Hello 日本
C.O.E.
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Tonight I got a call from Marion, the new national director of ASSE Canada. She told me that she had finally got the C.O.E.s from Japan and that she had sent them off today! So I should be getting my C.O.E. sometime this week. Hopefully it will arrive in time to get my visa and still go to Italy. I desperately want to go, but this is cutting it so short. I’m thinking I may have to use my Dutch passport for the Italy trip instead of my Canadian one, if EF Tours allows that. Because that may have to be the case. Eeek!
In other news, I’ve met a really nice girl on Facebook named Amy, who is going with ASSE to Sakai, Osaka, Japan. She’s fairly close by and super nice (we have an oddly large amount of things in common) so I’m excited (Hi Amy if you’re reading this! 
).
Tezukayama Gakuin Izumigaoka Senior High School
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I came home from grocery shopping with my mum this evening to find the best surprise ever!
Marion had emailed me my host school information as well as an inbound to Japan handbook of sorts (mostly stuff I already knew).
I also found out that I have orientation in Tokyo for 5 days before I either fly or take the Shinkansen to Osaka.
So my school is called Tezukayama Gakuin Izumigaoka Senior Highschool and it is a junior/senior highschool for boys and an international senior high school for girls. Here is a short webpage on the school. I am really happy that the school is providing my uniform, textbooks, and schoolbag. I only need to buy indoor shoes, commuting shoes, and gym shoes. There is also a cafeteria and a school store. There is no info about the school trip, but the website says the trip for girls is to Korea! It would be so amazing if I got to go.
Edit: I found the official school website…It looks so fancy!!
New National Director…?
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Since I hadn’t heard anything from Ben for a while, I emailed him on Sunday to find out what was happening. I got this interesting response…
Hello Anje
I am the new National Director for ASSE Canada & will be taking over for Ben.
Ben has retired to enjoy his senior years.
As to your question for your COE , I have sent a note to Japan with an inquiry as to where we are on them.
As they do not have any control over the government system, they too are awaiting word.
As soon as the documentation is received & shall send it along priority mail.
Have you had contact with your local area rep?
Please let me know.
Thanks
Marion Kozub
ASSE Canada
Well then! That was quite unexpected. But I already like Marion a lot, because she replied to my reply saying,
Anje
We have another student that is destined for Japan, from the Ontario area. Would you be comfortable on sharing your email address with them? All will be traveling from the same airport LAX.
We have a girl from QC that will be meeting there as well.
I have contacted our regional coordinator to make sure you have a local area representative .
Thanks
Marion Kozub
I am super excited to know that there is another exchanger in this area going to Japan! And that we will fly together!!!
Shopping Fun
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On Monday evening, Mum and I drove to Barrhaven for some shopping. We went to Winners, where we basically attacked the clearance racks and ended up spending over 300$ together. Anyway, we bough some really nice stuff for really good deals. Mum bought me a warm, fluffy down coat, a green plaid peacoat, a green hat that matches the peacoat, a pair of green 3/4 sweat pants, and a cool waterproof zip up sweater. I bought myself a cute grey hat, a funky pattern blouse, a long-sleeved white shirt, and a long-sleeved blue shirt.
Then we went to Walmart where I bought some socks and other unmentionables 
I’m really happy with all the buys, I think they’re good things for both Italy and Japan. Now I just need to buy some pants!
Quest for the Visa Continues…
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Ever since I sent out my C.O.E. I have been obsessing day and night about getting my visa. Since Ben has failed to email me back (I’m sure he’s avoiding me), I emailed the consulate today to ask a few questions…
Dear Anje, Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant at the Japanese mission in your jurisdiction.
At the Embassy of Japan located in Ottawa, it normally takes three business days to process an application with Certificate of Eligibility (CE).
You must submit;
- valid passport
- one passport size photograph
- Visa application form (http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/apply-form.pdf)
- original CE
*Canadian passport holders are exempted from visa fees.
Thank you.
在カナダ日本大使館 領事班
Consular Affairs/Visa Section
Embassy of Japan in Canada
I am super happy to know that it only takes 3 days and it is randomly awesome that Canadian passport holders don’t have to pay a fee!!
In other Japan-related news, I have started buying some small, but necessary items for my exchange (make-up bag, 50ml travel-size bottles of shampoo, etc.).
I still need to do a big shopping trip sometime before I leave for Italy to get clothes and stuff.
Also, a bunch of us are organizing an Asian Travelling Notebook – a notebook that we send around and each write in. I think it will be tons of fun! Right now things aren’t organized too well because not many people know exactly where they’re going yet.
Travel Coupon
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Last night Mum and I went to get the mail and I got a letter from ASSE. It had this “travel coupon” inside. Basically the travel coupon is to inform ASSE of my plans for going to LA (where my flight to Narita, Japan is leaving from).
Only thing is, I can’t fill out the darn paper because I DON’T HAVE MY VISA!!! ARGH!
One of the other girls going to Japan (with a different program) said that there was still plenty of time to get the visa. I reeeeallly hope so because otherwise it’s going to make a mess of my trip to Europe and my exchange. So I emailed Ben and asked him how things were going. Still no response. I also emailed the host family back while I was at it
Anyhow, here’s my flight info, officially!
17-Mar-08
United Airlines Flight #891
Departs: Los Angeles Intl. 12PM (LAX)
Arrives: Narita 3:55PM 18-Mar (NRT)
Yaaaay, a whole day on a plane :S
