Student Facilitator Narrative Report - 1st Week - Danao

7/18/2019 Student Facilitator Narrative Report - 1st Week - Danao

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LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION TOWARDS EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

(LITE)

Guided Interaction Narrative Report

1st WEEK

Allison Danao



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August 31, 2015 (Monday)

This day marked the welcoming of the Japanese students from Kobe University through

an opening program led by the LITE staff and faculty held at the CAS building. We, facilitators,

had the privilege to meet them for the first time at the lobby and usher them to the room

upstairs. The Japanese are very polite. They were always smiling as they greet us back a good

morning!

After the individual introduction as part of the program, some Japanese students already

recognized their facilitator. Haruka Koyanagi, or as we call her, Haru. smiled at me after I spoke

in front as she introduced herself and pointed my name as her facilitator. It was lovely to know

that they also took note of us. The snacks were served, and afterwards, the students and the

facilitators grouped respectively to their assignments. This was the first meeting as a group and

there were many awkward silences in between as we talked about our interests, our courses,

and discussed future adventure that they want to do in our guided interaction. Afterwards, we

played 7-up, a game they easily picked up.

In the afternoon, the itinerary was to tour the campus in a big group, guided by each

facilitator. Led by our tour guide and sempai, Ate EJ, we first stopped by the Oblation park, which

is just in front of the CAS building.

Group 5 facilitated by me and my partner, Zeanne (from left: Me in pink, Zeanne, Haru, Riki,

Saya, and Kyota)



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From left: Ryota, Saya, Haru, and Riki posing

like the Oble at the Oblation Park.

Afterwards, we marched towards the Main

Library passing by the Office of the Registrar,

Biosci Building, and Pegaraw. They asked us

what the winged animal was and we

explained that it is a winged tamaraw.

The Japanese are also curious about the tall palm

trees surrounding the pavement. They asked if

the big leaves would fall anytime and we

answered that if was just safe to walk by.



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As we went down the Library, we passed by SEARCA, where they gasped at the long full

name of SEARCA, but mostly what they kept on saying and remembered by the long meaning of

the acronym is was the last word, Agriculture.

After SEARCA, our route was

towards 7-11 to buy refreshments. As

we passed the Palma Bridge, the group

saw a jeepney which we explained to

common mode of transportation in the

campus. They were interested to ride in

one! Also, staring by the ridge, Haru

said that the campus was like Jurrasic

World, the dinosaur movie we talked

about earlier in the morning. Weagreed to say that yes studying in UPLB

is like a stroll in the Jurassic Park only

that there were no dinosaurs, just

professors!



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The group also toured the Student Union Building, after buying snacks at 7-11. Because

that day was a holiday, the offices are closed, but we were lucky to be allowed to go down the

basement of to see the bowling alley and the billiards area.

Heading out of the SU, we marched to

the staircases near the DL Umali Auditorum,

facing the Freedom Park. The freedom park

then has lots of people having recreation.

When we sat down, we talked about the

Carillon tower which is very visible though

afar. Also, we cheered for the students who

were rehearsing for a pep squad. Moreover,

Japanese were fond of insects! They gather

around insects and take pictures of them

often. Everyone was a little bit tired but the

v



5

After resting for

a few minutes, the daycouldn’t be over

without the visit to the

Nihon Kaen, or the

Japanese Temple near

DL Umali.. We were

very lucky to see

cosplayers having a

photoshoot at the time!

The Japanese students immediately took pictures of them and we were talking about

what anime characters were the cosplayers imitating. A 150- step march was on as we reach for

the Torri to see the highland view of UPLB, and to pose for another picture.



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Finally, we were headed to the direction of their dormitory, the CEC, where we passed

along the Thai Temple, the Students’ dormitories and the whole view of the freedom park.

One thing I noticed about today’s trip is that we weren’t very oriented on how to observe

proper traffic rules for crossing the road. Since we were a big group, the passing vehicles kindly

stop at our hand signals and let us cross. It was fun to play traffic enforcer though!

Another thought is that big groups are relatively hard to handle as they attract much

attention! It is a good thing that in our assignment, we were just given four students each. The

exciting part though is getting to see how Japanese people react to our culture. It is delighting to

see how curious and interested they are in the small things like insects, palm trees, and jeepneys.

One can easily say that they are enjoying touring foreign country despite the inconvenient heat

of the sun.

September 3, 2015 (Thursday)

During the first group meeting and introduction, Riki told us that he likes animals as he is

taking up Animal Science in Kobe. We then told them that there is an Animal Husbandry

department in the university and that there are cows and animals there that the students use for

their studies. Today, the group decided that we shall visit the ‘Animal Farm.’

First, Haru and Saya rode the kuliglig: a three-wheeled bicycle with a side car. They

exclaimed that it was a less bumpy ride than the jeepney, which they said to be dangerous.

Saya, Haru, Riki and Ryota with Kuya Rogelio, the kuliglig cyclist.



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We walked on

that stretch towards

the Copeland

Gymnasium, and not

later did we see the

cows and horses in the

area. Riki was

particularly fearless of

the cow, as he walked

towards it almost

without a meter

distance! Of course,

we were on guard at

him but he seems to

be enjoying himself inthe presence of the

strange cow to him. Haru, also, told me that cows in Japan are brown for meat, while black cows

with white spots are for milk. Walking further, we came by the horses in the stable. They said

that these horses are a little smaller than the horses in Japan.

Just across the horses, is the

Copeland Gymnasium, and we wentin to see the sports being played at

the time. There were basketball,

volleyball, and karate players then,

that we talked to the Karate group.

Kyota said that he also does Karate

in Japan and that he is already a

black-belter. We paid greetings to

the other Karate students in the

area and posed for a picture withtheir coach.



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Afterwards, we got thirsty and decided to get some refreshments. We headed to the DTRI

to buy chocomilk, but alas! Chocomilk was already out of stock. There was only yoghurt and that

was what we ended up buying.

Our group with the sunset and green fields of the DTRI. Haru on the right was holding our 1

Liter yoghurt!



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We rode the kuliglig from DTRI to the

Animal Husbandry arc. Since we have gone

to our destination, that is the animal farm

and the DTRI, and we still have time left, we

decided to play football, or soccer as they call

it! We borrowed ball from the team playing

in the field and they were so generous to

lend us one!



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After playing soccer, getting all-sweaty, with our time nearly done, we decided to rest on

the Carillon steps and just overlook the lower field scenario. We talked about each other’s

relationships! Kyota and Haru shared that they have their respective boyfriend and girlfriend in

Japan, while Saya said she wanted one. We shared pictures of each other in the past and

compared our long hair back then and the present; and concluded that people in Japan and in thePhilippines cut their hair when they and their partners separate. Ha! We have a common culture

there!

The day ended as we headed back to the CEC, and bid our Oyasumi Nasai’s.

Documents

Student Facilitator Narrative Report - 1st Week - Danao