Exciting Trip

The Seattle trip was very exciting for me. I could see many new things to me. My favorite place is Pike Place Market. I reserched on lymthe stores which I wanted to go, because my friend said I couldn't understand this map. At first, we went to Pike Place chowder. I heard this shop closes at 5p.m, so we rushed. It was very delicious. I was impressed because I have never eaten it. Next, we went to Starbucks. I'm not interested in it, so I haven't visited. I was very nervous when I ordered coffee. The coffee was very delicious. If I heard "market" in Japan, I would imagine fresh seafood, but I am not familiar with the market. I went to market in America and I got my common sense. American market are sold fruits, fishes and miscellaneous goods. It was so colorful. I didn't tired of stay there long time. Another most interesting place was the cruise. I was very glad because if I spent my life time in Japan, I wouldn't experience it. It was my first experiences to take a ship, so I had wonderful feeling.The sunshine on the ship was warm and glittery. I had lots of experience in those three days. I also was able to have many beautiful memories. I want to make use of things what I learned Seattle trip. This trip is the most exciting trip of my life!

Wonderful Study Abroad Experience

My study abroad experience has been wonderful. First, I was able to learn American culture. I went to see many famous places and knew American history there. In addition, I actually experienced American culture, such as eating American food, playing with American children, using American furniture and talking with American family during home stay. Second, I have became more active. I became brave to talk with many American people and started to use English other than classes. I often talk with my friends and my RA in English at my dormitory. In addition, I have been willing to help someone because of community life. We must help each other in community life. Finally, I noticed the importance of my family. I must do housework during studying abroad, so I realized how hard it was to do myself. My mother always do housework for my family. My father also work for us. I felt love from them. I decided to return money for studying abroad to them. I want to give back their favor. In conclusion, my study abroad experience has been wonderful.

Awesome Trip Experience

Traveling abroad have given me a life of abundance. First experience of trip expanded my vision in each time to go abroad. For example, when I was 9 years old, I have been to Thailand. Then, I saw a lot of poor people on street road, and  knew about the gap between the rich and poor in the world. I got shocked from this experience, but then I can get a lot of perspectives to think about something and realize that my world that I had seen is only Japan and I had not seen the fact of the world. These let me grow my thinking and my sensitives. Second, trip have given me a lot of resourceful experiences in each time. When I actually go to the local of foreign countries is completely different from just looking on textbook in my own country. What I actually go to the local foreign countries give me a great impact and stimulation. Theses change my mind that I think about whatever and feeling something. These are good resourceful for my life, because I can get a skill to see in the broader perspectives. Third, motivation to learn a foreign countries' language and culture is increased. When I went to foreign counties. I found a lot of interesting thing and hear a lot of foreign languages. It inspired me to study foreign languages and cultures. It always made me to want to study these. In conclusion, trip have given me a life of abundance and awesome experiences for me. 

Surprising American Life

I've seen so many interesting things and had wonderful experiences during my first study abroad here. First of all, I was surprised that most Americans eat tiny raw carrot. Not only carrot but many others also are eaten raw. Moreover, they ate raw carrot as a snack. I was very surprised and that was interesting. Second, a church I went to was very nice. I thought a church is a quiet and small place, but it totally wasn't. Actually, the church was like a concert stage, and some famous singers were singing songs on the stage. The second time to go there, I saw that my host family's friend was baptized for the first time in my life. That was amazing and wonderful and I was touched. I'll never forget this experience. Finally, Americans are very friendly, talkative and powerful. Even young people or small children I met were clever. They had their own opinions and told me about that, so it was easy to tell them what I think. Meeting high school students and elementary school students was also exciting. As I told you, I've had so many amazing and curious experiences and now  I am a happy.

Amazing Cultural Differences

I have found many surprising cultural differences between America and Japan during study abroad. First, almost all Americans don't take off their shoes when they enter the house. I saw my host parents didn't take off their shoes when I had a homestay. Japanese take off their shoes and enter the house, so I felt it is very strange for me. I think that Americans don't have a habit of sitting on the floor so they can put on their shoes into the house. Japanese sit on a step and take off their shoes. I also think that the entrance of America has no difference in level than the entrance of Japan because they don't have a this habit. Second, there is a tip system in America. There isn't this system in Japan, but I think it is a good system because it can know gratitude. It is a very good way to convey appreciation so I think that Japan should also adopt the tip system. If Japan adopts this system, motivation for many people will improve. Finally, I think that most Americans treasure conversations with family. For example, most Americans eat a meal together for their family and they have conversations so meal time in America is longer than Japan. I think that it is important to have conversations with family because they can notice a little change by talking everyday. However, Japanese families don't talk so much even if they eat together so I want to talk more with my family. Cultures are completely different from Japan, but I like American cultures so I recommend you study abroad because knowing cultural differences are so interesting!

Amazing MFWI

I think that lessons in the MFWI will highly improve all my skills. First, any class will improve my conversation skills by having a lot discussion time during the lessons. At first I felt it was different to take classes in English only, but I don't feel it is more difficult now than before. I enjoy talking. MFWI's teacher are funny because they always make us interesting lessons, such as, Quizlet and Kahoot. We are reviewing while having fun. Second, for example, we have to talk with people of different classes every Monday, so I think that my communication skills will improve by doing it. When I did it with a high level class, I felt the difference in power. I think that it was great to ask questions of what the other person spoke and to continue talking. I can't quite ask questions. Even if I can, I'll end the talking soon. I want to be able to ask questions. Finally, there are not many classes involved in Japanese university lecture but in the United States you have to participate. I think that it is interesting that classes progress with my remarks. So I would like to speak more in my classes. To sum up, I will get more my skills so I want to try MFWI life. 

Surprising Culture

I was surprised by American culture through study abroad. First, American toilet's facilities is everything difficult. Japan has bidet, toilet sound, children chair and heating of toilet seat, but American toilet is nothing. Especially, I was surprised to be able to see feet of people. I wondered that so researched why toilet open under the door. I understood that it was for protect a crime according to research. I felt difference danger between America and Japan. I prefer Japanese toilet, because Japanese toilet is more comfortable than American toilet and I want not see anybody while I do a restroom. Second, American sweets is too sugary. When I ate a cookie in America for the first time, I was surprised, because I had not ever eaten too sweets the cookie. Not only the cookie but also other sweets are sugary. Now, I like better American sweets than Japanese sweets. Third, serving is different. When I went to the cash register to buy a clothes, clerk did not notice for me, so I said Excuse me, and the clerk came with angry face. Maybe the clerk was so tired, but that kind of thing  should not be in Japan. I felt a pride for Japanese serving at the time, but many American clerk is good person. I like point that American clerk is very friendly and energy. I think that Japanese should follow such a friendly and energy. Between American culture and Japanese culture are different at all, but I understood that American have good culture too. I'm so happy to know much American culture through this study abroad.

Love Place

I love downtown Spokane. I have three favorite places in downtown. First my favorite place is Sephora of downtown mall. I was excited when I went there for the first time, because there are innumerable cosmetics. Some cosmetics of Sephora aren't sold in Japan, so I want to introduce this shop to my friends. I hope that Sephora is made in Japan. Second, my favorite place is cafe. I like coffee of latte art there. The latte art is form of heart. It is very cute, so the coffee makes me happy. Also the shop's atmosphere is  very good and I can relax. I want to go the cafe again before I go back Japan. Third, my favorite place is used clothing shop. I had never been to used clothing shop, because I was reluctant to buy used clothes. I was invited my friend and I went the shop. I was impressed with the interior of the shop. There are antique sofa, objects and extensive collection of post card. Of course, there were many used clothes too. I could get nice pictures and wonderful accessory. I want to buy clothes when I go there next. Finally, old town scape of downtown is nice. I think that I can't look this scenery in Japan. I really like everything of downtown.

Comfortable Time

I went to homestay for the first time last week. I could learn American culture, and a lot of things that I don‘t know. In addition, I was perplexed about a variety of things. My hostfamily is very kind and interesting. There are father, mother and two children. They really get along with themselves, and they are laughing all the time. I could learn a lot of things from them. I was welcomed by my hostfamily. I felt a lot of things in this homestay, for example, I should say hostfamily that I want to try and my opinion. My hostfamily was having some trouble because of I was holding back a little. I was able to understand that I should say things clearly. Second, I was able to learn that it is important to have the conversational ball rolling in America. I was frustrated, because my hostfamily asked about a lot of things to talk with me, but I couldn‘t response only short sentences. I want to say their a lot of interesting things and important things, but the word that I want to say didin‘t occur to my brain. I felt strong there that I went to improve my English skills more and more. Third, I felt that my hostfamily love each other. They cooperate anything, and they were sharing all housework. I felt wonderful, because most Japanese mother do housework. I think strong that I want to marry person that looks like my hostfather. I miss my hostfamily. It was all new experiences. I was able to learn and study about a variety of things. It was good and important experiences for me. I was able to make wonderful memories in this homestay.

Wonderful Time

It is valuable experience for me to study abroad. First, I can grow up as a human. For example, I can extend my horizon, and I can have different idea. It is big different between American culture and Japanese culture, so I can learn and know a lot of things. In my dormitory, I must do myself all things, so I feel that I can become self-control. Second, I can encounter a lot of people here. I live same conditions in Japan, so I didn't have new encounter. I can learn that there are a variety of people such as friendly, kindly and interesting people in the world, and I notice again that my friends are important for me. I think that if I didn't have my friends, I wouldn't do my best. I can make many friends, and I understand importance that help each other. Third, I feel again that my parents are very great. I have been feeling to gratitude my parents since I come to America. Thanks to my parents that I can study abroad, so I want to repay the favor. I will talk them about a lot of American life and American cultures. I'm looking forward to seeing them. For these reasons, I can a lot of things, and it is valuable and wonderful memory for me.

Perfect Hostfamily

I had a very meaningful three days with our hostfamily. On the first days, we went to eat pizza for diner. After that, we went to gymnastics, which is a lesson of children of our host family. Children are three and five years old girls. They were doing their best with very small their bodies. I was very impressed when I saw that figures. After we came home we played house with whole family. It was very fun. On the second day, we went to take pictures of Easter. A lot of pictures are displayed in the house and it is very fashionable. we were very happy to be able to participate in the house.After took pictures, we went to the craft fair. There were many handmade items there. They were  different from Japanese design and it it was fun just looking at them. We came home in the afternoon and introduced Japanese culture and foods. We did calligraphy with our host family. It seemed very difficult, but they enjoyed it, so it was good. In the evening, my hostfamily's friend came to their home. The children increased, we went to ice cream shop with a total of five children. The children were really cute and they eased my mind. On the third day, we went skiing and snow bording to Silver Mountain. I have skied, but I did snow bording because I've never done snow bording. Emery, at the age of five was the second to ski, but at the end, she was able to skate alone. I was surprised at her improvement. Our host family has made a lot of plans to entertain us. I'm glad that I can be a member of this family. I'll go to homestay again this weekend. I can't wait next time. My hostfamily is like my second family. I really love them!!

Wonderful Learning Place

My part-time job is wonderful learning place. First, I can learn the importance of cooperation with my colleagues. If someone makes a mistake, we have to help each other. Actually, my senior apologized to the customers with me when I made a mistake. From such experience, I came to think that I would cooperate when someone make a mistake. I think that my colleague's failures are also my own failures.  Second, I can deal with a lot of people. Customers of various ages such as children and adults come to my part-time job place. Therefore, I have many opportunities to talk with them because I have been doing a hospitality industry. Communication skill also improves by engaging with lots of people. Third, I can learn the importance of money. I have depended on my parents for all things until I began to a part-time job. However, since I began a part time job, I try to buy what I need as much as I can. Then I learned how difficult it is to earn money. Learning the importance of money also leads to leaning to appreciate parents. For these reasons, I think that my part-time job is the best learning place to learn various things and I'm proud of my part -time job.

First Experience

I went to homestay and I had a good time there. On the first day, my host family came to pick us up at 3 p.m. and we went to park. We played in the park about 2 hours. After we came home I ate delicious food made by host mother. I experienced the taste of the American family for the first time. House is very spacious and beautiful. After dinner, took us to the church music concert. The church was also my first experience. On the second day, we played tennis and trampoline in a large garden. I'm very tired because I don't have enough energy to play with kids. We went to the Manito Park for picnic in the afternoon. The park was very huge and I walked for about 2 hours. There is not such a huge park where I live so, I was able to enjoy it. In the evening, host  family took us to theater to watch the play about Jesus, it was very long but I was impressed. I don't have religion and I first realized that Jesus was the son of God. It was valuable experience for me. On the final day, we went to church in the morning, There is a neighborhood church that is different from day one. Unlike the prayer I think, there was a person playing drums and guitars so, it was so exciting. We went to the Spokane River from afternoon. This was the first time for me to go there. Spokane River was very quiet and beautiful place. My host family taught me a lot of things for the first time. All the events are fun and valuable to me. I'm full of thanks for my host family.

Great Work Place

I have been working for more than three years which is a good place to grow me. First, I engaging with various people. There are tours from China and Korea but, I can not speak those language. In such a case, I'm talking with gestures and facial expression. I learned that I can conversation even if I do not understanding words. Customers from adults to children come in my part-time job place. I was able to improve my communication skill through engaging with a lot of people. Second, I was able to grow socially. There is a meeting once a month where I can get wonderful advice from the president, manager and boss. Those advice are very useful for me. I was able to learn society by listening to the opinion of older people. Third, I was able to learn importance of money. I didn't know the difficulty of working and the importance of money until I work. I think that it was natural that there was money but, it was a big mistake. I was able to notice gratitude to my parents. Do not forget that I live with money of parents. I decided to cherish money through part-time job. For those reasons, my part-time job make me grow.

Wonderful Opportunity

I enjoyed my trip to Seattle very much. I like "Bill Gates Foundation" the most among sightseeing spots that I visited. The reason is that I was very happy that I learned a lot about the children in the world. Before I entered this department of English culture I always wanted a biology department because I wanted to help the world's children with the power of biology. Even now I am in the department of English culture I still love biology and I want to learn more. Do you know embryo culture workers? I was thinking of becoming an embryo culture worker, but I could not bear the weight of responsibility so I gave up my dream.

I never regret having given up my dream and I feel like saving the lives of children in the world at any time. I was able to reconfirm my very important feelings by visiting the Bill Gates Foundation. I realized that I was really glad that I was able to visit Bill Gates Foundation. I want to study biology as well as study English. Someday I wish I could save the lives of children in the world with my power. I think that if I can improve my English skills by studying English and saving the lives of more children I think that it is meaningful that I chose the department of English culture instead of biology department. I really want to save lives of many children. For me, Seattle travel became a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm my dreams. I am very grateful.

Great Work Place

My part time job is a great place to work. The first reason is that I can work while interacting with many children. I like kids very much so I can work in a pleasant mood every day. Since then the children are so active that I will be positive. I feel happy thanks to the children. Children who come to Kidzania are from 3 to 15 years old, it is difficult for me to explain the work to 3 years old children, but when I can do it I am delighted with the children. I like that time very much. The second reason is that there are many opportunities to use English during work. A lot of customers from overseas come to Kidzania. When talking with customers from overseas, I speak in English and there are days of the week for the children to experience their work in English. I am glad that I can use English at work. The third reason is that my colleagues working with me are very kind, friendly and workable. My colleagues always help me when I am in trouble, and my boss often takes counseling. We are very close with each other not only at work but also at private for dinner together or for shopping. I like to work in Kidzania for many reasons. I would like to work again in Kidzania once I finish studying abroad. 

Great Experience

In this Seattle trip gave me a lot of good experience. There were a lot of things that I have not seen. First, while I was riding bus to Seattle. I was able to see a lot of very big mountains and  vast river and there were much wider sky than in Japan. When I was in first stop to eat lunch before I arrive at Seattle. We could see a very large mountain, I was able to feel the strongth of nature from this experiences. Second, after I arrived at Seattle I went to Pike Place Market. There are a lot of shops. Then I was able to see a fish company and life of local people in Seattle. I was able to go to original Starbucks and I bought some tumblers. Finally, the best experience was that I was able to go the capital billdings in Olympia. I had not never seen such a great builldings. I was so surprised at very big chandelier made by Tiffany. Then, tour guide said that this Tiffany's shandelier is about 4 tons. This buildings was the most beautiful I have ever seen. This experiences told me about history in the United States of America. I want to know about American history more and more. I think I should study more about American history until next trip (East Coast Trip) because I want to enjoy that trip with using knowledge that I learned. These Seattle trip's experiencese were good for my life.

Wonderful Host Family

There are several reasons why my host father and mother are wonderful. First, my host family taught me how to cook America foods, for example, Cookies, Lasagna and Hamburgers. My friend and I were nervous for the first time when my host family taught us about cooking because we can't cook, but they were kind enough to teach us, and we were able to enjoy it. We were able to take the leftovers back home, so we shared them with my dormmates. I was glad that it looked delicious the way my dormmates ate them. Second, I was impressed with my host family's consideration. When I asked them about the schedule for next day, I said them " What will we do tomorrow? ", and they replied me " What do you want to do? We want to do your wanting to do". I was surprised this word, and I think that they are so kind. My friend and I wanted to go shopping, so we were able to tell them easily about it, and we enjoyed shopping with my host family. Third, they will invite us for homestay at most two times after the first homestay. We will go to homestay of  the second time this weekend. We will have a good time with my host family and their relation on Easter, so I can't wait to see them again. I am excited about it now. In addition, if it is good weather in May, I will go camping with my host family by their camping car. My host family is thinking about my friend and me. They make us enjoy and happy, so I think that they are wonderful !

Precious Experiences

I have had several great experiences while studying abroad at MFWI. First, I have learned deeply about America. I go to school where there are native English teachers, so I'm able to learn about the customs of American school. For example, I learned that I must do eye contact with teachers during they explain something to the students. I hadn't known so I was confused it when I took a class for the first time. However, I think that I should know about the customs of American school from then on. I have another reason why I have learned deeply about America. It's Seattle trip and East Coast trip. There are many different histories and people in Seattle, Boston and Washington D.C., so I was able to learn many things about America by the trips. Second, I have experienced homestay. My host family often say to my roommate and me "we want to do what you want to do", so we are always able to enjoy homestay. I respect their consideration for other people. I want to be like them and do homestay in my future. In addition, I have made friends at MFWI. I was able to make friends with my dorm mates, RA, and classmates. They are very nice persons and inspire me, so I'm able to do my best at MFWI when I have a hard time. I really appreciate them. Finally, I have experienced many great things since I studied abroad at MFWI, so I want to make use of these experiences after going back to Japan.

Exciting and Unhappy Cultural Differences

Cultural differences make me excited, but they sometimes make me unhappy for three reasons. First, I feel both honeymoon and homesickness. In America, I found a lot of strange things, went to unknown cities, ate American food and saw beautiful views. I learned and enjoyed American culture. However, these strange things didn't feel like my hometown to me. I became homesick because I felt cultural differences between America and Japan!! Second, American people's way of thinking is different from Japanese one. Sometimes, Japanese were hurt when they talk with American people. Maybe, they misunderstood, but American people's tone of voice is sharp for Japanese people. American people are kind, so I think they don't care about this. However, most Japanese people have no confidence and are negative. Third, the land of America is so large. Because of this, I can go many places and find strange things, but it is difficult for me to go there in a short time. This traveling takes a lot of time, no matter how fast the plane is. In addition, I got a middle ear infection after I took a plane, so I'm afraid of it. However, everyone has to take a plane when they move in America. Finally, it is difficult for me to communicate in English. NO matter how much I study English, I will cower and can't speak English. I want to improve the skill of speaking English, so I will try to talk with many American people. For three reasons, cultural differences make me excited, but they also sometimes make me unhappy.