Pacific Asian Affairs Council (PAAC) chose junior Jessica Wehrman as one of 17 students for an educational trip to Japan from Mar. 14 – 22.

Although she is in an AP Japanese course, Wehrman was initially hesitant about going to Japan because of fears of not being able to communicate with others in Japanese.

“My fears were abolished, however, once we actually got to the school and the students were holding signs with our names to welcome us. Once we actually got to talk to the students, it wasn’t awkward at all, and everyone was very accommodating. It was really fun getting to speak with the students; our conversations were a hilarious mix of bad Japanese and English,” said Wehrman.

Wehrman’s preparation for the trip included learning about Japanese customs, household items and speaking practice with teacher Yoko Harada.

“I had really looked forward to the homestay, and it was amazing. It provided me with incredible opportunities to learn about Japanese culture and improve my language skills,” said Wehrman.

Wehrman’s itinerary included the cities of Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima.

“We mostly went to places where the main focus was on interacting and learning about culture and history. They included the Hiroshima Peace Park, and various temples, including Kiyomizudera and the Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji. We also went to two high schools, one in central and one in northern Hiroshima and did various activities with the students there.

“I had also really looked forward to visiting the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima as it is an important part of the history of the world, and as a Japanese descendant, I felt drawn to learn and understand the huge effects of the atomic bomb on Japan,” said Wehrman.