Sun Prairie Teacher Visits Japan

By Darlene Grady

Do you like to travel to new places and experience the culture, food, and geography firsthand? Sun Prairie kindergarten teacher Darlene Grady had the opportunity to be one of 197 teachers from across the United States to go to Japan for three weeks this summer. The Japanese government paid for everything because they believe that “seeing is believing.” Their goal is to have teachers see Japan with their own eyes.

During my time in Japan, I visited an elementary, junior high, high school, and university. I heard many presentations about the education, economy, and government of Japan. I enjoyed staying a couple days with a host family. My host mother taught me how to wear a kimono and all of the other necessary parts. I saw many shrines and temples, a tea ceremony, the fish market, and numerous rice paddies. I learned a lot about Japan by actually being there.

If you want to apply for the 2008 Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan, the application is online at www.iie.org/jfmf. The deadline is December 10, 2007. Check it out ! The official JFMF Web site is www.fulbrightmemorialfund.jp. Go there for more information about the program. Good luck!