2024 [Davao Study Tour] Parent Survey

Hi, this is Aya from GLI.

The recently heldDavao Study Tour, Philippinesrelated toIntroducing the "Parent Survey."I would like to do so! (*Number of responses: 9 as of August)

Q1: What did you expect from the tour?

Activities in nature that cannot be experienced in Japan, and meeting online teachers.

I would like you to step up your study abroad program and learn about different worlds.

Improve your English skills, broaden your horizons through the Philippines experience, and learn from living in a group.

Cross-cultural exchange and experience using English on a daily basis

I decided to participate in the program because I wanted the students to experience various things, such as being away from their parents, volunteer activities, and the differences between Japan and other countries.

I joined the tour in the hope that my child would grow up through his/her first trip away from his/her parents.

Experience abroad without parents and develop independence

To be able to communicate in English.　To be exposed to different cultures and broaden one's horizons.

To broaden one's horizons abroad, to be able to think and act independently, and to become accustomed to an English-speaking environment.

Q2: How would you rate the overall tour?

(5) Very good: 9 persons

Q3: Please write any comments or suggestions you have regarding the tour as a whole.

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I am very grateful that I was able to experience so many things that I would never have been able to experience in Japan. I think it was a very intense week. I think it was very hard work for you to plan and lead us to this point. I can't tell you how relieved I was with the daily updates of photos, videos, and reports. Thank you so much.

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It was helpful for me to be able to participate with just my child. It was also fun to make friends with children I didn't know in the same classroom and children from other classrooms.

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There were so many activities during my stay, from nature experiences to service activities, that it was hard to believe that I only had a week to experience so many things.

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The follow up before and during the tour (procedures, timely progress reports during the tour, etc.) was very generous to both parents and children, which made us feel at ease.

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This time #1 was his strong wish (to meet his online teacher in person!). I decided to participate in the program. I originally thought the program content was attractive, but in fact it was much more than that.

The many pictures and feedback from the teachers brought smiles and peace of mind to us in Japan. We appreciate the teachers' meticulous attention to detail!

He also felt that he had a valuable experience in all aspects, including the shocking differences between Japan and the Philippines (especially in terms of toilets). He was able to meet his online teacher, which he had longed for, and he is happy to say that he had a fulfilling and intense week. Seeing her smiling and excited face, I am very happy that we were able to participate in the program!

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It was a wonderful experience. The program was excellent.

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I am sorry that I became ill during my participation in the program and caused inconvenience and worry to the teachers who led the program. Thanks to your detailed reports, I was able to rest assured, and I am grateful to the guidance teachers, who have experience in child rearing, for watching over me.

I was pleased that she was able to make friends with her friends throughout the entire trip. Since this was the first time we sent the children abroad away from their parents, we hoped that they would develop a sense of independence, but I think they also had a heart-wrenching experience of getting sick away from their parents, which helped them to grow emotionally.

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Through numerous activities, I was able to see my daughter with various expressions on her face. I believe that what she gained was more significant than just improving her English skills.　It will be a memory for my daughter for the rest of her life. Thank you very much for your detailed guidance.

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During the camp, we received real-time photos and reports from the parents, which was very reassuring. The camp was able to experience social contribution activities, etc., which cannot be experienced on an individual trip, and sowed the seeds of interest in society and ideas in the children's minds. Many of the meals were fatty, and it would have been better if more vegetables were consumed. It would have been nice to know information on living conditions in advance, such as local toilet and shower conditions.

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Q4: How was the program?

(5) Very good: 7 persons
Good: 2 persons

Q5: Please select "3" activities that you particularly liked.

7/22: English Camp with teachers at Davao office: 2 votes
7/23: Community services (mangrove planting, sea turtle protection, beach cleaning): 5 votes
7/24: Maragos Resort (bird-watching, chocolate making): 4 votes
7/24: Eagle Center (Philippine Eagle Conservation Center): 1 vote
7/24: Eden Park (Sky Adventure, horseback riding): 5 votes
7/25: Samal Island Hopping: 5 votes
7/26: Cooking at the hotel: 1 vote
7/26: Final day farewell party: 4 votes

Q6: What was/wasn't good about it?

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I was very satisfied to experience unique local activities that I could not arrange on my own.

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I liked the variety of experiences and how much fun they all were. I wasn't sure how much English was used by the children.

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Good point→Making chocolate was a lot of fun and it was delicious. I had never seen bats before, but their faces were so cute. I was so happy when the bird rode on my head.

Bad point→There were a lot of insects, including at the hotel. Overall, the food was not good. But the halo-halo, whole roasted pig, and chocolates were great.

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He seemed to be bored with a lot of meat in the meal. They wanted to drink something other than water.

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Volunteer work and conservation activities were also one of the deciding factors for her participation. She was able to be involved in many activities, which added another new experience to her mind, but she really appreciated the experience because she feels it is important to see, feel, and learn about what is actually happening on the earth. There is nothing bad about it!

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I think the face-to-face experience with the online teachers was irreplaceable!

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Although some of the activities were not able to participate due to health problems, they were very satisfied with the fun at the beach that they had been looking forward to. At the party on the last day, they were very excited to be able to make a presentation in English.

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I liked that we were exposed to a lot of nature, activities that we could not have planned on a family vacation, and that we had time to reflect at the end of the trip.

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The children enjoyed themselves and had a lot of fun.
I learned that the problems around us, such as sea turtles eating plastic that they mistakenly think is jellyfish, are connected to the rest of the world.
I was able to actively participate in karaoke and gain confidence.
I was able to see the streets with street children and peddlers, and experience firsthand the real situation and sense of security in a foreign country, which is different from Japan, when I was with the safe teachers.

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Q7: How did the GLI staff respond to you from the preparation of your trip to the end of the tour?

(5) Very good: 9 persons

Q8: What did you like/dislike about it?

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The explanation was easy to understand and the departure was smooth.

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The procedures were explained in detail and were helpful. The announcements were made several times and I did not forget them.

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We appreciated the daily updates of photos and comments on our stay.

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We received generous explanations and guidance.

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Thank you very much for your assistance.
Anyway, we appreciate your meticulous support from the beginning to the end so that there is no anxiety for the parents who send their children off to school!

They kept us updated with all kinds of information about the immigration procedures and tried to make the process as smooth as possible. I felt very comfortable with the checks they did with us.

I can only express my gratitude to the staff for their thorough preparation and advice to the children, so that they were able to fly out of Narita without any anxiety and with so much excitement that they couldn't stop looking forward to the trip! I was looking forward to my stay in Japan every day, as you always shared photos of the local situation.

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I had no worries about the trip because of the orientation before the trip.

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They were very attentive to the preliminary briefing and sent me off with no worries at all. The good cost performance is also attractive!

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We thank you for watching over us while giving priority to his independence.

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The most important thing for us was that we were able to examine/deal with the contents for our child very carefully, and we are glad that we were able to entrust them to you with the utmost peace of mind and trust.

What would be nice to see improved:.
I would like to be provided with information and materials as soon as possible.
I would like the materials for the briefing to be shared prior to the briefing (I would like to read the materials in advance and have them at hand while listening to the explanation).
I would like information on how to apply to the embassy so that my parents don't have to take time off from work to do it twice.
I would like to see more detailed information such as what floor of the terminal the meeting place is on. Also, the alphabet on the counter was different from the picture, so I was confused.

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Q9: How did you find the local staff?

(5) Very good: 7 persons
Good: 2 persons

Q10: What did you like/dislike about it?

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Daily photo and video uploads and reports

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That many people were supportive and kind.

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I am very glad that I was able to take the online English conversation course in advance, so that I could have a preliminary knowledge of what to do and what kind of food to eat during my stay, which made me look forward to visiting Davao even more.

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They were very cheerful, friendly and easy to spend time with.

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The children were always under the watchful eyes of many teachers there, and they were able to spend their time without any worries. This is especially true when going out to the beach or to the city, which is a different environment from Japan. As a parent, I felt a great sense of security in protecting my child from danger.
I would like to thank the online teachers for always creating an enjoyable environment for the children and treating them with kindness and warmth! I think it showed in my tears on the last day ^_^.

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We greatly appreciate your very friendly and dedicated attendance to our children!

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I also felt the heartfelt hospitality of the meals they prepared for us. The way she spent time with the children showed that she treated them with love. I was very impressed to see that you are involved in the same way in your daily online lessons.

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It was nice to meet the online teacher in person. We are looking forward to making progress in future lessons.

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The number of teachers was very large, and I felt very safe because each child received individual attention and care.
The flight was delayed on the day of arrival, but they were very helpful until late at night.

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Q11: Did your child grow after participating in the program?

(5) I think it was very good: 5
I think there were: 3
(3) Can't say: 1

Q12: What do you think has changed/grown?

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I feel more aware than before that I can take care of myself.

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He also wants to go back to the Philippines and other countries.

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I think the most important growth was that I was able to experience foods and experiences for the first time and develop a challenging spirit to try my best to communicate in English.

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They felt the differences in food and culture between Japan and the Philippines, and also reconfirmed the advantages of Japan. (Especially food)

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Since I have only been back home for a short time, I can't say that there is a big difference! However, I think he has noticed and acted more on his own since he was away from his parents for a week than he does on a daily basis! I am looking forward to seeing some small changes and big changes in the future.

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Changes in speech and independence are felt.

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They left with a lot of anxiety, but came back very satisfied, saying they were glad they went. I am sure there were moments when they felt uneasy, but they seemed to have made it through the whole trip without talking about it at all. I feel that they are developing a strong and challenging spirit.

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There has been no dramatic change, and she is back to her usual lazy self - but there must be something left in her mind, and I hope she will be able to think back on it later and become a more open-minded person.

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I could do my best to do my own thing while putting up with the loneliness of having friends all around me.

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Q13: After returning home, what topics came up most in your interactions with your children regarding the tour?

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I practice every day so I don't forget the hand games in the Philippines.

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Durian smelled bad.

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They talked about many things, but they vividly recounted their various first experiences, including having a bird on their heads, the strong smell of bat droppings, their slight dislike of durian, and their courageous jump into the sea from a high place.

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Meals, hotel living fair well party

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Anyway, the toilets seemed to be a shock to him, and after returning to Japan, he was very impressed with the cleanliness of Japanese toilets and talked about it a lot😅.

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It's about daily interactions with friends, the climate in the Philippines, and online teachers!

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They experienced firsthand the difference between the city and Japan in terms of appearance, wealth, and so on.

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Shopping was fun, I enjoyed zip-lining back and forth, I learned Filipino, I was able to order my own food at McDonald's, etc.

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A story about being in touch with colorful birds

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Q14: If you were to recommend such a tour to others, how much would you recommend it?

(5) Definitely worth attending: 6
Worth attending: 3

Q15: If you answered that it is (definitely) worth attending, what would you recommend and what comments would you make?

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I believe that it is because we are a group that we are able to do what we do, and the time we spent searching together with our friends is a treasure that will last a lifetime.

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The child becomes independent with lots of support and warm teachers.

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Not only did she experience many activities, but she was also exposed to Filipino people and culture, and her worldview was broadened. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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Of course the English skills are good, but the amount of activities is just amazing. It was hard to believe that the program was only a week long, and I think it was the kind of learning experience that only GLI can provide!

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I believe that meeting the online teachers is an experience that cannot be replaced by any other. I don't think it's easy to have such a moving experience in elementary school!

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It was a well-designed and varied program that tried to stretch the child in a way that other tours do not.

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The fact that the child was able to go abroad away from his parents gives him confidence.

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Thank you for your response!