A Series of Firsts with Rikako

Our AHN guest / student Rikako arrived from Japan as scheduled in September 2024. And with the greatest of ease, she quickly fit into my life and with my family and friends.

While Rikako’s English was better than my Japanese ( which is nil) , I thought it would be helpful if I connected her to my previous student Hannah so that Rikako would feel welcomed and comfortable with me. Hannah and I still keep in touch as I also do with Tommo , another student I hosted who was here for a short time honing her English. I am extremely fortunate with my AHN ‘pairings’ as the young women I have hosted have been nothing short of spectacular. And it was a relief to me to know that Rikako already had a friend as such who could speak her language and openly get cultural guidance from another student who ‘lived with me’.

Now back to Rikako’s arrival in Sydney, I should confess ( if not proclaim) that I am a lifetime lover and owner of dogs. So that is a key point on my profile for hosting students: they “must like” (if not LOVE) dogs for this arrangement to work. Rikako, I learned, has never had a dog before in her life.

However she quickly embraced life with me and my love of them. She enthusiastically would offer to walk Nellie with me when her schedule of English classes (and later work) would allow. I was relieved and seriously, immediately impressed by her genuine interest and keenness to embrace this new experience so joyously.

Rikako, I’ve learned, is a doer and wonderfully open to new experiences. Less than a month after her arrival we were celebrating the first birthday of my grandson in mid October. My daughter and I decided to mark this major occasion by making our version of the famous Women’s Weekly swimming pool cake, but our inspiration was the Dawn Fraser pool in Balmain. It was then – while doing our practice run that shy, unassuming Rikako let us know that she is a trained Baker / Pastry chef!!!. Soooo, sheepishly and without hesitation we handed over the palette knife and let her at it. It was a fun moment and the cake was a great success enjoyed by all!!! She has subsequently impressed us all with her choux pastry abilities and by making chocolate eclairs for us on several occasions!

Some additional “first experiences” for Rikako included Halloween which my neighbourhood enthusiastically celebrates. Rikako loved seeing all the kids in costumes and enjoyed handing out the sweets to the children. Then in late November, we celebrate Thanksgiving by hosting a dinner with close friends and family. It was Rikako’s first Thanksgiving and without hesitation Rikako was there helping us wherever needed. She loved meeting new people and yes, even a few new dogs! By the time Christmas arrived she was already part of our clan. It was her first Christmas and I know she loved it all! The Christmas tree, the music, the little gift exchanges and a lovely luncheon in the back garden under the Jacaranda with family and dogs ( My daughter’s dog Ernie and her husband’s Parents dog Monty). An absolutely exquisitely perfect day on so many levels.

We are now only a couple of weeks away from Easter. And this will be another First for Rikako! I know she will love being included and celebrating as we do in our family with a little Easter Egg hunt and dinner with family and few friends and of course….dogs!!

Thank You Australian Homestay Network!

Denise, Sydney Host

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