Farewell from Fukuoka
Originally posted on August 26th 2013.
Finally on Friday was our last day of the 2 week program. For the completion of the program a second presentation had to be held. After that the classes ended and we were invited to the closing ceremony.
Several professor and the president of Fukuoka's Women's University held a speech and also some of the students. Their speeches were very interesting and among other things they mentioned how important this program would be for both Korean and Japanese cultures. After that our certificates of completion were handed out on the stage. The certificate looks, just as this experience was, very special. ❤️
Our farewell party took place at an historical sake brewery where we have been welcomed by the president of the company and after that been introduced by a movie to the traditional brew of sake. Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage which is made of fermented rice.
In celebration of the end of this program we were of course served with several kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic sake and Japanese beer. Then the diner buffet was opened. The dishes tasted amazing!
It was a very nice farewell party as the professor and students could get to talk to each other.
When the party ended it was still very early so some of us moved on to a bar downtown. Having some drinks and a wonderful time 9 girls ended up running through downtown hurrying to get the last bus in a warm summer rain. 9 girls that have become real friends during the last 2 weeks.
With friends from Ewha Womans University and Fukuoka Women's University on our last day in Fukuoka.
Afterwords
At that night I was remembering one thing that the professors all mentioned. They all said how thankful they are that so many students came a long way even from China and Germany to participate at this program. I was surprised and felt kind of honored too when hearing this. In fact from since the beginning when I applied to this program to the beginning of it and during the whole two weeks I have always had this strong feeling of thankfulness to everyone who made it possible for me to be on this program.
Growing up in Germany however the Western culture lies closer to me which motivated me to learn more about the Asian culture east asian cultures that are influenced by confucianism like in Vietnam.
During this week not only the access to the traditional and modern Japanese and Korean culture was easier for me, I also have met so many new and interesting personalities and could make so many new friends. Although I could not talk and spent much time with all girls in the group I think they all are such great persons. I wish them the best for their future and hope that I can meet them some day again (maybe in Europe when they will visit me). A video that one of my Japanese friends made for the closing ceremony was very moving. It expresses the feelings and experiences of all of us. But it also showed how hard the farewell at the next day would be.
As for me I am very bad in saying goodbye. So when finally the bus with the Ewha students departed from Fukuoka Women's University we all had red eyes full of tears, sobbing and saying our goodbyes. (the last japanese songs has the meaning of "after ten years")
One thing I can say for sure: I will return to Japan some day!
