Hello! My name is Katharina Ditte

  I am an exchange student from Germany. I am 18 years old and recently I am studying at Hitachi Second High School. My father is Russian and my mother is German. I was born in the Ukraine and have lived there until the age of six.
  In 1991 my parents, my older sister and myself moved to Germany. In Germany, my parents continued to speak Russian with me but at school and with friends I speak in German.
  I have been always very interested in languages and different countries. So I started studying English 6 years ago. When I was 13 year I also began to study French at school. Two years ago I became very interested in Asia and its culture. Especially in Japan, because Japan is very rich in old traditional arts: Kendo, Iaido, Tea ceremony, Calligraphy, Ikebana, Kabuki and much more. I really love Japanese culture and hope it will be saved in the future. It’s very unique in the world. In Japan I started to practice Kendo and Iaido and my host mother teaches me Ikebana. I hope I can continue my new hobbies in Germany.
  My dream for the future is to become a diplomat and work in many different countries for peace and justice. At the beginning of February I’m going back to Germany.

  I really enjoyed my stay in Japan. I wish HYOTAN readers a happy day.