Local Girls Planning Educational Trip To Japan
Learning Different Culture
After they graduate from Wolf Point High School in May, seniors Elliauna Ryan and Jayla Big Talk are planning to further their education by spending a month in Japan during June.
Ryan said she learned about the opportunity offered through CIEE Global Navigator when she was performing research on social media. She then approached long-time friend Big Talk of going on the trip as well.
“I said, ‘hey, you should go with me so I have a buddy,’” Ryan remembers.
The girls explain the experience will include taking a language class every day for a month. They will also tour shrines and museums.
In addition, they will each attend a high school in Japan to further learn about the culture.
A highlight will be a home stay with a family for two weeks.
“We get to learn by being with a family and how it’s like to be in a Japanese family,” Ryan said.
Both of the girls are excited about the learning experience.
“I’m interested in being immersed in a different culture,” Ryan said.
Big Talk said her relatives are excited that she will have the experience of learning in a different country. She feels that learning about a culture will help her when she becomes a teacher.
“It’s important to understand other people’s culture,” Big Talk explained.
Ryan said a goal for her is learning a good amount of the Japanese language. “Hopefully, we will learn a lot in a month,” she said.
Big Talk added, “We are both interested in learning about other cultures and languages.” She will receive a college course by going through the program.
Another experience for them will be eating foods different from their normal diets.
“We’re going to try a lot of new foods,” Ryan said. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m excited.”
During the next few months, the girls will be busy raising funds for the trip. Ryan has a Venmo account while Big Talk has a GoFundMe account. Ryan and her family will conduct a Chinese auction during the Optimist Club’s Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 6. The drawing is planned for 2 p.m. In addition, Big Talk and Ryan are planning a fundraiser at the tribal building sometime in December.
