Cross Cultural Workshop (Malaysia)

Mr. Milbon Kilani from Malaysia talked about his 4 year experiences in Japan. His Japanese wife, who has been supporting him in good days and bad days, and his 2 year old son were there with him.

He was born as the fifth son of eight siblings in Sungai Tribe of Malasia. They were living in a bamboo house and used bamboo leaves as plates when they eat. People in his village bathed in the river and used the river water for cooking. They were all living in harmony in the natural surroundings. He worked in Sandakan resort until 21 years old, where he met his future wife. When he first visited Japan, he went sightseeing in Kobe and Kyoto. He talked about his experience of at that time, when he first saw Japanese "kimono" and cherry bllosoms.

Then they got married, but the first year was so hard. He couldn't get a job for a while because it wasn't easy to get a visa and also he couldn't understand Japanese so well. The support from his wife, KIFA and the Nihongo Salon staff and the menbers of his church meant a lot to him. Now he's got a regular job at a furniture shop and working among Japanese co-workers.