ITO Shiho

クライストチャーチ市訪問青少年生活体験団

2025年の夏、私は「クライストチャーチ市訪問青少年生活体験団」の一員としてニュージーランドを訪れました。今回のホームステイは、初めて両親と離れて過ごす海外での生活でした。現地で2週間も滞在できるのかという不安が大きかったのですが、その予想は見事に裏切られました。滞在中はホストファミリーの協力もあって日本では経験できないことが数多くあり、文化や食事など、インターネットだけでは知り得ない世界に触れることができました。その中でも特に印象に残った体験を二つ紹介します。

一つ目は通学体験です。授業の科目や時間割は日本とほぼ同じでしたが、特別な時間がありました。それは「スナックタイム」と呼ばれる軽食休憩です。二限目が終わると、生徒たちは持参したお菓子やジュース、購買で買った軽食を楽しんでいました。日本の学校にも導入してほしいと感じるほど魅力的な時間で、多くの生徒と食べ物を通して打ち解けることができました。

二つ目は自然とのふれあいです。ニュージーランドは国土の約三割が森林で、都市部も緑豊かです。マオリ文化体験では、「震災後、マオリ族と協力しながら自然との共生を目指し、現在の都市を築いてきました」との説明を受けました。クライストチャーチ市内にも公園や保護区が数多くあり、私が訪れた野生動物保護区では、動物園とは異なる雰囲気の中で、直接触れ合いや餌やりを体験できました。ニュージーランドを象徴する羊は牧場で生き生きと暮らしており、高速道路沿いにも群れをなしていました。ふわふわの毛と丸く巻いた角がとても愛らしかったです。

このように私は約2週間の滞在で、多くの貴重な体験を得ました。同時に仲間との絆も一層深まり、充実感に満ちたプログラムとなりました。今回の経験をぜひ友人に伝え、多くの人に知ってもらいたいと思います。そして、もし再び機会があるなら、また挑戦したいと考えています。

Youth Homestay Program Visiting Christchurch.

This summer, I traveled to New Zealand as a member of the “Youth Homestay Program Visiting Christchurch.” This homestay was my first experience of living abroad without my parents. At first, I was very worried, and I wondered if I could really stay there for two weeks. However, my guess was completely wrong, and my worries soon disappeared. During the homestay, I had many experiences that I could never have in Japan. Every activity was enjoyable, and I could see a world of culture and food that I could not know from the internet. Among them, I will introduce two activities that were especially impressive to me.

The first one was the school experience. The subjects and schedule were almost the same as in Japan. But there was a special time called snack time. After the second period, the students ate the snacks or drank the juice that they brought from home or bought at school. I really wished that Japanese schools also had this time. I became close to many students by sharing food, and it was very fun for me.

The second one was the nature of New Zealand. About thirty percent of the country is covered with forests, and even the towns are full of green. During the Maori cultural program, the teacher explained, “After the earthquake, the Maori people and the citizens worked together to build the present city with the idea of living together with nature.” I also learned that there are many parks and sanctuaries in Christchurch. For example, I visited a wildlife sanctuary. It was a little different from a zoo. In the sanctuary, I could touch the animals and feed them, so I could feel them with my own hands. I also saw many sheep, which are the symbol of New Zealand. They were very active in the fields, and I often saw them along the highways. Their wool was soft, their horns were round and curled, and they were very cute and gentle.

In this way, I had many valuable experiences during the two weeks. Through this program, the bond with the other members also became deeper, and I was happy. It was a fun and meaningful program.

I want to tell these experiences to my friends, and I want many people to know about them. If I have another chance, I will try again.