KUALA LUMPUR, Monday 12 January 2004 - For four young people – two from Japan and two from UCSI (University College Sedaya International), the Student Exchange Programme arranged by the Lions Club of the Nagoya District in Japan has added excitement, fun and plenty of learning into their lives.Chiaki Kojima and Yuki Asano, both 17-year-old high school students from Nagoya in Japan were recently on an Exchange Programme to Malaysia for three weeks.
UCSI’s Student Council member, Elaine Chong played host sister to Chiaki, while Yuki stayed with another student, Yap Hui Hui and her family. 

Both Japanese lass thought that the weather in Malaysia is very hot. “The reason we chose Malaysia is because we want to experience the weather here. It’s winter in Japan;” said Chiaki. “A change of weather is a good experience.”

Yuki had another reason for choosing Malaysia. “I don’t know much about Malaysia, except that I’ve heard a lot about the interesting local fruits! It’s good to come here to learn about Malaysia.”

During their three weeks’ stay here, the two were taken on trips to the KLCC, Central Market, Istana Budaya, Chinatown, as well as Genting Highlandsd and Melaka. “Oh, I love Chinatown!” quipped Chiaki. 

Chiaki’s favourite food is the roti pisang and chicken rice, while Yuki likes kebab besides roti pisang.

Malaysia is a peaceful, multicultural society. “Everyone is friendly. When people talk, they mix all the languages together… English, Malay, Mandarin and Cantonese. I find that it is really interesting,” said Chiaki. “How can you make that switch so easily?”

Yuki finds Malaysians eat many times a day. “In Japan, we stick to our three main meals. Japanese love to pamper themselves, so when I got here, I saw that bath-tubs are not common in many households. In Japan, we take a bath in the tub everyday! The water would be about 40 degrees and we’d soak in there for 30 minutes on average.”

What Yuki also finds interesting is that Malaysians are quite casual. “For example, the student-teacher relationship here is very casual… In Japan, we treat our mentors and elders with great respect. There a re honorific titles for the different people we address,” she added. 

On returning to Japan, Chiaki said she would be bringing home plenty of kebaya and traditional costumes of Malaysia! “They are so pretty!” she said.

For the two host sisters, the experience was also somewhat enriching. “I had a new sister for three whole weeks. I have been emailing Chiaki before her arrival to KL, and she knows I love Japanese anime. So guess what she got me? Several Japanese anime comics! Very sweet of her indeed,” said Elaine. “I learnt some basic Japanese words, and also the technique of wearing a yukata (summer kimono).”

For Hui Hui, it has been a tiring three weeks, but definitely well worth it. “I want to play host to Yuki because I want to go to Japan, and having Yuki stay with me, I get to learn more about their culture,” she said. “Oh, and yes, wearing the yukata is interesting. I’m also learning the Japanese language, so I get to practice conversing with Yuki.”