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Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund LOCAL TEACHER TO BE AN HONORED GUEST OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT On June 10th 2007, Marycaye Dover departed for Tokyo as a participant in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program. Ms. Dover, from West Valley School, was selected from a national pool of over 1,700 applicants by a panel of educators to earn this honor. The JFMF program is sponsored by the Government of Japan and was launched in 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. government Fulbright Program, which has enabled more than 6,000 Japanese citizens to study in the U.S. on Fulbright fellowships for graduate education and research. The Institute of International Education acts as the agency for the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund to coordinate the recruitment and pre-departure activities of the Teacher Program in the United States. Marycaye along with 200 educators from all 50 states and the District of Columbia began their visit in Tokyo where they participated in a practical orientation on Japanese life and culture and met with Japanese government officials and educators. Marycaye was selected to represent the American teachers by giving the opening speech at the Welcome Reception in Tokyo. During “free time,” Marycaye and her colleagues did not hesitate to explore the city of Tokyo. Highlights of Tokyo included: riding the subway, a bullet train, a boat cruise on Tokyo Bay, historical museums and castles, crossing at the largest intersection (people and cars came from five directions) in the world, attempting to order food at local restaurants, and visiting the film site of Bill Murray’s Lost in Translation. After spending one week in Tokyo, Marycaye was assigned to be part of a group of 20 teachers traveling to Kyushu Island in the southern part of Japan. Kyushu is an island rich in history, influenced by China with ideas of Confucius and exotic pottery. This group known as the “Ogi” group spent the next ten days immersed in Japanese society. Ogi is a small agricultural town in the Saga prefecture. It specialized in sake, sweet beet candy, and rice. The Ogi group was excited to see a more isolated region of Japan, far from the westernized version in Tokyo. Highlights of this experience included visits to various Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples, Saga University, Ariake Bay, (home of the mudskippers), Muraoka Yokan Museum, Tenzan Sake Brewer, Ogi Junior High School, Mikatsuki Elementary School, Ushizu High School, a memorable weekend home stay visit with the Koyanagi Family, and an overnight stay at a traditional Japanese Inn on the Sea of Japan. As part of a thank you letter to JFMF, Marycaye writes: Through the JFMF program I have gained valuable insight into Japanese education, culture, art, government, and most importantly people. Visits to a variety of schools allowed me to connect with students and faculty on a deep personal level. While shadowing a 3rd grade class at Mikatsuki Elementary School in Ogi City, students immediately warmed up to me with smiles and handholding. The language barrier didn’t seem to matter because we expressed the human connection of love, laughter, and kindness. I experienced the same connection with my host family after only 30 hours. In addition, we exchanged addresses and the unspoken commitment of being life long friends. Tears fell from all eyes as we departed ways the following day. The mission of the JFMF program is to build human connections and promote mutual understanding between cultures with the vision of building world peace. I can state, without hesitation, that the JFMF mission was met through my journey in Japan. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Japanese government, Japan-United States Educational Commission, Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund, and the Japanese people for supporting the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Program. Inspired by the JFMF program, I plan to return to Japan for a longer period of time. Domo Arigato, Marycaye encourages teachers of all disciplines to apply for the 2008 trip. The application deadline for both 2008 trips is December 10, 2007. For more information about the 2008 competition, please refer to http://www.fulbrightmemorialfund.jp or contact 1-888-527-2636. |
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WELCOME SPEECH Friday, May 25, 2007 Dear Ms. Dover, I am writing to ask if you would be willing to make a speech on behalf of your 199 colleagues at the Welcome Reception for you and other participants on June 13th in Tokyo. The speech should be no more than 5 minutes in length, and should express your (collective enthusiasm and anticipation for the program and appreciation for the opportunity provided by the Japanese Government. Before yours, there will be speeches by a Ministry of Education official and an American Embassy representative. Please respond promptly,
After a few hours of feeling a bit nervous and intimidated I accepted the honor! |
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JFMF TEACHER PROGRAM WELCOME RECEPTION JUNE 13, 2007 Kom Ban Wa (Good Evening), Watashiwa, Marycaye Dover des. (My name is ..) I am honored to be the voice of the 200 educators selected to represent the United States of America during the 2007 Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Program. As American educators we believe strongly in this mission and with great passion yearn to experience Japanese culture, perspectives, and methodologies. I sense from our introductions in San Francisco a collective and contagious buzz of enthusiasm. Our engaged hearts and open minds are eager to embrace Japanese education, people, and society. As you can see, through our follow-on plans, we are an energetic, ambitious, and creative group of American teachers. I’d like to take a minute and share a piece of United States history through the vision of former President Thomas Jefferson: America has a rich tradition of journey makers and my home state of Montana recently joined in the bicentennial celebration of the ultimate trailblazers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. |
Welcome Speech (Press the Arrow to Play) To download a copy of Apple Quicktime, click here: WEB PAGE CONTRIBUTORS |
