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Since I was in junior high school, it has been my dream to study abroad. I had to give up joining an English training program in high school due to the pandemic. I decided to enter this college and join the studying abroad program. At first, people around me were really worried about me studying abroad in the U.S. That was because I'm physically weak and had never experienced living alone apart from my family. Still, I put my effort into improving my English skills and prepared for studying abroad with my friends and teachers. As soon as I arrived in Seattle in September, I was overwhelmed with anxiety about whether I could really live there by myself. From the moment I landed at Seattle Airport, I struggled with English conversations and had difficulty adapting to the lifestyle, feeling discouraged every day. However, I kept reminding myself that it was my decision to study in the U.S. and tried to deal with each challenge I faced. What really helped me mentally while studying abroad were the words of my father and a friend of mine. My father told me when we talked on the phone, "You should just focus on and deal with things in front of you one by one." My friend also gave me advice, "You could come back in six months, so let's enjoy it anyway." These words helped me stay calm and enjoy experiencing everything. Following my father's advice, I continued to focus on my studies and gradually got used to life in America, improving my English skills steadily. As a result, I was able to enjoy classes and communication more, becoming more proactive in talking to people, participating in class, and asking people questions actively in order to learn more and more. Living with my housemates made me learn the importance of helping each other in everyday life. I also learned many things that I wouldn't have understood without experiencing them firsthand. Although I had prepared by studying American culture and lifestyle beforehand, the reality was different. There were many things I realized only after living there, such as the culture of using marijuana, encountering homeless people, the eating habits, and the sense of time in daily life. The saying "seeing is believing" truly resonated with me. Throughout those six months in the U.S., I gained countless valuable experiences. Not only did I improve my language skills, but I also expanded my communication abilities and learned how warm and nice people are. This half-year was an irreplaceable experience for me. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of those who supported my study abroad, my family, the teachers in Seiryo and GRC, the travel agency Mr. Yokoyama, my friends who studied abroad together, my host families, housemates, friends, and everyone who was involved with this program. From now on, I would like to consider how I can apply what I learned during this half-year to my life in Japan and give back my experiences and appreciation to those who have supported me. |