Because of diferences in countries, those in Asia follow a slightly different schedule than us in the States. In Asia, the school year for them commonly begins in the Spring, whereas in Western countries, we begin in the fall. It is for this reason multiple exchange students from the different parts in Asia (China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea) have now taken their leave. Before their departure, the school threw them a Farewell Party in which all exchange students, International Office Staff, and some teachers attended.
Here we all are, all smiles for our last picture as not only Exchange Students living together, but as a family.. In these past several months, I have gotten close to some of these students, I have gotten to know them. Together we shared laughs, smiles, good times, and even tears when the students started leaving one by one.
To start off the Farewell Party, they called each Exchange Student up one by one to talk about how much fun they've all had, how they'll miss everyone, and to say goodbye. Everyone was fine, and still calm for the first half.. Then when it was my friend Su's turn to give her goodbye (She's in the puicture with me on the bottom left, in the red sweater), she began her goodbye calmly, in her small voice. It was soon after we looked to see she had been crying, and needed to stop. That was when several people throughout the room and several of the other exchange students began crying as well, me included.
This is probably one of my favorite pictures taken on that day. Our friend Fuen, the exchange student from Vietnam, took a picture of us when we weren't looking, and I was amazed at how well it came out! In the picture, there is me, on my left is Emily (From England), the guy in the blue is Sheng Po (From Taiwan), and the small girl in the front with the striped sweater is Iku (Also from Taiwan). Of all of us in the picture, only Sheng Po was leaving. Iku had arrived to Japan the same time the Western Foreign students arrived, so she has one more semester here. She and another girl from Thailand, Lee, were the only Asian students to arrive with us.
Sheng Po was one of those guys that everyone loved. He was a joker and always knew how to make people laugh. Even when you were feeling sad, you just couldn't help but find yourself smiling around Sheng Po. He was also really nice and helpful. I remember once, I had eaten something bad, and was in a tremendous amount of pain awhile after. Sheng Po was the one who brought me up to my room, sat with me while I lay in bed, and brought me medicine and took care of me for the night. He was the one you would find at 4, somtimes 5 a.m. cooking himself something to eat because he would stay up literally all night and sleep all day.
These were the final pictures I took with the Chinese students, Su (Right) and Yama (left). These were the two exchange students which I had gotten the closest to. I remember their departure and crying as they were giving everyone their final goodbye hugs. Yama came up to me, hugged me, and said, "Don't cry. You'll be alright." Su came up to me, tears also in her eyes, hugged me and said, "It'll be okay. We'll see each other again." I really hope I can see them one more time.
Both Su and Yama were amazing, and everyone loved them. They were both really nice, helpful, they listen to people's problems and gave us all advice. I remember Yama always being up really late, and he'd go with me to the convenience store at 3 a.m. when I was hungry and had nothing to eat. Su was such a sweetheart. I had talked to her on many occasions, and she was always there to listen and gave me amazing advice. So nice and overall, a lovely person! They were both amazing cooks as well!
I'm going to miss those who have left. I know I will never forget them. The new students should start arriving soon, with the first one coming in about 3 days or so. I look forward to meeting them all!