I came to Japan last August. First, I was surprised by the humidity. My skin got sticky even while I was just standing. I had never experienced this heat in Mongolia. Seeing high rise and busy traffic, I gradually felt it was real, that I was really Japan.

For three months, from September to November, we studied Japanese and Japanese sign language. Our Japanese teacher did not know how to use sign language, so we communicated using body language and simple sign language when we studied. I reviewed and wrote over and over again what I learned and had it corrected by the teacher. Through these efforts, I could understand Japanese little by little. The teacher became good at using sign language, too. He explained simple Japanese sentences in sign language, which helped me to understand Japanese better. We had four teachers to teach us sign language. They taught us Japanese culture and manners as well. I found them quite different from those of Mongolia, which I thought was interesting.

I wanted to improve my skill in using a PC in Japan, so I was excited to know that we were going to have the computer training. Our teacher had difficulty in hearing. He carefully taught us about software and Internet using sign language. All I learned in this training was very valuable to me. I was taught a new skill I had not learned in Mongolia. When I return home, I plan to teach as many deaf people as possible the computer skills I acquired in Japan.

I skied for the first time in Japan. I was impressed to see the world of white snow surrounding me. I fell many times at first as I skied while not really knowing how to ski. The instructor taught us how to speed down and stop. On the second day my body ached all over. Yet skiing was very enjoyable and I tried hard. It was a three-day tour and I wished I could have spent as long as a week. Skiing is a sport the handicapped people are able to enjoy if some necessary devices are added. The visually impaired people are guided by the instructor’s voice and sound. The people in wheelchairs use a bi-ski which has a rope and the instructor behind the bi-ski controls speed and makes a turn using the rope. I was very amazed to see both the visually impaired people and people in wheel chairs skiing as I had never seen it before. It was great that every one of us could go and enjoy skiing.

At the All Japan Deaf-Mute League, we learned its history and organization. Staff members carefully answered my questions. The Mongolia Deaf Association is young and still under development. Knowing about All Japan Deaf-Mute League’s various activities gave me ideas on what I should do when I return home.

At Donguri, deaf and dumb people were working. They sew, bake, empty, and crush empty can. They get paid for their work. Their workdays are from Monday through Friday. Some of them go home over the weekend. Seeing them reminded me of my childhood. There is no deaf school in small villages in Mongolia, so deaf people have to go to school far away from home. Students live in a dormitory from Monday to Friday and go home on Saturday and Sunday.

As I had been interested in the making of subtitles, my experience of seeing the production process, touching machines, and asking questions to staff members at the Center deepened my interest. The staff’s continuous effort to make better subtitles for the deaf people touched me. The video library is very interesting. Deaf people can rent videos with subtitles for free if they complete necessary procedures. I think it is a great service. Unfortunately, it is not yet available in Mongolia.

I wanted to study not only at deaf people’s associations but also at centers of physically handicapped people. Knowing the purpose of organization and management systems of other handicapped people’s groups enabled me to see and compare differences. But there are very few groups which aim at providing information to deaf people. When I was told to study at Mainstream Association, I was very worried whether I could communicate well. But as soon as my training began、all my anxieties vanished. There was a deaf person among the staff members. When I took lectures, a sign language interpreter was arranged to assist me. Thanks to such help, I could understand the lectures very well.

At this center, normal people with a strong determination to support the deaf people are studying to master sign language. In sign language class, voice language is not used. In such a difficult situation people were studying very hard. They learn little by little how to use sign language. I was very moved by their strenuous efforts.

The head teacher explained the history of the school. When I observed the special training course, I was very surprised because at the vocational school in Mongolia you cannot choose what you are going to learn. It is fixed according to gender—in other words, boys learn woodworking and girls sewing, whereas in Japan students choose the course regardless of gender.

Both the individual training and the group training deepened my knowledge and broadened my mind. I want to thank the people concerned for their kind assistance.

All of us were willing to speak and discuss topics, so we decided to establish a network. It will be useful when we go back home. For instance, when a handicapped person in Mongolia is having a problem and we cannot find a way to resolve it, we can ask for advice via our network.

I would like to sincerely thank the people at Japan Handicapped Rehabilitation Association and the Duskin AINOWA Foundation for their assistance during the year. The people I met in Japan were all kind and supportive to me. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone.