As part of travels in Japan, I set aside a day in which students can find their way on public transportation and across Kyoto. The day is there own…to create or imagine in whatever way they wish. In the past students have stayed in the house, wandered to Nishiki Market, gone to museums, temples, shrines, or even gone to a movie. The day is theirs in whatever way that looks.
ON this day, this year, students went to all corners of the city; whether it was Kyoto Station, Aeon Mall, or manga shops. We all found our own path, whatever that was. This decision, to allow for freedom to be a part of the city, has been questioned by many. “Is it wise to allow such freedom for students in a city?” “What if something happens?” You can imagine all of the possible negatives to giving young students the freedom to find their way. After more than seventeen years of this approach, I can say that everyone has arrived safe and unharmed. OF course, we’re in a very safe place; Kyoto and Japan generally is about as safe a place as it gets in the world. Too, my approach from the beginning of the trip is empowering students to make their own choices: food, shopping, things to see, etc. I have an itinerary and we have the chance to make choices from day one. There is some risk and I am confident in their behavior, their ability, and the setting.
So, what did people do? I’ll upload photos from people as soon as I get them!
Here are a few to much on until I’ve got more to upload:
gentryfunkblog 