Study Tour to India

Murakami Reiko

Whenever I smiled at people, they smiled back at me in India, which always made me happy. So I smiled a lot during the tour. I was able to convey the message ‘I like you!' by smiling, getting closer, and taking their hands.

This is just an easy thing but sometimes I met an obstacle called ‘shyness' from myself and others. I was most excited to communication with people in India. At first we all felt shy but I surprised myself that I hugged them spontaneously when we parted. All of us, as human beings, have a desire in our hearts to have human relationships.. That is great, I think.

I had not been interested in any kind of religion up until then. The word ‘prayer' did not exist in my life at all. In India, I had a chance to visit churches and see people praying. I noticed that the faces of people praying are wonderful. There are various kinds of religions in the world and I think those who pray are at peace. I asked myself why don't I pray in daily life. One of the reasons is that I am not short of anything. I have never suffered from hunger.

I have lots of people to support me, including my family. Before I visited India, the world for me was just Japan. Now I see Japan as part of the world and I know that I am such a little thing.

During the tour, I wish I could have spoken English better. Until I was exposed to another culture, I had not realized the importance of language as a tool of communication. As long as I live on earth, I have to pay attention to the various problems in the world. I noticed this in India.

After I came back to my college life, I often thought of the members of the tour, especially the students from Utsunomiya University. Maybe I was destined to take a tour with them. Now I am trying to live my life to the full each and every day. I don't mean that I am never depressed or discouraged but I try my best every day. Strangely, I feel India and the sisters are very close to me in spite of the distance. It seems to me as if I watched a long movie about India.