https://www.wasshoi.foundation/social daily 0.75 2017-04-26 https://www.wasshoi.foundation/introduction daily 0.75 2018-09-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1536190076839-06GO73MVS1DPKHPA3AH5/wasshoi.jpg Introduction https://www.wasshoi.foundation/tei-dacus-legacy daily 0.75 2022-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1553472664688-MR8LDUBCCA4ER7MK4MGX/tei.jpg Tei Dacus' Legacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1553472664688-MR8LDUBCCA4ER7MK4MGX/tei.jpg Tei Dacus' Legacy https://www.wasshoi.foundation/pastrecipients daily 0.75 2025-05-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/547a8244-e941-47ba-beaa-5382fcbec95f/IMG_8103.jpg Past Recipients - James R., Los Gatos High School Wasshoi Foundation is also pleased to provide a travel grant to support James R., of Los Gatos High School, which made its first post-COVID exchange trip to Sakuragaoka High School in June 2023. James was especially looking forward to experiencing what an average school day in Japan is like”, and enjoyed not only the school immersion, but visits to cultural and historic sites in Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima. read the article in the San Jose Mercury News https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/f63388d7-7fa2-46e5-8a6a-bb11c1eda5ea/IMG_8393.jpeg Past Recipients - Cynthia Gonzalez-Leon Everett Alvarez High School Joanna Moreno-Vides Rancho San Juan High School Joanna and Cynthia traveled to Japan last summer with New Perspectives Japan, joining a group of students from Kentlake High School in Washington. Their trip began at the Tokyo Olympic Center for orientation, followed by a homestay with a Japanese host family in Miyazaki (Kyushu), a high school immersion experience, and travel with the group to key cultural and historic sites around Japan. Click here to read more about their experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/68320bd8-73dd-454a-ba13-7a85f5787489/IMG_1642.jpg Past Recipients - Edwin Rodriguez Aviles: Everett Alvarez High School Edwin’s teacher describes him as “one of the most self-driven, dedicated learners of Japanese that I have had in my career…I have never seen a student reach his level of proficiency after only two years of learning, not to mention one of those years having been online.” Edwin tells us that “World Languages are the most interesting and important thing to me. I want to see Japan with my own two eyes.” A senior, Edwin is the current vice-president of his school’s Japan club, helping to organize a karaoke contest and an ALS charity run. “These experiences have made me become conscious of the importance of living in a world with various cultures, languages and people.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1693788148046-8ROO9XC0H9OWYIGVNAZU/Sharwan+pic.png Past Recipients - Adrian G, Rancho San Juan High School Adrian will be attending San Francisco State University where he will major in Business and minor in Japanese language. Adrian is president of his school’s chapter of the Japanese National Honor Society, and he received high praise from his teacher for his leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/567b80ea-5a5a-4db8-952a-cc1404370217/IMG_6038.jpg Past Recipients - Fernanda Ayala: Alisal High School Fernanda is a senior currently enrolled in Japanese level 3, and will soon be a first-generation college student. “Japanese has expanded my view of the world, and I hope to improve my language skills and learn the basics of other languages. I hope that the Wasshoi Foundation pushes me forward to achieve my dreams.” Fernanda’s Japanese teacher tells us, “I have been teaching for more than 20 years, and I have rarely encountered this kind of student. It is an honor and genuinely fun to teach a young person of this caliber.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1578675556835-DU26I9GBYSF2D2DGA7NS/maurilia.jpg Past Recipients - Maurilia Vargas-Mendoza: Everett Alvarez High School Maurilia is a junior enrolled in Japanese 3 at Alvarez High who loves learning and using Japanese and says, “The memories and experiences gained while studying this world language have become an integral part of my high school experience.” She is looking forward to the “first-hand exposure to Japanese language and culture which cannot be replicated in the classroom.” In addition to her studies, Maurilia is active in several campus groups, including all of the Japan-related organizations, and has a part-time job. She is an enthusiastic member of the Reserve Officer Training Corp program at Alvarez and plans to join the US Military after high school. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1553727483604-1UYB5BW0C2Z7B0QHCSDF/new+wasshoi+picture.JPG Past Recipients https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1713977939021-W43BTRBG5YHTV4MRDHYE/image-asset.jpeg Past Recipients - Joanna S, Alvarez High School Joanna S. has a goal of becoming a language teacher-teaching Japanese here in the U.S. or English in Japan. Her advisor at Alvarez High says that Joanna is “most proud of her achievement and commitment in learning about Japanese culture all four years in high school” and that she has “fallen in love with the culture and language, so much so that she wants to become a Japanese language teacher.” She will be enrolling at California State University Monterey Bay in the fall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/deab1d15-e8ac-4f3e-afc5-ebd2d7c90635/IMG_0816.jpeg Past Recipients - Uriel Hernandez Vega: Everett Alvarez High School Uriel is a senior currently enrolled in Japanese AP. He describes himself as “completely fluent in Spanish and English; I want to be trilingual and become completely fluent in Japanese. I want to experience attending a Japanese university and studying with Japanese students. I want to experience the culture and language that I’ve learned about in these four years.” Uriel’s teacher describes him as “a great role model for his classmates,” standing out for his exceptional work ethic and academic excellence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1578676433215-9F2E6F99S93PIQ3F3500/andrea%25252B1.jpg Past Recipients - Andrea Sanchez: Everett Alvarez High School Andrea is a senior enrolled in AP Japanese who plans to continue studying of the language in college as she works toward earning a degree in international business. Her interest in Japan was sparked at the age of nine by the photos of her uncle’s wedding in his bride’s hometown in Japan. Andrea said, “As I learned more about Japan, I made it a goal to learn Japanese as my third language. I admire Japan for being a very respectful and united country. I have developed a love and respect for Japan over the past eight years, and it has become one of my biggest aspirations to be able to travel there one day.” Andrea contributes her time and leadership at school and in her community as a member of several organizations, including Japanese National Honor Society, Interact, Link Crew, and the Monterey County SPCA. She’s also works part-time after school and is on the EAHS tennis team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1693788148046-8ROO9XC0H9OWYIGVNAZU/Sharwan+pic.png Past Recipients - Adrian G, Rancho San Juan High School Adrian will be attending San Francisco State University where he will major in Business and minor in Japanese language. Adrian is president of his school’s chapter of the Japanese National Honor Society, and he received high praise from his teacher for his leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/deab1d15-e8ac-4f3e-afc5-ebd2d7c90635/IMG_0816.jpeg Past Recipients - Uriel Hernandez Vega: Everett Alvarez High School Uriel is a senior currently enrolled in Japanese AP. He describes himself as “completely fluent in Spanish and English; I want to be trilingual and become completely fluent in Japanese. I want to experience attending a Japanese university and studying with Japanese students. I want to experience the culture and language that I’ve learned about in these four years.” Uriel’s teacher describes him as “a great role model for his classmates,” standing out for his exceptional work ethic and academic excellence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/567b80ea-5a5a-4db8-952a-cc1404370217/IMG_6038.jpg Past Recipients - Fernanda Ayala: Alisal High School Fernanda is a senior currently enrolled in Japanese level 3, and will soon be a first-generation college student. “Japanese has expanded my view of the world, and I hope to improve my language skills and learn the basics of other languages. I hope that the Wasshoi Foundation pushes me forward to achieve my dreams.” Fernanda’s Japanese teacher tells us, “I have been teaching for more than 20 years, and I have rarely encountered this kind of student. It is an honor and genuinely fun to teach a young person of this caliber.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/a58e2331-4e97-477b-a1d7-156b11d6b875/Adrian+pic.jpg Past Recipients - Sharwan L, Salinas High School Sharwan became passionate about studying history as a result of learning about the Japanese American immigration experience in his Japanese language class. Sharwan will be attending California State University Monterey Bay, where he plans to earn a teaching credential in history and continue studying Japanese. According to one of his teachers, Sharwan stands out not only for his academic achievements and motivation, but also for demonstrating “maturity and strength of character”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/547a8244-e941-47ba-beaa-5382fcbec95f/IMG_8103.jpg Past Recipients - James R., Los Gatos High School Wasshoi Foundation is also pleased to provide a travel grant to support James R., of Los Gatos High School, which made its first post-COVID exchange trip to Sakuragaoka High School in June 2023. James was especially looking forward to experiencing what an average school day in Japan is like”, and enjoyed not only the school immersion, but visits to cultural and historic sites in Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima. read the article in the San Jose Mercury News https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/f63388d7-7fa2-46e5-8a6a-bb11c1eda5ea/IMG_8393.jpeg Past Recipients - Cynthia Gonzalez-Leon Everett Alvarez High School Joanna Moreno-Vides Rancho San Juan High School Joanna and Cynthia traveled to Japan last summer with New Perspectives Japan, joining a group of students from Kentlake High School in Washington. Their trip began at the Tokyo Olympic Center for orientation, followed by a homestay with a Japanese host family in Miyazaki (Kyushu), a high school immersion experience, and travel with the group to key cultural and historic sites around Japan. Click here to read more about their experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1713977939021-W43BTRBG5YHTV4MRDHYE/image-asset.jpeg Past Recipients - Joanna S, Alvarez High School Joanna S. has a goal of becoming a language teacher-teaching Japanese here in the U.S. or English in Japan. Her advisor at Alvarez High says that Joanna is “most proud of her achievement and commitment in learning about Japanese culture all four years in high school” and that she has “fallen in love with the culture and language, so much so that she wants to become a Japanese language teacher.” She will be enrolling at California State University Monterey Bay in the fall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1578675556835-DU26I9GBYSF2D2DGA7NS/maurilia.jpg Past Recipients - Maurilia Vargas-Mendoza: Everett Alvarez High School Maurilia is a junior enrolled in Japanese 3 at Alvarez High who loves learning and using Japanese and says, “The memories and experiences gained while studying this world language have become an integral part of my high school experience.” She is looking forward to the “first-hand exposure to Japanese language and culture which cannot be replicated in the classroom.” In addition to her studies, Maurilia is active in several campus groups, including all of the Japan-related organizations, and has a part-time job. She is an enthusiastic member of the Reserve Officer Training Corp program at Alvarez and plans to join the US Military after high school. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1553727483604-1UYB5BW0C2Z7B0QHCSDF/new+wasshoi+picture.JPG Past Recipients https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/68320bd8-73dd-454a-ba13-7a85f5787489/IMG_1642.jpg Past Recipients - Edwin Rodriguez Aviles: Everett Alvarez High School Edwin’s teacher describes him as “one of the most self-driven, dedicated learners of Japanese that I have had in my career…I have never seen a student reach his level of proficiency after only two years of learning, not to mention one of those years having been online.” Edwin tells us that “World Languages are the most interesting and important thing to me. I want to see Japan with my own two eyes.” A senior, Edwin is the current vice-president of his school’s Japan club, helping to organize a karaoke contest and an ALS charity run. “These experiences have made me become conscious of the importance of living in a world with various cultures, languages and people.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1578676433215-9F2E6F99S93PIQ3F3500/andrea%25252B1.jpg Past Recipients - Andrea Sanchez: Everett Alvarez High School Andrea is a senior enrolled in AP Japanese who plans to continue studying of the language in college as she works toward earning a degree in international business. Her interest in Japan was sparked at the age of nine by the photos of her uncle’s wedding in his bride’s hometown in Japan. Andrea said, “As I learned more about Japan, I made it a goal to learn Japanese as my third language. I admire Japan for being a very respectful and united country. I have developed a love and respect for Japan over the past eight years, and it has become one of my biggest aspirations to be able to travel there one day.” Andrea contributes her time and leadership at school and in her community as a member of several organizations, including Japanese National Honor Society, Interact, Link Crew, and the Monterey County SPCA. She’s also works part-time after school and is on the EAHS tennis team. https://www.wasshoi.foundation/current-recipients daily 0.75 2025-05-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/8b883528-f719-4770-b681-78a985c4c44c/IMG_1708.jpg Current Recipients - Ava (Daniell) Moreno and Sherly Vega Salinas High School Ava: Traveling to Japan will be a transformative experience. It will not only give me a direct insight into the culture I’ve dedicated years of my life studying, but also a chance for me to apply what I’ve been learning for 4 years straight into real action. With my passion, I hope to be able to broaden my horizons. Sherly: Visiting Japan will be a life-changing experience that will provide me with valuable insights, knowledge, and personal growth. I am eager to embrace this opportunity and bring back the lessons I learn to benefit my community and future endeavors. Ava and Sherly will be traveling to Japan this summer with New Perspectives Japan (Photo, left to right: Peter Jordan, Sherly Vega, Michelle Lupisan-Sensei, Ava Moreno, Ann Jordan) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/8b883528-f719-4770-b681-78a985c4c44c/IMG_1708.jpg Current Recipients - Ava (Daniell) Moreno and Sherly Vega Salinas High School From left to right: Peter Jordan, Sherly Vega, Michelle Lupisan-Sensei, Ava Moreno, Ann Jordan https://www.wasshoi.foundation/current-recipients-copy daily 0.75 2025-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/9594586f-6e7b-4ac6-a0ae-e8e72e6b4ad8/White+Modern+Best+Friend+Photo+Collage+%282%29.png Reflections - Cynthia Going to Japan was an eye-opening experience for me and something that, as I grow and move on in life will always be there in one way or another because it has taken such a big spot within the memories I’ve made throughout my 18 years of living. The first day I met my host family I knew that would be the best week. When my grandpa and my host sister came to pick me up, they both talked to me, and I tried my best to use my Japanese. As soon as we got home, my host grandpa pulled out his album FULL of pictures from his visits to America and we started to connect and form a bond. The week with my host family is one of the core memories of the trip, especially when my host sister and I exchanged our own languages, asking each other questions about Japan or America, seeing how my host family was open to learning about my own Mexican culture. Another memory I cherish is the little Tanabata party we had at my host family’s house. My family invited their friends over and by the end of that day, I truly felt like a part of the family. Laughing, playing, talking, eating, and getting along like it was just another holiday with my family back at home. I wished it could never end! The trip to Japan also made an impact on me in different ways. I saw things that America doesn’t have and questioned why we can’t apply such measures and rules. It really made me think about how America might be if we were as respectful as people in Japan are. Would it then make it the America that really offers the picture of “The American Dream”? What else could we do to make America the place that we ALL dream of? For example, one of the places that showed how trusting Japan is of their citizens was the temples and shrines we visited. There were items out for sale with no one outside, and NO ONE takes one without paying. That would not be the case over here, but I wish it were. This trip was such a huge learning and growing experience. And for that I will always be grateful! (Cynthia is currently in her first year of college and looks forward to continuing the connection she formed with her host family in Miyazaki, Japan) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/af512ee7-cc23-4bc0-b6df-d6d8c06c1b9a/White+Modern+Best+Friend+Photo+Collage.png Reflections - Joanna My first thought upon arriving in Japan was that I could not believe I was there after four years of studying Japanese throughout high school. All the time I had dedicated to learning the language would finally be put to use. I was scared I would not be able to converse with those outside the Kentlake High School group I traveled to Japan with. I was scared yet excited. That first night I ate dinner at a small restaurant, located in a busy street, on a rainy humid night in Tokyo, where I had my first bowl of katsu don, miso soup, and learned how to use chopsticks. I had many first experiences in Japan; starting with seeing a restroom in a busy park, made out of glass, feeding the deer in Nara Park, visiting shrines, eating local food, enjoying the Tanabata festival, and many more. My initial expectations did not compare to the reality of my experience in Japan. I thought I would be tired after a sixteen-hour flight, yet I had the energy to go out and explore the Olympic center and the nearby conbinis. Even after leaving at 8 in the morning on most days and exploring and sightseeing until eight to nine pm, at the end of the day, I still had the energy to go out and see more. I was constantly curious about everything I could see, hear, smell, touch, or taste. Japan blew my expectations out of the window, it ended up being so much better than what I had initially expected. One of the aspects that I found most fascinating was truly how respectful everyone was about their surroundings. Starting from the airport, the trains, the streets, and even the restaurants, everyone was always reserved, mindful, and respectful of everyone around them. On the train, I saw so many people giving up their seats to the elderly, expectant mothers, and those who were sick. When walking on the streets of Kamakura, we could not find a single trash can to throw our garbage but saw a multitude of people carrying their trash from the train station, all the way to the Daibutsu shrine. It was a big culture shock especially since people in the United States simply throw their trash on the side of the road and make messes for others if they cannot find a trash can near them, yet in Japan, they would rather carry their litter than throw it on the street. Another aspect I found fascinating was how affordable eating out was compared to making meals at home. Most meals I ate for the day cost under one thousand-five hundred yen, however when I was staying with my host family in Takanabe, Miyazaki prefecture, grocery store prices ranged from five hundred to eight hundred yen per item. I thought it was odd because, in America, it would be cheaper to buy ingredients and make a meal at home rather than dining at a restaurant. In Japan, meals are affordable, filling, and healthy. My favorite dishes I tried in Japan were Miyazaki’s famous chicken nanban, kakigori, okonomiyaki, and shoyu ramen. On the first day of school at Takanabe, my host sister bought me a chicken nanban sandwich. I loved it so much that I ate chicken nanban seven times in the seven days I stayed in Miyazaki. My host family knew I loved chicken nanban so much that on the last day we had together, they took me to a famous local chicken nanban restaurant in Nichinan. I was able to try my first cream soda as well. I also ate kakigori often, mostly due to the hot, humid weather in Takanabe. In one day, I hit a record of eating four kakigoris. My favorite kakigori was at Udo Cafe at Udo-Jingu Shrine. It was humongous and tasted delicious. The most memorable part of my trip was with my host family. That experience showed me how quickly we can make connections with other people, even if we do not always understand each other. I loved my host family and cried a lot when I had to say goodbye to them at the end of the week. I made so many meaningful memories with them. My host family will always be my favorite memory of my Japan trip. I faced many challenges and obstacles while in Japan. Due to it being a busy tourist season during the time I visited, everything was busy. The train stations were always full, tourists were loitering around the bus stations, and overall most places had no more capacity for people visiting. I had to learn how to ride a bus, a train, and how layovers work in large international airports. I never thought I would have the opportunity to ride a train, yet every day I spent in Tokyo and Kyoto, I took a minimum of five train rides. It was such an amazing opportunity. I learned how to ride a bus as well. I was scared of buses and fares before the trip, but my trip mate Cyruss, who had visited Japan four times before this trip, helped our group navigate through the busy streets, train stations, and bus rides. Because of his help throughout our trip, I feel confident that I could go back to Japan and navigate through Kyoto by myself. This trip influenced my thoughts about travel. I had never had a layover in a large city, traveled by bus, or train, or walked to so many places before. However, after this trip, I am more open to all these experiences. I plan to visit El Salvador with a layover in Texas because of the amazing layovers I was able to experience in Japan. This opportunity to visit Japan has influenced me to pursue a study abroad program for my junior year of college, where I will be able to participate in a nursing program in Osaka through Mount Saint Mary’s University. (Joanna is in her first year in the nursing program at Mount Saint Mary’s University) https://www.wasshoi.foundation/current-recipients-1 daily 0.75 2025-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/af512ee7-cc23-4bc0-b6df-d6d8c06c1b9a/White+Modern+Best+Friend+Photo+Collage.png Reflections - Joanna My first thought upon arriving in Japan was that I could not believe I was there after four years of studying Japanese throughout high school. All the time I had dedicated to learning the language would finally be put to use. I was scared I would not be able to converse with those outside the Kentlake High School group I traveled to Japan with. I was scared yet excited. That first night I ate dinner at a small restaurant, located in a busy street, on a rainy humid night in Tokyo, where I had my first bowl of katsu don, miso soup, and learned how to use chopsticks. I had many first experiences in Japan; starting with seeing a restroom in a busy park, made out of glass, feeding the deer in Nara Park, visiting shrines, eating local food, enjoying the Tanabata festival, and many more. My initial expectations did not compare to the reality of my experience in Japan. I thought I would be tired after a sixteen-hour flight, yet I had the energy to go out and explore the Olympic center and the nearby conbinis. Even after leaving at 8 in the morning on most days and exploring and sightseeing until eight to nine pm, at the end of the day, I still had the energy to go out and see more. I was constantly curious about everything I could see, hear, smell, touch, or taste. Japan blew my expectations out of the window, it ended up being so much better than what I had initially expected. One of the aspects that I found most fascinating was truly how respectful everyone was about their surroundings. Starting from the airport, the trains, the streets, and even the restaurants, everyone was always reserved, mindful, and respectful of everyone around them. On the train, I saw so many people giving up their seats to the elderly, expectant mothers, and those who were sick. When walking on the streets of Kamakura, we could not find a single trash can to throw our garbage but saw a multitude of people carrying their trash from the train station, all the way to the Daibutsu shrine. It was a big culture shock especially since people in the United States simply throw their trash on the side of the road and make messes for others if they cannot find a trash can near them, yet in Japan, they would rather carry their litter than throw it on the street. Another aspect I found fascinating was how affordable eating out was compared to making meals at home. Most meals I ate for the day cost under one thousand-five hundred yen, however when I was staying with my host family in Takanabe, Miyazaki prefecture, grocery store prices ranged from five hundred to eight hundred yen per item. I thought it was odd because, in America, it would be cheaper to buy ingredients and make a meal at home rather than dining at a restaurant. In Japan, meals are affordable, filling, and healthy. My favorite dishes I tried in Japan were Miyazaki’s famous chicken nanban, kakigori, okonomiyaki, and shoyu ramen. On the first day of school at Takanabe, my host sister bought me a chicken nanban sandwich. I loved it so much that I ate chicken nanban seven times in the seven days I stayed in Miyazaki. My host family knew I loved chicken nanban so much that on the last day we had together, they took me to a famous local chicken nanban restaurant in Nichinan. I was able to try my first cream soda as well. I also ate kakigori often, mostly due to the hot, humid weather in Takanabe. In one day, I hit a record of eating four kakigoris. My favorite kakigori was at Udo Cafe at Udo-Jingu Shrine. It was humongous and tasted delicious. The most memorable part of my trip was with my host family. That experience showed me how quickly we can make connections with other people, even if we do not always understand each other. I loved my host family and cried a lot when I had to say goodbye to them at the end of the week. I made so many meaningful memories with them. My host family will always be my favorite memory of my Japan trip. I faced many challenges and obstacles while in Japan. Due to it being a busy tourist season during the time I visited, everything was busy. The train stations were always full, tourists were loitering around the bus stations, and overall most places had no more capacity for people visiting. I had to learn how to ride a bus, a train, and how layovers work in large international airports. I never thought I would have the opportunity to ride a train, yet every day I spent in Tokyo and Kyoto, I took a minimum of five train rides. It was such an amazing opportunity. I learned how to ride a bus as well. I was scared of buses and fares before the trip, but my trip mate Cyruss, who had visited Japan four times before this trip, helped our group navigate through the busy streets, train stations, and bus rides. Because of his help throughout our trip, I feel confident that I could go back to Japan and navigate through Kyoto by myself. This trip influenced my thoughts about travel. I had never had a layover in a large city, traveled by bus, or train, or walked to so many places before. However, after this trip, I am more open to all these experiences. I plan to visit El Salvador with a layover in Texas because of the amazing layovers I was able to experience in Japan. This opportunity to visit Japan has influenced me to pursue a study abroad program for my junior year of college, where I will be able to participate in a nursing program in Osaka through Mount Saint Mary’s University. (Joanna is in her first year in the nursing program at Mount Saint Mary’s University) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/9594586f-6e7b-4ac6-a0ae-e8e72e6b4ad8/White+Modern+Best+Friend+Photo+Collage+%282%29.png Reflections - Cynthia Going to Japan was an eye-opening experience for me and something that, as I grow and move on in life will always be there in one way or another because it has taken such a big spot within the memories I’ve made throughout my 18 years of living. The first day I met my host family I knew that would be the best week. When my grandpa and my host sister came to pick me up, they both talked to me, and I tried my best to use my Japanese. As soon as we got home, my host grandpa pulled out his album FULL of pictures from his visits to America and we started to connect and form a bond. The week with my host family is one of the core memories of the trip, especially when my host sister and I exchanged our own languages, asking each other questions about Japan or America, seeing how my host family was open to learning about my own Mexican culture. Another memory I cherish is the little Tanabata party we had at my host family’s house. My family invited their friends over and by the end of that day, I truly felt like a part of the family. Laughing, playing, talking, eating, and getting along like it was just another holiday with my family back at home. I wished it could never end! The trip to Japan also made an impact on me in different ways. I saw things that America doesn’t have and questioned why we can’t apply such measures and rules. It really made me think about how America might be if we were as respectful as people in Japan are. Would it then make it the America that really offers the picture of “The American Dream”? What else could we do to make America the place that we ALL dream of? For example, one of the places that showed how trusting Japan is of their citizens was the temples and shrines we visited. There were items out for sale with no one outside, and NO ONE takes one without paying. That would not be the case over here, but I wish it were. This trip was such a huge learning and growing experience. And for that I will always be grateful! (Cynthia is currently in her first year of college and looks forward to continuing the connection she formed with her host family in Miyazaki, Japan) https://www.wasshoi.foundation/new-gallery daily 0.75 2025-05-04 https://www.wasshoi.foundation/home daily 1.0 2025-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1536707108737-DD46W6T5YM0J9MFERB3U/lawyer_kristi_gerrior_141024_1522962934.jpg Home - Kristi Gerrior Kristi Gerrior is a California attorney with 25 years experience representing corporations and trusts. She graduated from University of Cincinnati School of Law as a full scholarship fellow with the Urban Morgan Institute for International Human Rights. In college, she studied Russian and spent a semester in the former Soviet Union. Afterwards, she promised herself that if she had children, they would not wait so "late in life" to learn a foreign language. True to promise, her two daughters attended a dual spanish immersion elementary school in Mountain View. She and her husband enjoy all things Redwood. Her favorite word "mir", the Russian word that means both peace and world, now has a friend in "wasshoi". kristi@wasshoi.foundation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/ab33abc4-1653-4a2d-b98c-57bc13dc4d35/portrait+2024.png Home - Kumi Kobayashi Kumi started teaching Japanese at Los Gatos High School in 2018 after Jordan Sensei retired. She started her career as an exchange Japanese language teacher in 1999-2001 through the JALEX Program, working with American Japanese teachers in Farmingdale, Maine. Later she moved to California to attend the Monterey Institute of International Studies where she received an MA in Teaching Foreign Language. She taught Japanese at Lynbrook High School for 15 years. During that time, she has taken her students to Japan and hosted groups of Japanese high school students and Japanese college interns. Outside of classroom, she enjoys hosting Benkyokai meetings with local Japanese teachers for exchanging ideas and sharing resources. As a regional representative of the California Association of Japanese Language Teachers, she strives to build a strong support system for Japanese teachers in the Bay Area. Kumi@wasshoi.foundation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/84ea2439-6ef3-41c7-9fef-afa2303ca9b4/IMG_2240.jpeg Home - Brendan Nystedt Brendan Nystedt is a writer, editor, photographer, and traveler. His work has been published in print and online at Reviewed, Wirecutter, USA Today, and WIRED among others. Currently, he helps creators launch their open source electronics projects with Crowd Supply. He's a native of Los Gatos and an LGHS graduate who was in the inaugural class of the Japanese language program there. He's been to Japan six times and is always looking for another opportunity to go back. Brendan@wasshoi.foundation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1536691868524-3FVKS65V21UNJYTEYBG4/18879180_1525130304198693_6479268494583005184_n.jpg Home - Peter Jordan Peter retired in the spring of 2017 from a thirty year career in education, and promptly left for Japan to complete a six-week 950 mile walking pilgrimage among the 88 sacred buddhist temples in Shikoku. Some of his other retirement projects include becoming a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and coaching cross country and track at Monterey High School. peter@wasshoi.foundation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b6f53309d5abb071f1bf9d7/1536708403757-XAFE67HPV1RDTOX3DMUQ/ann.jpg Home - Tei Ann Dacus Jordan Ann recently retired from a 35 year career as a middle school and high school teacher. In 2001 she taught the first Japanese class at Los Gatos High School, and for the last 17 years has built the Japanese program into a thriving and popular course of study covering four years of instruction, including AP. She was a member of the AP Japanese Development Committee and served as the College Board Advisor for AP Japanese. Although “retired,” she is still very much involved in language education in various roles with the American Association of Teachers of Japanese and the California Language Teachers Association as well as providing mentoring support to teachers of Japanese in the J-LEAP program. As a teacher in Salinas and Los Gatos, Ann frequently accompanied her students on enrichment study travel programs to Japan. She recognized that some of her students faced significant financial challenges that prevented them from participating. Ann was inspired by these students to create the Wasshoi Foundation. teiann@wasshoi.foundation