Now and then, the teachers and students would go out to collect litter off the streets. So we're off gathering garbage and there was not much. Japan is a very clean country. The kids would be so excited when they found a wrapper and they'd shout "Atta!"

One girl was in 4th grade and not one of my students. But, she struck up a conversation with me. I was absolutely floored, her English was impeccable. We talked about this and that, really holding an actual conversation in English. Her English was better than some of the adults. She cheerfully told me "I want to move to America when I grow up. So, I study English."

I wonder about her sometimes. If she ever got to realize her dream of coming to America.....