summit, I was surrounded by snow and had a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains—something I could never experience in Tokyo. After exploring, I had lunch with my partner, Emma, her brother, her mother, and her father, making a group of five. I learned that Bosnian cuisine often uses pastry dough and includes many dishes made with cheese and chicken, which I found fascinating. That day, we ate pizza, and I enjoyed a delightful meal in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of their family. In the afternoon, I returned home briefly to watch a video introducing Japan with my host family. After that, I joined Bosnian and Japanese students to rehearse a play. I play the role of a band member who plays the piano in the performance. Later, we went to the Avaz Twist Tower in the center of Sarajevo to enjoy karaoke. This tower is the tallest building in Bosnia and Herzegovina, standing approximately 142 meters high, with an observation deck on the top floor that offers a stunning view of Sarajevo’s cityscape and surrounding mountains. We sang songs together, and some Bosnian students danced to the music, making it a refreshing and enjoyable day filled with new experiences. It was a precious opportunity for everyone to connect with different cultures. I hope to experience even more aspects of life in Bosnia before returning to Japan.
【6日目】
～代表生徒Mより～
この2日間は、
～代表生徒Mより(英語)～
On the morning of the 31st, we all went to the mountains. There I learned that the city of Bosnia is surrounded by mountains, which makes it difficult for air to flow and causes the fog. As we rode the gondola up the mountain, the fog disappeared and we saw the clear blue sky. It was the first sunlight I had seen since arriving in the country, and it felt so refreshing. The air was clear, and the snowy scenery was stunning as well. After that, we went to the old part of the city, to a store selling copper products. There, we were shown how they hammer patterns into the copper and listened to explanations about it. They told us that, since metal is hard to get in Bosnia, people repurpose the bullets left over by processing them into accessories. I had never thought of using bullets in that way, so I found it to be an interesting and creative way to turn painful memories into something brighter. I decided to buy a copper bookmark from that store as a souvenir. During free time, I enjoyed eating chimney cake and relaxed at a café famous for its cocktails. After that, I returned home and had lunch. It was a meat-based soup and a dish of vegetables mixed with rice topped with creamy chicken. I had been curious about what kind of rice dishes they had, and I was happy to try a local rice dish—it was delicious. After lunch, we ate cake together on the sofa while watching TV. During that time, they told me about concerts and how they spend New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. After taking a short nap, we visited the home of my partner’s friends and had a little party. I ate snacks and chatted with my new friends while listening in advance to some of the songs that would be played at the upcoming concert. Everyone was so kind, and I was glad to have spent time with them. Finally, we headed to the concert. It was crowded and cold, but thanks to having heard some of the songs beforehand, I was able to enjoy the music. Because it was a famous artist, people had gathered not only from Bosnia but also from various surrounding countries, energetically enjoying the music. Spending time with others and welcoming the New Year together, and enjoying music felt similar to my past New Year’s experiences in Japan, but the location, scale, and energy were definitely different, offering a uniquely Bosnian experience. On the 1st, I went to the mountains with my host family. After a short walk, we sledded through the snow. It was nice to see the sun for two days in a row, and I had a lot of fun. After that, we had lunch and enjoyed watching a movie together, which was a great opportunity to enjoy talking with my host family. In the evening, I spent time at a café with my friends and then went home to watch a music program. It was busier than how I usually spend New Year’s in Japan, but celebrating with so many different people was also kind of fun. It was a great time for me to experience such events abroad.
【7日目】
～代表生徒Oより～
～代表生徒Sより(英語)～
Today we all went to a city called Travnik. We drove a bus for a hour and a half and went to the city. At the city, we forest went to the cafe and after that, we went to a house that was about an author called Ivan Radeljić. One of the books is also in Japanese, so I am planning to read it when I return to Japan. The house in Bosnia in the past has a lot of similarities with Japanese houses. First I surprised that they did not used chairs when they eat at the table. I thought this was only in Japan. The other one is that in Bosnia, they also take off their shoes inside. When I knew the similarities with our country and Bosnia, I felt more closer to each other. After visiting the house, we went on a walk. By using translation apps, we spoke in Japanese, and it was so fun teaching words to each other. Next, we went to a castle in Travnik. The castle is one of the ones that had no damage during the wall. We dressed like prince and princesses, and it was very fun acting like them. Because the castle was located next to the mountains, the sight was very beautiful. We also played with the snow and is was very fun too. After that, we had free time. With my partners and friends, we visited the cafe. The heard that is common for people visiting the cafe. They told us that even they are busy, they think that visiting cafes and having coffee is very important for their lives. We talked about our school and hobbies, and we had a good time together. During the day I learned the similarities and differences between Bosnia and Japan and we had a very good time.
