SWY 19 - Perceptions

With 13 cultures mixing on board, describe a culture that has drawn your interest or one that you've learned a lot about.   Describe your experience(s) with this culture.

I learned a lot about Islam and changed my prejudices. I fell in love with the Egyptian and the Yemeni delegates. I learned so much about life in the Middle East and was fascinated by their way of living according to their faith. I am presently in Cairo at one of the delegates houses for 3 months, so I am pleased to say Egypt changed my life on SWY 19.  - Jesika, SWY19

On board Nippon Maru, all our cultures slowly started to fuse together, so I was equally drawn to each one of the distinct cultures (including Canada). I became quite close to the Fijian people, they seemed to share many of my core values and morals. In addition they insisted on learning about my native heritage and they taught me about Fiji. I learned some of their dances and language while they could even pronounce kwakwalla(my langauge). They are true warriors of spirit who have had the same problems and a similar history with settlers as my people.  - Justin, SWY19

At the start of the program we were given the opportunity to meet all the foreign participants and the Japanese were not present until the last few days before departure.  This can create an atmosphere where you may tend to stick more to the OPY's (non-Japanese), as you have created many bonds by the time you meet the Japanese.  When the opportunity came to meet the JPY's(Japanese), their were over 120 waiting to meet us, literally at the bus waiting to meet us.  Yes, this can be overwhelming, however, I encourage that you do not let it prevent you from getting to know the JPY's.  Many of them are AMAZING people with experiences, stories, and friendships that will blow you away.  - Kimberly, SWY19

I came away from SWY with a greater cultural sensitivity. Even some opinions and comments that I would find personally offensive weren't a problem on the ship, because I understood their cultural origins. This was a feeling that I had never experienced at home.   - Jess, SWY19
 

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