At 1:00, as the schedule predicted, we arrived to the National University Corporation Fukuoka University of Education. The university's main role is "teacher training" and it is 130 years old. It has 3,000 undergraduates and 300 graduate students. We were greeted by an applauding receiving line composed of faculty, administrators and students. They made us feel very special. We were ushered to a meeting room where we introductions began. We met the President of the University, Mr. Yusako Matsuo, the Student Affairs and Social Cooperation Director, Mr. Tadaiko Yoshitake, the Graduate School Director, Yoshiro Takanashi, the Chief of General Affairs Department, Mr. Kouchi Sato, and a diverse group of students. This was the first time to use our Japanese introduction sentences. I felt like one of my Spanish 101 students when they have to use what they are learning in the classroom to meet a real communication need: very nervous! Judy Beveridge spoke on behalf of our group. I was the designed group gift gatherer coordinator. This was the only thing the Japanese were unclear about. They told us not to bring gifts except for the family. I brought a DVD of Casady, books, and bookmarks. We put together a gift bag and Judy gave it to the President on our behalf.
We were presented with a lovely mouse pad as a present. I decided to give the pad to Roberta Roush because it was the best present I received and she was helping me with my YAC back in OKC. After an official picture was taken, we started a guided tour that lasted until 4:00 p.m. I took the tour that concentrated on liberal arts.
At 4:00 exactly, as stated in our schedule, we started our ride towards our hotel. We arrived to our hotel, on schedule, at 5:30.
Reflective Summary: We had a great exchange of ideas and a guided tour of the facility with explanation of their programs from faculty and students.
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