I started thinking about studying abroad when I was a high school student. I wasn't good at English, but I liked English classes a lot. At first, I was interested in studying abroad only a little. I learned about this college because I knew I can go studying abroad in college. Also, our senior students told us about the study abroad program at the orientation in spring. Because of that, I decided to go studying abroad. I was really worried about my English ability because I couldn't speak English very well. In addition, I didn't know if I could live in the US by myself, and I thought America was a scary country with guns and drugs. However, I wanted to grow up myself and see a wider world. Of course, I really wanted to improve my English ability, so I went to America with hope and fear.

There were a lot of difficult things at first. As soon as I arrived at the airport in the US, my host family came to pick me up. Since then, I had to communicate with them all by myself. I didn't know what to talk or what they were talking about, so it was hard for me to talk with them. Also, American culture requires you to tell your ideas clearly, so you can't spend a long time to say “Yes.” or “No.” If you are quiet, or your response is slow, American people think you are rude. Then, I experienced cultural differences between Japan and America.

That's why I focused on speaking clearly with confidence even if I did not know how to say something. If you say something, listeners such as your teachers, your friends, and your host family will listen to you patiently until you finish talking. That way, I was able to make friends from myself.

I became more active, positive, and tolerant than before I experienced sutudying abroad. I don't want to waste my experience of studying abroad, so I am going to study more and more, and I will use English a lot.

I really appreciate my parents, my teachers, friends who went to America together for their support. Thank you very much. It was a great experience for me to go studying abroad.

Gum Wall

Frans Chocolate

The famous chocolate shop in Seattle

Gas Works Park

The view is so beautiful that I recommend visiting the park.

My friends