Internationalmatt's Blog

Goodbye Week for Uncle Yoshio- Moved Back to Japan

Goodbye Lunch

After 6 years in Lincoln Yoshio returned to Japan last Saturday. He leaves having made many friends here from many countries. His nickname with the young people was Uncle Yoshio. Some of them would call him when they needed help to go shopping. He was always willing to help with driving people to activities or class. His goodbye lunch had people from America, China and Vietnam. At the airport he was greeted by people from America, Belgium, China, Japan and Vietnam.

at the airport with Thuy's family

Thuy came with her family. Thuy and Yoshio were together in a class of mine about 5 years ago. Yoshio worked with Thuy’s husband. They were like a family away from home for Yoshio.

with Brigitte at the airport

I went out to the airport to say goodbye Yoshio. He was the last of a a fun group. The others have moved back to their countries. It speaks well of him that people from diverse places wanted to say goodbye.

When I meet a new friend from another country who is here working or on a student visa, I know the time will come we say goodbye. The times between initially meeting someone and saying goodbye make it all worthwhile though. Our friends had a lot of fun with Yoshio such as trips to the Omaha Zoo, Mahoney State Park and for lunches. I am sure Yoshio will make new friends in his new city in Japan.

November 17, 2011 - Posted by internationalmatt | Chinese friends, Experiences of international friends, international students, Internationals, Japanese friends, Vietnamese friends