Latest news with #ItamiCityHighSchool
The Mainichi
25-07-2025
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Man bikes from Belgium to Japan, meets students in Itami
ITAMI, Hyogo -- A man named Jolan Bollen, 32, rode his bicycle from Hasselt, Belgium to Itami, Hyogo Prefecture in Japan. These two cities are "sister cities" and have a special friendship. Bollen traveled about 20,000 kilometers through 15 countries. His trip took 448 days. He came to Itami City High School and talked to about 120 students. He told them about meeting many kind people and said it is important to try new things and not give up. Bollen started his trip in April 2024 to celebrate 40 years of friendship between Hasselt and Itami. He only used a ship to cross the sea, but rode his bike the rest of the way. He even rode through a desert for a month and camped in very cold weather. Sometimes he wanted to quit, but people in every country helped him. In Uzbekistan, an 80-year-old woman let him stay at her home. Bollen said that the world is kind and that he now has "family" all over the globe. He added that the most important thing is to share happiness with others and that he hopes the students will be curious and take on challenges. When asked by a student if his bottom hurt from riding the bicycle for so long, Bollen laughed and replied that it was painful at first but now his buttocks are as hard as a rock. Third-year student Nayu Sugawara, 17, remarked, "His words about not giving up left a strong impression. I also want to take on challenges." (Japanese original by Yukiharu Sakurai, Kobe Bureau) Vocabulary sister cities: two cities in different countries that have a special friendship desert: a very dry place with little water challenge: something that is hard to do but helps you grow curious: wanting to know or learn new things buttocks: the part of your body you sit on (your bottom) remarked: said or commented impressive: something that makes you feel respect or admiration
The Mainichi
23-07-2025
- The Mainichi
Belgian man arrives in Japan's Itami after 448-day, 20,000-km bicycle journey
ITAMI, Hyogo -- A man who embarked on a bicycle tour from Hasselt, Belgium, to Itami, Hyogo Prefecture -- international sister cities -- recently completed his journey at Itami City High School, where he interacted with about 120 students. Jolan Bollen, 32, originally from Hasselt and now residing in Brussels, covered approximately 20,000 kilometers across 15 countries over 448 days. He shared with the students the joy of connecting with people worldwide and the importance of a spirit of challenge. The two cities established their sister city relationship in 1985. Their exchanges continue as the Hasselt city government gifted a carillon installed in front of JR Itami Station, and the Itami Municipal Government is assisting in the creation of a Japanese garden in Hasselt. Bollen planned his first bicycle journey to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship, aiming to reaffirm the bond between the two cities. He departed from Hasselt in April 2024. An Itami city government employee who maintained contact with Bollen through social media during his adventure suggested the interaction with local high school students, and the event was realized. On July 9, Bollen was greeted and congratulated by students in the school's gymnasium. Showing no fatigue, he smiled and recounted his days of adventure. Apart from crossing the sea by ship, Bollen pedaled continuously. He spent a month cycling through a desert without encountering anyone. He also camped in temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius. Although the journey was tougher than expected and he felt like giving up at times, people in each country showed him kindness, he said. In Uzbekistan, an 80-year-old woman offered him a place to stay. Bollen said that the world is kind and that he now has "family" all over the globe. He added that the most important thing is to share happiness with others and that he hopes the students will be curious and take on challenges. When asked by a student if his bottom hurt from riding the bicycle for so long, Bollen laughed and replied that it was painful at first but now his buttocks are as hard as a rock. Third-year student Nayu Sugawara, 17, remarked, "His words that not giving up is important were impressive. I also want to take on challenges." (Japanese original by Yukiharu Sakurai, Kobe Bureau)
