Ami Sukisaki is leaving Quesnel and is going as far as possible without leaving the country.
By the time this goes to press Sukisaki will be on her way to Prince Edward Island to sample life in the maritimes; she will, however, miss the wild west.
“I met many nice people in Quesnel and they supported my life here. I really thank and definitely miss them,” she said.
Working at Shiraoi House and representing her culture has not only forced her to speak English better, but has encouraged her to become more knowledgeable about her own culture.
Strangely enough, since coming to Quesnel, Sukisaki has not only learned about Canada, but been pushed to learn a little bit more about where she came from.
“I was surprised and impressed that visitors to Shiraoi house were interested in Japanese culture; some had more knowledge than I expected.
“It motivated me to study about Japanese culture more and study English so I could explain it,” she said.
“I don’t think I could have had these experiences in any other place.
“These will be useful when I introduce people to Japanese culture in the future.”
She will, however, always recall her time here with fondness, and all the plethora of new activities she was part of here.
“While I spent the summer in Quesnel, I enjoyed many events including The Billy Barker Days Festival and visited many places.”
And being from Japan, a country far more densely populated than ours, the array of wildlife in our backyard was particularly memorable for her.
“Seeing many wild animals like black bears, deer, humming birds, squirrels and many birds on the lake were also good experiences for me,” she said.
The Quesnel/Shiraoi Twinning Society is now looking for a new volunteer to help out at the Shiroai House.
Currently, Jun Ito is holding down the fort at the house.
written by Observer Reporter Jonas Gagnon