On our first date, my future husband Paul talked about his 1966 summer internship with VIA in Vietnam. The experience changed his preconceptions about other cultures as he developed a sense of community with his hosts in Buôn Ma Thuột. He also made lifelong friendships with other participants and strengthened his commitment to VIA and its goals.
When I joined him on a ten-day study tour of Japan that Kazutoh Ishida led in the spring of 2017, I shared new perspectives, friendships, and experiences of VIA’s global reach. We met VIA experts like Dr. Takayuki Oshimi, who illuminated some of the interrelationships of culture and medical care. I also got to know recent VIA participants from Japan, who helped me learn to hold chopsticks politely, read Tokyo metro maps, and discover the treasures within Japanese Seven Eleven stores.
We sampled regional cuisines that ranged from Osaka’s octopus balls to Tokyo’s signature tempura. The study tour scheduled for this autumn takes place in a different season and is more centered on Kyoto and nearby Nara. But I’m sure you will meet unexpected generosity and kindness, as well as surprising experiences.
