Brandon Twp.- The Fluck family celebrated Thanksgiving just over a week ago? a little early, but the township residents had a special visitor who had never experienced the holiday and won’t be in the country come November.
Natsuka Yatsuda, 15, a Japanese exchange students who stayed with Suzy and Bob Fluck and their daughter, Heidi, 15, this month, had never even seen turkey. Baking was also a novelty, as ovens are rare in Japan.
‘They take up too much room,? explained Suzy. ‘They have microwaves that switch to convection ovens and they have stovetops. We baked cookies, pies, cobblers here.?
Natsuka smiles.
‘Everything in America is delicious,? she says. ‘I liked the mashed potatoes and pumpkin and apple pies and stuffing.?
Natsuka found a lot to like during her month-long stay in Michigan. She arrived in the U.S. on July 24 as part of the Labo International Exchange Foundation program. She returned to her home in Yokohama, Japan (about 20 minutes south of Tokyo) last weekend, but enjoyed many varied experiences while here. She attended a Detroit Tigers baseball game at Comerica Park (during which she got an autograph from and photo with pitcher Rick Porcello); visited Greenfield Village, Lake Huron and Frankenmuth; and saw the Woodward Dream Cruise, during which she marveled at how many vehicles Bob could identify.
Some of the most special experiences she had, however, were not of the tourist variety, but just spending time with her American family. Natsuka, who plays tennis in her home country, participated in tennis camp with Heidi, played softball and piano, went shopping, swimming, and also experienced some firsts? tubing on a speedboat and attending a surprise party.
Natsuka’s eyes light up when asked what else stands out about her first time in the U.S. Although she reads and writes English well, she has a little more difficulty with the spoken language. She consults her Casio Ex-Word, a hand-held Japanese-English translator.
‘I saw a shooting star,? she says, grinning.
Heidi nods and explains how they came home from playing tennis one night and Natsuka was excited to see stars, something she doesn’t see much of in Japan because of the amount of city lights. Suzy, Heidi and Natsuka got three sleeping bags and went outside to watch the Perseid meteor shower.
The stars weren’t the only part of nature Natsuka appreciated during her stay.
‘My city has few trees,? she said. ‘America has grass and many trees. I love here.’When asked what some of the differences are between Japan and the U.S., Natsuka noted that in her country, shoes are not worn in the house and everything in America is large? especially houses and supermarkets. Natsuka’s home is very small and she sleeps on a mat. She likes the bed she slept on here better.
She likes the people, too.
‘American people are very thankful and polite,? she said. ‘Family is very important.?
Suzy and Heidi are grateful to have had Natsuka come and stay. They learned about the program through the 4-H Club and got an e-mail plea from 4-H in June that host families were needed. In a spontaneous moment, they decided within a day to be a host family.
‘Bob and I were both surprised by how well she fit with our family,? said Suzy. ‘I would recommend the experience to anyone. It was really special because of her… I never expected this to be on my short list of favorite things I’ve ever done.?
‘It was really fun,? adds Heidi. ‘I learned about Japan and their culture, but it also made me think more about our culture and how someone from another country sees us. I want to learn Japanese now and go there.?
Conversely, Natsuka wants to come back here.
‘My American family was very kind,? she said. ?(My trip) was too short.?