My experience with Kumon Kokusai High-Schoolers

Written by our Intern: Aston Ong

My exchange experience with Japanese high school students gave me the opportunity to witness, firsthand, aspects of their day-to-day practices and culture. Beyond learning about Japan through conversations and activities, I was able to observe how their cultural values were reflected in their behaviour and interactions with others.

One of the qualities that stood out to me was their respectfulness and thoughtfulness, both towards themselves and the people around them. They consistently greeted instructors and teachers with properness and formality, showing a strong sense of respect for those in positions of responsibility. Their mannerisms made me realise how deeply respect and courtesy are valued in Japanese culture.

I was also struck by how sincerely they apologised, even when they had caused only a minor inconvenience. One particular incident demonstrated this clearly. A Japanese student had accidentally been separated from his peers and became lost in Suntec City. When he was eventually found and led back to the Merlion, he apologised profusely to the group for the trouble he had caused. Although the situation was not entirely his fault, he appeared genuinely sorry that everyone had to spend time deciding where and how to find him. His reaction showed me how seriously he took his responsibility towards others.

Another quality I noticed was their commitment to punctuality and schedules. They made a clear effort to follow the planned timetable and arrive on time for activities. This sense of discipline was something I admired, as it showed consideration for the time and plans of the people around them.

At the same time, I found the students to be amicable and easy to interact with. Despite differences in language and cultural background, conversations felt natural and enjoyable. They were also open-minded and willing to learn about cultures, traditions and practices that differed from their own. Rather than being hesitant about unfamiliar customs, they showed genuine curiosity and interest in understanding them.

To summarise, my exchange with the Japanese students was more than simply an opportunity to meet people from another country. It allowed me to observe values such as respect, sincerity, punctuality, friendliness and open-mindedness in everyday situations. The experience gave me a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture and also encouraged me to be more understanding towards others whom I may not be able to communicate with fluently.