By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A fascination with martial arts led a Hays High School student to take advantage of a 4-H program to travel to Japan this summer.
Isaac Moreno, 16, practices Aikido at Aikido of Northwest Kansas. He said he has long been fascinated with Asian cultures.
From gigantic fireworks displays to intricate shrine carvings, Moreno experienced the culture and people of Japan.
Moreno's trip was part of a 4-H International Youth Exchange. He spent four weeks in Ibaraki prefecture, which is on the east coast of Japan, close to Tokyo.
This was Moreno's first time flying and the first time he remembers seeing the ocean. He visited Florida when he was 5 but said he didn't remember the trip.
Moreno stayed with a host family while in Japan. He experienced daily life with them as well as went sightseeing.
They visited the giant Buddha statue, Ushiku Daibutsu, in Ushiku, Ibaraki. The bronze Buddha is 120 meters tall and the world's largest bronze statue of Buddha.
He also visited the Sky Tree in Tokyo, which stands 634 meters tall. The tower offers an observation deck with sweeping views of the city.
"You can see all around the city, and part of it is a glass floor," Moreno said.
He also attended the city of Mito's Komon Festival, which featured parades, dancing and fireworks.
He said sitting on the roof of his host family's home and watching the elaborate fireworks display was his favorite experience of the trip.
He went to school with one of his host brothers, who was in the sixth grade, for four days. He attended classes as well as played basketball with his host brother and his classmates.
He also met with students in the English Club. The students learn English through children's songs and stories. While Moreno was in Japan, the students were learning the story of Tom Sawyer.
"They had this CD they would play, and the kids would memorize the English and the Japanese of it," Moreno said.
The students studied math and English, as well as Japanese-specific classes such as calligraphy.
He also watched local students practice Aikido and Judo during an afterschool club at the school.
Moreno knows little Japanese, but his host family spoke both English and Japanese.
Daily dinners consisted of a bowl of rice or miso soup with fish or lean meat, which was eaten with chopsticks. The family didn't serve beef.
Moreno has been a 4-H member for six years. He is the president of his club, the Big Creek Astros Club in Hays.
Moreno participates in 4-H photography and took many photographs during his trip to Japan. He also participates in the club's regular service projects, including singing Christmas carols during the holidays to seniors in nursing care.
He said he is eagerly looking forward to more travel. 4-H also offers an exchange trip to Norway, and Moreno said he would like to visit there as well.
Although his interest still lies in Asia, he would like to visit China to learn about its culture and history.
Moreno encouraged other 4-Hers to explore the opportunities for travel through the 4-H International Youth Exchange. The program is in significant need of host families in the United States to accept exchange students from other countries.
You can learn more about being a host family by contacting your local K-State Extension agent for 4-H. In Hays, you can call 785-628-9430.