It is very clear that social media opens up channel of communication and help us to stay connected globally. Social media has played the role of making the world a small place. As BCIO Assistant Manager, I am working towards connecting with JAs from New Zealand to update them about the monthly virtual activities of BCIO so that they can involve in and revisit Fukuoka as a Peace Ambassador. After skimming through data of NZ JAs 2013, I contacted Deejay over the Facebook message board. Appreciating his prompt reply, we connected instantly over a video call. It was great to know the story of Deejay, though he is from NZ, currently lives in Australia and works for famous furniture company. He is very much in touch with his host family and his host brother visited him in Australia. He had plans to visit them too in Fukuoka, unfortunately was dropped because of the pandemic. He feels that his host family is his second parent who took care of him very well as a JA. He was keen to connect with his APCC fellows by engaging in BCIO activities over social media and monthly virtual activities. It always feels amazing when you share the same feeling for your host family as your APCCmate feel. I share more than two decades of bonding with my host family, they visited me in India and every time I visit when in Fukuoka, their doors are always open for me to stay in with them. It is a blessing.

Written by: Nidhi Parekh
JA 1998
Country: India