Riho Nishimura

2008-09 Inbound from Japan

Hometown: Toyama, Japan

Sponsor: Imizu Rotary Club, District 2610, Japan

Host: Ormond Beach West Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida, USA

School: Seabreeze High School, Daytona Beach, FL

Bio

Riho's Bio

Hi, my name is Riho Nishimura. I'm from Toyama, JAPAN. Toyama has very clean air and water... etc!! I'm living in Ormond Beach while on exchange in Florida. Florida has very beautiful ocean and sky... etc!! I like especially the sky in Florida!!! Because it is very very beautiful everyday!!

Everyone is very surprised when they hear my age. I say that I'm 17 years old. And everyone says, "Really?? I thought you are about 12 years old!" I am one of the smallest in my school in JAPAN!! So I'm very small and look very young.

My interests include playing clarinet and taking pictures...etc!! I have band class in school in Florida. I play the clarinet in band class. It is very difficult for me.

I'm attending Seabreeze High School. Everyone is very very very kind! My teachers understand that I don't understand English. And one teacher writes the words that he wants to say, because he knows that I read English better than I listen to English, one teacher makes special papers for me. The papers are written in Japanese and very useful! I have made friends in school. They always help me when I don't know what I have to do. I have a good time in School everyday!

I have a new family in Florida. Dad, Mom, sister and a dog! I say that my host father is Jody Davis, and everyone says, "You are so lucky! Because Jody and Cindy will become very good English teachers for you!" In fact they are very great teachers, Dad and Mom!! My sister Jamie always helps me when I have a problem. She is very reliable!!! And my dog Manny is very very cute!! I LOVE THIS FAMILY!!! I'm happy to be here!!!

THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY THIS YEAR!!! I'M VERY VERY VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE!!!!

December 30 Journal

Hi I'm Riho!! I am having a great time in Florida. Seeing everyone at Disney was exciting.

Thanksgiving and Christmas have been very different for me. I had never seen a turkey or so much food.

Christmas here is very different. I had a band concert at my high school. I played clarinet. I also attended a Chanukah celebration at my host sister's school and also saw her perform at her holiday dance performance. Christmas is celebrated in a much bigger way then in Japan. The lights and decorations are amazing.

I am looking forward to seeing lots of the other students for the New Year celebration in Jacksonville.

February 2 Journal

Hi everybody!!

I went to the Seacamp January 22-25th. First day... I got into a bus at 7:30 a.m. I went to a Island Dolphin Care where I saw a lot of things!! And then I arrived in the Keys!!! That night we had a camp fire, we danced, sang and ate marshmallows.

Second day... That morning we had a Welcome meeting and we introduced ourselves. Next we took a swimming test, it was so easy but the water was so cold. We had a field trip activity where I swam with a snorkel, mask and fins in the ocean. The ocean was so beautiful!! I could see the bottom from the top of the water!! It is the most beautiful ocean of my life!! I saw wild dolphins they were so close to us!! I was so excited!!!!!! That night we had a dance party!!!! It was so much fun!!!!!!!

Third day... That morning we had a field trip again. Jorina and I were buddies. Jorina was a good buddy!! We tried to catch fish with a net but we couldn't... I really wanted to catch a fish. That evening we had a group discussion. Our group made a project about marine pollution. That night we had a Round-Table Discussion. We talked about our project.

Fourth day... We got the T-shirt and we wrote the message on each others T-shirts. And then we left sea camp and went shopping at Key West!! After that we left Key West at 2 p.m. I got home almost midnight!!! So I was so tired but I went to school next day...

Anyway it was so much fun!!!!!!! Rotary, thank you for so much fun!!!! It was the last time I can see all exchange students in Florida... I will never forget you guys!!!!!!! I'm glad to have met you and had you in my life!!!!!! I wish we can meet each other again!!!!!!!!! I love you♥

Guess what?? I got a " Special Achiever " in my school today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a most improved award that teachers can nominate students who is the most improved student last week. And we can get that award once a week just one student in my school!!!!!! But I didn't know what a " Special Achiever " was. This morning I heard my name from a school announcement at American history class. Then I was in a panic because I thought I got a trouble!!!! But someone said " Congratulations Riho!!!! I couldn't understand... my friends explained to me but I was still confused. Next my American History teacher called me and also he explained to me and he said "You are so improved!! First week you got a F... but last week you got a B!! So I voted you!!"

I' m so happy but if I worked alone I couldn't get a B, my American history teacher Mr. Gallon is so kind he give me work easier than normal work, and recently my host mom Debbie and Joonas helped me every time!!! So I could get a B!!!!!!!!!! I need them a lot!!!! Thank you so so much!!!!! Please keep helping me!!!!! I love you♥