Training in Japan Daegu University Department of Social Welfare students had a field training exercise to learn an advanced Japanese social welfare system and experienced Japanese culture. -Learning about Japan August 12 to 24, a 12 nights and 13 days of the calendar, nine undergraduate students and Professor Park Tae-Young visited the social welfare department located in Chiba, Japan. The social welfare belongs to the Venetian Star Welfare Foundation. On August 12, we did not know much about each other. My heart worried and pounded. We flew from the Gimhae Airport and headed to Japan. We arrived in Japan. My first impression was that the Japanese people were very orderly. When we access to escalate, the culture secretary was very courteous, polite and helpful. In addition, there is no trash on the streets. We arrived at the Narita airport, and were taken to the Venetian Star Welfare Foundation of the President’s and the agency’s headquarters.. When we arrived at the Venetian Star Welfare Foundation training center, we were taken to celebrate a picture. We received accommodation in the training center. A room with tatami was very clean, I felt a warm heart for the trainers. In the evening, dinners were at the invitation of President. For the first time, we ate rice with teachers from several institutions. It was hard to converse because I was awkward in Japanese. But at that time we were getting to know each other, and it was a good time. We went back to the hostel, and we had an appraisal. The professor said a few words about hears. During this training period, we came together to eat. So we decided a time for meals in duty-player mode. The first day in Japan was coming to a close. On the morning of August 13, there was the opening of a course. We met all teachers of the Agencies. The director of the foundation was advanced in years. He lectured about the Venetian Star Welfare Foundation’s history and operating conditions. Within the Welfare Foundation were severe physical disabilities and residential facilities (MOA-SHOEI), vocational rehabilitation facilities (SELP-SHINYUU), an Adult Day Care Center(DAYCARE-CENTER), a special elderly nursing home (NAGAI-KIMURA), and home care support centers (INOTOMO). In the afternoon, we toured the SELP-SHINYUU, and the M0A-SHOEI institution. We exchanged greeting with agency personnel and shook hands for the first time. In the afternoon, we went to the Besia, which is similar to a large mart. I bought things with the Japanese yen for the first time. I imitated the Japanese. It was a good experience. In the evening, we practiced dancing until it was perfect because we had to do a dance for agency personnel. From morning till night, I was busy because it was my turn to cook that day. On August 14th, we received basic nursing skills training. For the first time, we learned technical training to operate a wheelchair. The teacher said, “If you think of the convenience of a wheelchair, you will live only on wheelchair. So we focus on self-reliance to support,”Next, we learned nursing skills such as making the bed. During the training time, I thought that teachers always hoped for self-reliance. In addition, when the users drill closed, they thought of independence. I was surprised at the appearance. Finally, we learned bathing techniques. When you practice bath techniques, you need to follow procedure and always keep the safety of the patient in mind. In the afternoon, we had game time. We displayed dance. They enjoyed clapping and smiling. On August 15, the agency’s patients or clients did Swedish cross-stitching. It was very difficult. So I couldn’t stop asking the same question. Next, we did bed-making. At first, we did not do well. So the teacher still taught and explained the procedure. I was in a good mood to learn and make the bed correctly. In the afternoon, we chose a yukata which we would wear on festival day. On August 16th, we learned Japanese songs with a patient or client. Throwing toys around like a ball, we song. I thought about communication. Then I helped patients or clients get meals. It was difficult. -Seeing Japan On August 17, we visited Asakusa during Tokyo sightseeing. There were a lot of people. There were Japanese as well as foreigners. The Kamina rimun of Asakusa is a biggest temple in Tokyo. We saw the Tokyo Sky Tree. It is the tallest radio wave tower in the world. It could be seen easily. And we went to the Odaiba. It is a large artificial island. We didn’t see very much of the Odiba because we didn’t have a lot of time. But we saw the Fuji broadcasting station. On August 18, we went to the Casa Mori Buddha which was built on a rock. It is built 100 years ago. It remains intact. It is a miracle, but I was afraid it would collapse. We went to a sea near the agency. On August 21 was the summer festival! Many users came to our festival booths. They took pictures and created fans. We gladdened our hearts to see them all enjoying themselves. In the afternoon, we performed samulnori and danced. And we danced Bon Odori together in the same space. We became one. On August 22, we went to The Tokyo DisneySea. This year marks the thirieth anniversary of The Tokyo DisneySea. Even though it was weekdays, The DisneySea was crowded with people. To ride the rides too long to wait. because they are the most famous rides in The DisneySea. In the evening, the Disney show was fantastic. On August 23, we made farewells with all the staff. We sang a Japanese song which we practiced all night. They prepared for us a lot during various stages of our visit. We were happy. August 24 came, and finally on the last day, we regretfully said good-bye and returned to Korea. In a way, two weeks were both long and seemed to be relatively short. Teachers of social welfare institutions in Japan a man who sincerely think users once again amazed at heart. Through training my skills were greatly improved and I could have a broader perspective. My career as a social worker had been truly distressed. I would never forget the summer of 2013 in Japan.
Kyoung-Ae Kim  l.l.f@hanmail.net