Revers Culture Shock

I have some reverse culture shock when I returned to Japan. First, the size of house is small. Of course, there were 25 people in my dormitory, so it was very big. When I was in Japan, I had never felt that my house was small, but I felt my house was a little small when I came back to my home because my dormitory was very big. Also, the furniture are very big, too. I liked a big and fluffy sofa that can sit 4 people. I want to sit and lie in the sofa again. Second, all voice that I can hear in my life and traffic signs are all Japanese. Of course, it is obvious because I am in Japan. It was very hard to translate everything when I was in America, but I got used to it and I felt my English skill was improving little by little. Also I was happy because I could find new vocabulary and new phrase everyday in my life, so I am a little confused because I can understand all word very easily without looking up words now. Third, I am in Japan. I was very looking forward to study abroad, so I was so happy to stay in the U.S, but I returned to Japan when I got used to stay in the U.S. It was a dream time for me and I had very good time in Spokane, but I was returned to reality. I realized I really came back to Japan. I was happy to meet my family, but I wanted to stay in the U.S more! I am surprised that I have some reverse culture shock.

When Life Gives You Lemon

　I had two troubles in my life. First, when I was junior high school student, I quarreled over trivial things with my friend. I was very confused and sad. Also, I didn't talk with her, and I was scared her because I had never had such a big quarrel in my life, but my friends helped me to talk with her, gave some advice to me, and encouraged me, so I could apologize to her, and I could repair our relationships. Second, when I was high school student, I studied a lot to pass the university entrance examination, but a judgement of pretest was always not good, so I was so sad and lost my motivations. Then, my teachers and family found my situation and encouraged me. They told their own experiences and gave some advice to study. Also, my friends and I encouraged each other, and I imagined what I want to do when I pass the university, so I regained my motivations, and I could pass the entrance examination. I was very happy and said thanks to them. Also, I thought it is important not to give up. Finally, I found if you have troubles, even if it is painful, you can always solve it someday and make lemonade!!

Why I Need English

     Now, there are about 1.5 billion English speakers in the world and it is increasing every year which means that 21% of the world population speaks English, so there are four reasons why I think it is important to learn English. First, if I can speak English, I will be able to talk with people from other countries, such as people from China or America. Then, I will be able to make a lot of friends. Recently, tourists from other countries are increasing in Japan, and many of them can not speak Japanese, so it is better to be able to speak English. If I can speak and understand only Japanese, I can't understand people from other countries. Also, Tokyo Olympics will be held in 2020. If I don't understand English, I can't help people who are coming to take part in the Tokyo Olympics. Second, if I can speak English, I can work outside Japan. I want to work at an airport in the other country for Japan airlines. Also, connecting with people from other countries in English would help to raise the  profile of any company that I workesd for. Finally, if I learn English, I will be able to learn about other countries. There are a lot of countries I have never been to, so learning English provide me with a good opportunity to broad my horizon s. In conclusion, learning English is very useful in the future.

My Living Room

     My RA is Liz, who is 21 years old and very kind and cute! She likes rock climbing well. When I first met her, she broke her knee because she is a rock climber. I was surprised to hear that she have broken her knee three times. Also, she works in library, so she always busy and often isn’t in my dormitory, but she talks a lot to me when she is in there.

      In group 13, there are 12 people and RA. Tow of them are another class, but they are very kind and friendly, so we are good relationship.

     After school, we often do our homework with dormitory members in living room. It is very fun, because we talk about our classes or teach each other. Also, we eat breakfast and dinner together every day. 

Group 13

     In group time and free time, we often laugh. Liz thinks interesting games, so we often laugh and become good relationship. Also, we like watching movies.  have watched more than 6 or 7 movies since I came to MFWI. 

I am surprised that we have become such close friend. Everyone is kind and I like them. I want to go out various place with them for four months, and I am looking forward to making memories with them!!

My First Week

     I left at 8:00 am for Itami airport to flight to Tokyo. I missed my family and my friends very much. In Tokyo, I rode the bus to go to Narita International airport. In Narita, I drank Starbucks coffee. It was the last food I ate in Japan. At 5:30 pm, I flied to Seattle. On the airplane, I watched three movies: Kingdom, Toy Story 4, and No Longer Human. They were very, very fun. In the Seattle airport, I ate sandwich and bought a sprite at McDonald’s. Unlike Japan, they were very big. After that, I flied to Spokane, which is very cold. I was very tired when I arrived here because it took very, very long time to get here. In the airport, I first met my RA, Liz, who is very cute. The other student and I arrived at my dormitory. It is very big, unlike my home. When I first arrived, I watched movies every day in me dormitory, because we couldn't go out for two weeks. It was boring, but I watched the best movie, witch called “Annabelle”. It is a horror movie, that you can watch in Japan. When I was in Japan, I wanted to watch it, but I could not, because I was busy. It was very, very scary. I often screamed, but it was very fun. 

     On Tuesday, the first class started. In the class, there were 14 people, but there was only one person who I knew. She is a student in my same class in Japan. In the class, I introduced myself to everybody. I was able to remember everybody's name in one day. They are very cute and kind, and the classes are more interesting than in Japan, but I am afraid of speaking only English in class. Now, I can’t speak well. I hope to improve my English skills at MFWI. For dinner, there are many kinds of food at commons. It is more delicious than I thought. I especially like the croutons in the salads, but I want to eat Japanese food once a week.

About Me!

top : GENARATIONS
bottom : FANTASTICS

     Hi! My name is Hikari. I was born in Kobe, Hyogo 19 years ago. I go to school at Mukogawa Woman’s University. In my free time, I often listen to music and watch concert DVD and watch YouTube and watch movie. My favorite artist is “GENERATIONS” and “FANTASTICS”, so I often watch their concert DVD.

     I have five members in my family: father, mother, two older sister and grandmother. My father is a deliveryman. He has been working as a deliveryman more than thirty years. My mother is a caregiving in nursing home. One of my older sisters is 27 years old. She lives outside of my home. She lives in Osaka with her boyfriend. She is a kindergarten teacher. The other older sisters is 25 years old. She works as a hairstylist. So, I always have cut and dye my hair for free! It is very grateful. My grandmother is 94 years old. I want her to live a long life.

     I don’t have my dream yet… But I think I would like to live outside of Japan and work there when I am able to speak English better!