I was very excited to be a host family for the Omiya group of girls that came to Christchurch from Tokyo last week.

I was also selected to be a buddy for another member of the group. I loved being a host sister to Hina, our very special Japanese student, and showing the girls our School.

We encouraged her to speak English at all times, and played cards, Uno, Connect 4 and Wii to get her engaged. We also asked her to watch the news and try to figure out what the item was about! We shared many similarities in school subjects, music and sports.

Unfortunately, it was the wettest week of winter in Christchurch. We took Hina bowling, to Victoria Park, to Riccarton Mall and she had a crash course in Rhythmic Gymnastics at my competition in the first weekend! She was so excited to shop for groceries, souvenirs, cook us a meal and feed the cat! I loved her enthusiasm to be a real part of Kiwi life.

I will miss her and will keep in contact until I can visit her in Japan. I had an excellent experience not to be missed by being involved with this wonderful group of girls.

Emily Prebble Y 10