Dear Akira, First, let me give you the good news: the matter of your joining us has been cleared by the Board of Management of our school, and you’ll be my classmate for the whole of August! From what I know of you, I don’t think you’ll have much of a problem adjusting to our school—your outgoing nature and your fluency in English will help you make friends very fast. Like yours, our school begins at 8. 30 am, and we finish classes at 3. 10 pm—just ten minutes later than yours. Again, just like you, we have three school terms in a year, and you’ll actually be joining us in the latter part of our second term. I remember you writing to me that, at the end of classes, you and your friends clean up your school.
Though that seems to be an excellent educational idea to me, that’s something we aren’t generally required to do here. I know your favourite sport is baseball. Unfortunately, we don’t play the game here, although we’re crazy about a game somewhat similar to it—in fact I believe baseball originated from this very game: cricket. Maybe I don’t really need to tell you all this because Japan, after all, does have its own national cricket team! Football is as popular here as I’ve heard it is in Japan; and then there’s table tennis and badminton. I must tell you, though, that on 15 August, we celebrate our Independence Day.
So, much of the first half of the month goes into preparing for it and other co-curricular activities are pushed to the background. But I think the preparations themselves will be quite an experience for you. As for studies, I know Japan has a very high standard, and it will be interesting to see how you feel about the standard of academics here.
Well, Akira, I can’t wait to meet you! Your friend, Neil
