As the bus full of Japanese students from Shibuya and Makuhari Schools in Tokyo, rolled into the Vasant Valley School gates, the excitement in the air was palpable though tinted with some uncertainty. How would the guests react to India, a country vastly different to theirs? How would we communicate across the language barrier? However, it soon became clear that it would not be much of a problem. Vasant Valley students did their best to give the their guests an authentic experience – starting with a true Indian welcome – garlands and tikka! The students also extended their appreciation of the two cultures by dancing to both Naatu Naatu and a traditional Japanese song on stage.
Throughout the five days they stayed with us, the guests experienced the facets of Indian culture through food, visiting monuments and other lived experiences. On Friday, they visited IIT Delhi to understand the burgeoning engineering industry in India. There were workshops for tie-and-dye, lippan art and a workshop on how to begin a Start Up company and the issues one can face.
Our host students organised visits to show their guests Delhi. They visited Dilli Haat, Qutub Minar and Rashtrapati Bhavan.
This programme was a fruitful experience in more ways than one. It allowed two cultures mix but also showed us our own culture through a new lens. In conclusion, each one of us left with new understandings, experiences and friends.
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