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(2024.07.17) |
日本語と英語版があります。一番下に写真が見られます。 This post is available in both Japanese and English, please scroll down for the English version.
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イギリス出身の国際交流員アリアの退任の挨拶
令和４年４月から、岐阜県国際交流センターで国際交流員を務めたイギリス出身の私（アリア）が７月末に退任します。この2年4ヵ月の間、イギリスの文化紹介、多文化サロン、英語講座の開催、「世界はひとつ」の翻訳、ブログ記事の作成等の業務に従事してきました。
特に、何度もイベント、英語講座に参加されたセンターの賛助会員の皆様にお礼を申し上げます。着任してから、中級レベル４回、上級レベル１回の計５回オンライン英語講座を開催しました。例えば、天気、地理、歴史、料理、祭り、働き方、教育制度といったイギリスのトピックを通じて英語を教えました。また、授業の中で、英語のニュースも見ました。
岐阜県国際交流センターの多文化共生サロンでは、５回のイベントを開催しました。令和４年に、２回イギリスティーパーティーを開催しました。参加者の皆さんは５種類のイギリス紅茶を飲みながら、スコットランドのショートブレッドクッキーを食べました。イギリス紅茶の歴史と習慣についても説明しました。令和５年の４月には前任のリトアニア出身国際交流員であるギェドレさんとイギリス・リトアニアのイースター（復活祭）の歴史と習慣について紹介するイベントを開催しました。１２月には、現在のリトアニア出身国際交流員アグネさんとリトアニア・イギリスのクリスマスの歴史と習慣ついてのイベントを開催しました。最後のサロンとして、今年の６月に当センターの４人の国際交流員と協力して、イギリス、中国、ブラジル、ベトナムの４か国のお茶とコーヒー文化、飲み比べをするイベントを開催しました。全てのイベントが楽しかったので、参加者にお礼を申し上げます。
岐阜県国際交流センターの情報誌である「世界はひとつ」に関する業務も楽しめました。153号から159号まで英語版を翻訳しました。それ以外、日本語版の記事も書きました。もちろん、最初の153号と最後の159号に自己紹介と退任の挨拶を書きました。その上、154号に「イギリスのエリザベス２世崩御と70年在位された功績」の部分、155号に「イギリスの紅茶文化についてご存知でしょうか？」の部分、156号に「イースター（復活祭）と聞くと、何 を思い浮かべますか？」と「当センターで多文化共生サロンイースターを開催しました！」の表紙、157号に「チャールズ３世（イギリス）の戴冠式！」の部分、及び158号に「世界のお正月の習慣」のページを書きました。「世界はひとつ」とこのブログを読むと、私は文章を書くことに情熱があることがわかりますね。
岐阜県国際交流センターには、岐阜県在住外国人相談センターと、令和６年６月から岐阜県日本語学習支援センターがあります。この２年４ヵ月の間に、岐阜県在住外国人相談センターに関する業務は、英語対応の電話相談と通訳、在住外国の方のための英語のホームページと英語のフェースブックの更新等です。翻訳作業は、在住外国の方が知るべき情報を伝える重要な仕事です。例えば、コロナ状況、災害防止と安全、日本の日常生活が必要な情報です。私は翻訳が大好きなので、将来、翻訳の仕事ができればうれしいです。
日本語学習支援センターについて、開所のためにサイトの翻訳をしました。開所の前にも、ぎふ日本語学習支援サイトがありました。そのため、着任からこのサイトにある情報を翻訳していました。岐阜県中の日本語教室の情報があります。岐阜に住んでいる外国の方が地域で日本語を勉強できる教室が簡単に探すことができます。
国際交流員派遣について、色々な市町に行く機会がありました。例えば、大垣市、羽島市、各務原市、美濃加茂市、多治見市に行ったことがあります。学校訪問では、子供たちと交流ができ、イギリスの文化について伝えることができました。学生の英語スピーチ、プレゼンテーション大会等の審査員も務めました。派遣を通して、岐阜県の皆様にお会いできたのでうれしかったです。
色々な仕事をしてきた中で、一番思い出に残っていることは令和4年と令和5年の「ハローギフ・ハローワールド」のイベントです。令和４年は日リトアニア友好１００周年とあわせて日印国交樹立７０周年を記念するものでした。令和５年のテーマは日越外交関係樹立５０周年記念でした。両方とも６月にみんなの森 ぎふメディアコスモスで開催され、令和４年のイベントの時、岐阜に来たばかりなので、本当に緊張したのを覚えています！母国イギリスの発表をして、子供向けのワークショップを手伝いました。令和５年に他の国からの国際交流員とともに自分の国の魅力を紹介するために、ブースの展示を準備し、写真アルバムを作りました。日中多くの県民と話をして、楽しめました。ハローギフのイベントは多くの国の文化があり、異文化理解を広げることができたと思います。様々な友好協会のブースがあって、踊りといった海外文化を紹介するステージもあります。今年の１２月にもハローギフを開催する予定があります。残念ながら、私はもういないので参加できませんが、他の国際交流員と交流できるので、皆さんぜひ行ってみてください。
2年4ヵ月は短かったですが、岐阜県内様々なところに行く機会がありました。一番好きな場所は郡上八幡だと思います。秋の季節と郡上踊りの夏季に行ったことがあります。郡上のきれいな紅葉を見ることができ、ユネスコ無形文化遺産として登録されている郡上踊りにも触れられたのでよかったです。それに、飛騨地域の高山、白川郷と下呂温泉も大好きです。特に、高山市の古い町並みが魅力的で、去年お母さんが初めて日本に来た時、一緒に高山市に行きました。白川郷は世界遺産としてすばらしい景色と独特な建物である合掌造りが見られます。イギリスでは、温泉が珍しいので、下呂温泉を体験できたことがよかったです。オーストリア人の大学時代の友達が来日した時、一緒に行って、旅館も体験しました。最近では、馬籠宿に行きました。岐阜を離れる前に本当に行きたいところの最後でした！歴史的な感じがあって、建物と自然が合わさった景色が完璧でした。長野県の妻籠宿も見に行きました。いつか、中山道を散策したいですが、今回はできませんでした。もちろん、住んでいる岐阜市も魅力が多いです。岐阜城、長良川、河原町、正法寺の大仏が一番好きなところです。話したところだけではなく、薄墨桜、養老の滝、美濃祭り等、岐阜県の魅力があふれています。
豊かな清流、山が囲まれた岐阜の景色がイギリスと違うので、（イギリスにあまり高い山がないとか）岐阜市に住むことができてよかったです。
これからの予定として、イギリスへ帰国します。日本の生活を楽しめましたが、家族と友達が懐かしいため、イギリスに帰って、大学院に入ります。これから、イギリス首都のロンドンに住みますので、岐阜の自然に全然似ていませんね！必ず、将来、旅行のために日本に戻ります。私の趣味は旅行で、もう３８の都道府県に行ったことありますが、人生で全て見に行きたいです。日本を満喫できましたので、幸せな気持ちで帰国できます。
私だけではなく、今月フランス出身クロエさん、アメリカ出身ヘイリーさん、当センターのベトナム出身クインチーさんが退任していますので、7月発送情報誌「世界はひとつ」にある退任の挨拶ぜひご覧ください。
リンク：https://www.gic.or.jp/aboutgic/25de61f3542a5b6746f5fefe9eed51c1f98049af.pdf
国際交流事業を通じ、岐阜県の皆様にイギリスの文化について理解を深めていただくことができ、とても光栄でした。大学時代に大阪府に留学した後で、「日本で働く」夢がありました。当センターの国際交流員として夢を実現できたので、心を込めて感謝したいと思います。私は岐阜を離れ、イギリスに帰国してしまいますが、岐阜の思い出は私の心の中にあり続けるでしょう。これは私の最後のブログです。読んでいただき、誠にありがとうございました！
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British CIR Aria's goodbye address
Since April 2022, I (Aria) have worked here at the Gifu International Centre as an English-speaking CIR from the UK. At the end of July, I will be finishing up my contract and leaving the JET Programme. For the two years and four months that I've been a Coordinator for International Relations, I've diligently carried out my duties. These included going to various places on behalf of various organizations to present about British culture, organizing and holding English classes and events called "Multicultural Salons", translating GIC's information magazine "Sekai wa Hitotsu", and writing posts for this blog.
I would like to extend special thanks to GIC's supporting members who have attended my events and English classes multiple times. During my time working here I have held 5 online courses of English classes, 4 of which were at an intermediate level, and 1 of which was for advanced level learners. I taught English via topics about Britain, for example, British weather, geography, history, cuisine, festivals, work culture and the education system. We also used English news as a learning tool.
Regarding the aforementioned "Multicultural Salons", which are events we organize here at GIC, I've held 5 of them during my tenure. In 2022, I held two "British Tea Party"-themed events, during which participants drank 5 different types of British tea and ate Scottish shortbread biscuits. I also explained in detail the history of tea in Britain, including when it was first imported to Britain, and tea-drinking customs, such as afternoon tea and cream tea. In 2023, I did two events with Gifu's Lithuanian CIRs. In April, I held an event with CIR Giedre about Lithuanian and British Easter customs, and we also explained the religious significance and history of Easter. Following Giedre finishing her contract in July 2023, her successor Agne came to Gifu. In December, Agne and I held a Christmas event together, where we explained the differing Christmas customs in Lithuania and Britain and again detailed the religious meaning and history of the holiday. I held my final "Multicultural Salon" in June this year with GIC's three other CIRs: Quynh Chi from Vietnam, Gustavo from Brazil and Yin from China. We themed the event around the coffee and tea cultures of our respective countries, and participants were able to try drinks from each country. All of these events went very well, and I had a lot of fun organizing and running them, so I'd like to thank everyone who participated!
GIC publishes an information magazine three times per year called "Sekai wa Hitotsu", which translates to "one world" or "the world is one" in English. During my time working at GIC I translated every English edition of the magazine, issues no. 153 to 159. As well as this, I wrote a piece for every publication. In the 153rd edition published shortly after I arrived and the most recent 159th edition, I wrote my self-introduction and goodbye address respectively. In the 154th edition I wrote about Queen Elizabeth 2nd's Platinum Jubilee celebrating her historic 70-year reign; in the 155th edition I wrote about British tea culture, reporting on the tea party events I had held; in the 156th edition I wrote about Easter customs and reported on the recent Easter event on the magazine's cover; in the 157th edition I wrote about King Charles 3rd's coronation; and in the 158th edition I wrote a page about New Year's customs from around the world. I have always taken opportunities to write, both for this blog and for "Sekai wa Hitotsu", as I have a real passion for writing and so I've really enjoyed covering various topics as part of my work!
Within the Gifu International Center, we have both the Gifu Prefectural Consultation Center for Foreign Residents and, since last month, the Gifu Prefectural Japanese Learning Support Center. My duties linked to the Gifu Prefectural Consultation Center for Foreign Residents are doing phone consultations in English and interpreting between English and Japanese with other government offices to provide support for foreign residents with their daily life in Japan. Also, doing translations for the prefectural government and updating the English GIC website and Facebook page with information that foreign residents of Gifu should know, for example, information about Covid-19 cases, disaster prevention and safety measures, information useful for daily life in Japan, etc. I love translating, so if I can do a job related to translation in the future, I would be very happy!
Regarding the Gifu Prefectural Japanese Learning Support Center, I translated English pages on the website to support the opening of the Center. Even before this specific Center opened, GIC has had the Gifu Japanese Learning Support Website since before I arrived, so throughout my time here I have translated updated information for this website. The website includes information about Japanese classes across the prefecture, which enables foreign residents of Gifu to easily search for Japanese classes in their area to aid their Japanese language studies.
Regarding dispatch duties, in which other organizations or municipalities request that a CIR comes to present or participate in an event, I've had the chance to visit many different areas for work. For example, I've been dispatched to Ogaki, Hashima, Kakamigahara, Minokamo, Tajimi, and many more. I've often been requested to do school visits, during which I engage in cultural exchange by presenting to pupils about Britain. For many of these children, opportunities to interact with foreign residents and hear about another culture are rare, so this is a valuable way of furthering multicultural understanding. I've met some school children from other countries or with roots overseas, and they've voiced their happiness at being able to meet an adult from another country. I've also judged school students' English speech and presentation contests. Through dispatches, I've been able to meet lots of kind people from all over Gifu Prefecture, for which I am very grateful.
I've done many events over the last 2+ years, but the events that have stuck with me the most and were very memorable were the two "Hello Gifu, Hello World" events, which GIC held with the Gifu International Association in June 2022 and June 2023, at Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos. The 2022 event was in commemoration of 100th anniversary of the friendship between Lithuania and Japan, and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, while the 2023 event was in commemoration of 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam. At the time of the 2022 event I'd only recently taken up my position as a CIR, so I was very nervous about speaking at the event! I did a presentation introducing Britain to attendees and helped out with the children's workshop. In 2023, the other CIRs set up a booth displaying photo albums we had made which showed tourist places in each of our countries. During both events I enjoyed meeting many prefectural residents who came to look at the booths. At "Hello Gifu, Hello World" the cultures of many different countries are included as numerous international friendship associations attend and create booths. There are also stage events, for example showcasing traditional dance from different countries. Thanks to this, I believe this annual event successfully furthers cross-cultural understanding in Gifu. There will also be a "Hello Gifu, Hello World" this year, although since it will take place in the latter half of the year instead of in June like the previous two years, I will not be participating as it will be after my contract has ended. That being said, other CIRs will be attending, so if you would like to engage in cultural exchange, please attend the event!
Even though two years and four months is a short time to live in Gifu, I've been able to visit many places in this beautiful prefecture. It's difficult to choose, but I think my favourite place is Gujo Hachiman. I went there during the autumn to see the beautiful red maple leaves, and also during the summer season for the Gujo Odori dance festival, which has been registered under UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. I'm really glad I was able to experience this traditional practice. I also really like Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Gero Onsen in Gifu's Hida region. I especially love Takayama's striking old town, and when my mum came to Japan for the first time last year we went to Takayama together. I've written blog posts about Gujo (Jan 2023) and Takayama (Nov 2023), so please give them a read if you want to know more detail about these lovely tourist spots! The village of Shirakawa-go has been granted the status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the unique gassho-zukuri architecture of the buildings and the beautiful scenery surrounding the village. The houses have steep, thatched roofs to withstand the heavy snowfall of the winter months. "Gassho" means "pressing one's hands together in prayer", as that is what the triangular roofs resemble. We don't really have natural hot springs in Britain, so I'm glad I was able to visit Gero Onsen (onsen means hot spring) and experience Japanese hot springs. I went to Gero with a university friend from Austria when she visited, and it was a great experience to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan inn. Recently, I went to Magome-juku, one of the famous old post towns on the Edo period Nakasendo road connecting Tokyo and Kyoto. It was the last place in Gifu I really wanted to visit, but hadn't been to yet, so I made sure to go before I leave. I was also able to go over the Nagano Prefecture border and see the nearby Tsumago-juku. One day, I would love to hike the Nakasendo trail on a future trip to Japan. Of course, Gifu city, which is where I've been living, also has a lot of attractions and charm. In particular, Gifu castle (the previous home of Oda Nobunaga), the perfectly clear Nagara river, Kawara-machi old street, and the great Buddha statue (Daibutsu) at Shoboji temple, which is apparently the largest lacquered Buddha in Japan. I can't discuss all of Gifu's lovely tourist attractions here, but some other things I've enjoyed a lot are the Usuzumi-zakura tree, Yoro falls and the Mino Washi (paper) festival. Gifu's natural beauty, including the clear streams/waters and the mountains surrounding many towns, greatly differs from Britain's natural beauty (for example, Britain is not very mountainous), so I really appreciate having this chance to live somewhere that looks so different to my home country.
Regarding my plans following leaving GIC, I will be returning home to the UK. I have greatly enjoyed my life in Japan, but I miss my family and friends a lot, so I feel that it's time to head home. I will be entering graduate school and starting a master's degree in the UK, so I'm very excited to further my education! I will be living in London, which is very different to Gifu, with its abundance of natural sights! Of course, I hope to return to Japan in the future as I like to travel. I've already been to 38 of Japan's 47 prefectures, but I would like to visit all of them! I've truly been able to experience and enjoy Japan to the fullest, so I can go home content and without a heavy heart.
I am not the only CIR who will be finishing my contract this month, as French CIR Cloé, American CIR Hayley, and GIC's Vietnamese CIR Quynh Chi will also be leaving. In the edition of "Sekai wa Hitotsu" published on July 1st, we all wrote goodbye addresses, so please take a look at the magazine to read them. Please note that, since the multilingual editions of the magazine are two pages shorter than the Japanese edition, the goodbye addresses are only included in the Japanese edition. It is written in Japanese that is hopefully easy to understand for non-native speakers and furigana is included.
Link to this month's Japanese edition: https://www.gic.or.jp/aboutgic/25de61f3542a5b6746f5fefe9eed51c1f98049af.pdf
I has been a great honour to be able to give the people of Gifu a deeper understanding of British culture through international exchange projects and activities, and I am so very grateful to have met you all. After studying abroad in Osaka from 2018-2019, it became my dream to work in Japan after graduation, and after delays due to the pandemic, I was finally able to achieve this dream in 2022 by working at GIC thanks to being accepted onto the JET Programme as a CIR. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support during these two years and four months. Even though I'm leaving Gifu and going back to the UK, I will cherish the memories of living here for the rest of my life. This will be my final blog post, so I also want to say thank you for reading this blog, as it has truly been a passion project for me!
写真の説明：左上から右下まで
Image descriptions, from top left to bottom right:
- 令和４年ハローギフ・ハローワールドの自国発表 2022 Hello Gifu, Hello World presentation about the UK
- 令和５年４月の多文化共生サロン「イースター」April 2023 Easter Multicultural Salon
- 令和５年ハローギフ・ハローワールドのブース 2023 Hello Gifu, Hello World booth display
- 令和5年12月の多文化共生サロン「クリスマス」December 2023 Christmas Multicultural Salon
- 令和6年6月多文化共生サロン「世界のお茶・コーヒー」（最後の2つ）June 2024 Multicultural Salon about tea and coffee culture around the world (bottom two photos)
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