Taking Hisa in USA (Closed)

Note to Readers: Anything in "Green" will be the translation of Japanese to English.


"Do you have everything you need, Hisa Eri?" Hisa's kind father, Mr. Moto asked.

Hisa checked the small stack of clothes, toiletries, hair brush and two extra pair of shoes. Her parents surprised her with a new suitcase, four outfits and a laptop. "Yes, Father. I have everything. I don't need the new clothes but I love them."

She stopped packing to give her father a hug. He held onto her small frame and patted her head. "We love you. I don't know how your mother will be without you at home for a year. I know you'll make us proud."

Hisa pulled back and smiled at her father. She pushed off on her toes to reach his cheek and kissed it. "The year will fly by! I'll study hard, learn how to speak English well and come back home to test for college. I may even try to go to University of Tokyo." she teased her Father gently. It would take great luck to land a scholarship to one of the best universities in the country but that would not stop Hisa from trying her best.

Mr. Moto smiled proudly at his only daughter. The whole family had worked hard for her to enter the foreign exchange student program. It was worth the longer hours at work and extra work that Hisa had to do in order to get the opportunity. Hisa Eri shared her parents' dreams of her succeeding and making a mark for herself in the business world. Having a chance to go to the United States and learn there is a chance that will only help her to make her dreams true.

"Best get ready to go, Hisa Eri. We have to take a cab to the airport in 20 minutes." he said as he left her small room.

Hisa took extra care in folding the three pairs of jeans, two t-shirts, one blouse, one dress, four simple bras, seven white cotton panties and five pairs of white ankle socks into the suitcase. The large suitcase was easy to pack and it still had room left in it once she was done. Hisa looked around her room.

They lived in a small two bedroom apartment in a smaller subdivision of the city. Her room was just big enough for her to have a small bed, closet and desk. Every bit of space was used for something multi-functional. As she looks at her books, stuffed animals, music cds and posters--Hisa realized that she won't be seeing anything familiar for a whole year. The thought made her sad and thrilled her at the same time. She wondered if the United States of America was like the shows and movies she had watched.

She picked up the oldest stuff animal she's ever had, Mr. Bear. It's really a golden lion with a bushy mane around his comical face but she thought he was a bear as a child and named him Mr. Bear. "You should come with me, Mr. Bear. I can hug you when I get homesick."

She carefully put the old lovable lion into the suitcase. She added a coat and towel, and zipped the suitcase close. For some reason, it almost felt like she had tucked away all her treasures. Hisa checked herself in the mirror hanging on the door. She shoulder length, black hair with bangs wasn't a fizzy mess. She learned that the weather would be warmer in the USA than it was in Tokyo. It was easy enough to find clothes to layer. She had put on sturdy blue jeans, a red plaid button up shirt, a warm cashmere gray sweater vest, black boots and her black winter coat. Hisa nodded to her reflection. She's ready.

Hisa pulled on her red bookbag over her shoulders and pulled the suitcase to join her parents in the living room. "I'm ready,"


Hisa checked the printout with the information about her travel to Boston. She had packed away her winter coat and sweater. It had been much warmer on the plane. Her host family were suppose to meet her at the airport and would have a sign up with her name on it. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson.

Unfortunately, she didn't know what they looked like and she was very tired from the trip. The change in altitude had made her stomach upset and she had spent a good portion of the trip with a headache and couldn't hold any food down. Now a dull ache throbbed behind her brown eyes and she felt hollow inside. The stewardess had been wonderful and gave her some medicine for her headache. Hisa had passed the time by watching the movies and listening to music. It was not a good beginning to her adventure but it would not stop her. She straightened her narrow shoulders, shifted her bookbag to a more comfortable spot on her back, pulled her suitcase and clutched the letter and passport. She looked around her but everything was familiar and unfamiliar. Sound came from every direction and it became a jumble of words that lost all meaning. Everything was in English. It was overwhelming.

She made it to the United States but she did not know what to do. Her host family was nowhere in sight.

A tall, older white man with strong features, graying hair and large eyes held a sign:


It took her a moment to realize that was her name in English. Between the headache from the flight and the bombardment of unfamiliar language, Hisa Eri felt utterly lost and exhausted.

"Hisa Eri?" the strange man said. It sounded like he said 'hi-ee-saw ee-rye'.

Haltingly, afraid to speak English badly, Hisa Eri slowly said, "Hello. I am Moto Hisa Eri." (Moe-toe He-sah Air-ee)

"Welcome to America," he smiled briefly.

"Thank you. I am happy to be here." She tried to smile back but it was hard to do when she wasn't feeling well. She didn't want to be rude. She guessed that this was one of her exchange hosts.

"You speak English right?" Donald asked.

"Yes. I speak English. Uh, please excuse me. Speak slowly and I understand." she replied. He said something fast and she wasn't sure if she understood what he meant. Before she knew it, the older man took her bag and walked quickly.

"How was your flight? Are you hungry?"

He had much longer legs than she did and she found herself working to keep up with his pace. Sweat broke out over her as she almost ran to stay right behind him.

"Uhm the airplane ok. I not sleep. I am very tired and hungry. May I get food?" she asked breathlessly. She didn't have a chance to look around the airport or anything else. One minute they were inside and the next she was standing next to a black SUV. She took off her book bag and put it in the floor of the passenger seat before climbing into the vehicle. He stopped her from putting on the seat belt and did it for her. It felt strange. No one has done that for her since she was a child.

The man had to repeat his question before Hisa Eri understood what he wanted. Her face brightened up with understanding and she nodded her head, sending her shoulder length dark hair to sway around her small face. She opened a middle pocket of her book bag and took out her passport and Japanese school ID. "This? You keep safe?"

He nodded and took them from her. She leaned back into the seat and felt her body relax slightly. She is actually in the United States of America and starting her study abroad. It still felt like a dream to her. She opened her eyes and looked at her host. He seemed like a good man but very different than anyone she has known. "Mister? I head hurt. May I stop to buy head medicine? Also food and drink? I not eat since Tokyo. I am very hungry, sir."