Dear Friends,

In previous years the September issue of this newsletter would have been anticipated because of information about retiree gatherings. A few weeks ago it looked as if the pandemic had lessened enough to schedule fall activities. Alas, with the recent increases in COVID-19 cases, it seems that the time has not yet come. At this point, after consulting with area officers, the plan is to look forward to spring area/state meetings in 2022. The current officers will continue in their leadership roles and schedule dates at the beginning of the new year.

During this past summer much of the world focused on the Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. Even though television is a low priority for me most of the time, these events did bring back memories. In 1982 the decision was made that the Tennessee 4-H program would participate in international programming. It was my good fortune that this was added to my job responsibilities and for the next twenty years it was a significant part of my life. Over the years more than 900 Tennessee 4-H families hosted Japanese exchange students (most between the ages of 12-15) and young adults from other countries all around the world, through the International 4-H Youth Exchange program. Starting in 1985, the first of dozens of Tennessee 4-H members traveled to Japan, many living with the family of the student that they had hosted. Parents of 4-H’ers often said that the child they sent to Japan was not the same person who returned! International travel is among the most educational activities possible for a person of any age and certainly teaches one to appreciate the culture of other countries as well as our own.

Looking back on these experiences and the two summers that I spent living in Japan (1985 and 1996), many of the lessons I learned still resonate today: 

• The language barrier is not a problem, especially with young people. The universal languages of laughter, smiles, and charades can help build friendships. Although the first Japanese chaperone who came to Tennessee did say, on the day of arrival, “Ruth-San, I thought I understood English, but I am not sure about southern English!”
• Families around the world are not all that different. They come in a variety of sizes, backgrounds, and outlooks. Participants learned that there is not necessarily a right or wrong way with customs and activities, but that we are different and can accept and learn from those differences.
• Food is also a universal language. Being open minded and flexible leads one to enjoy dishes that would never have been experienced otherwise. In 1982 the closest place to get authentic sushi was probably Atlanta, now most large groceries have a sushi chef. How life has changed! My strategy was to wait until after eating to ask what I had consumed. I enjoyed it all—from sashimi to the raw inside of sea urchin and pickled ginger and daikon. My only suggestion would be to add cheese and chocolate to the Asian diet.
• Everyday family activities were the most memorable part of the exchange program, even more so than sightseeing and tourist trips. Playing games, helping in the garden, swimming, taking care of pets and animals, helping in the kitchen were all enjoyed, as well as eating of course. An Extension agent called one day to ask, “How much corn on the cob can a 12-year-old Japanese boy eat and live?”
• Our culture and values are sometimes deeply instilled, and I learned about my own flexibility, or lack thereof. One day my Japanese host and I were riding the train into Tokyo. It was not rush hour and there was one open seat left in the train car. Her culture said that I was the honored guest and that I should sit in that seat. My culture said that, since she was older and less healthy, she should sit in that seat. Can you guess the outcome? We both stood up the entire trip!

During the Olympics I saw many sites that were part of my experience. But what I remember most is the hospitality and generosity of the people of Japan and the friendships created. In one of my Japanese host families there was a daughter in the seventh grade and she was beginning to study English. While I was there, she asked to record me reading her entire English book. Interestingly enough, she grew up to be an English teacher and I have always wondered if she has a southern accent.

Being part of UTIA has enriched all our lives in so many ways. If you have thoughts and stories that you would like to share about your experiences, I would be delighted to have them to use in future articles. My wish is for good health, happy days, and blessings for all in the days ahead.

Blessings on you all.
Ruth
Ruth Henderson McQueen