The "I'm home" sounded a little more grown up than it should have.
That was my first thought when I saw my child returning from Izena Island. An educational trip for a few days. And yet, the language, the behavior, the sparkle in their eyes...... were somehow different.
In fact, the number of parents who say that their children have "changed" after their overnight stay experience on Izena Island is increasing every year.
In this issue, we will introduce "Growth Opportunities" as seen from the perspective of parents.
A change in daily life where "thank you" comes out of my mouth naturally.
At the dinner table after returning home, I suddenly heard "Gochisosama" and "Arigato" (thank you).
We have received comments from several families that small words of gratitude have increased in their daily lives that they used to take for granted. It is likely that the realization that "someone has done something for me" during the course of living with hosts on Izena Island has become directly expressed in their words.
Why my parents started helping me with household chores without telling me.
"Do you want me to fold your laundry?" What's for dinner tonight? I'll help you.
Many parents have been surprised to hear such voices after the trip.
On Izena Island, the main focus is on experiences that are naturally integrated by the students themselves as part of their daily lives, such as cooking and helping out in the family business. Through the time spent moving with their hosts, I feel that 'moving' became a natural part of their lives at home as well.
The night I started choosing to talk to my family over my phone.
This happened to me today.
The child who usually opened his phone and kept quiet started talking on his own.
Such voices were also impressive. Perhaps life on Izena Island was more than a screen, it was a time to realize that there is warmth in "conversations with people. Talking with the hosts while looking at the stars, the time for dinner when we laughed together. Such experiences are the catalyst for dialogue at home.
