I have been in America for ten days, and I’m happy to come back here to see my dearest teachers, RAs and host family. Classes have just begun from this Monday, and I enjoy taking them with my energetic extension members. I especially had an exciting Tuesday afternoon in the conversation class on this week. That is because I had a stimulating language and culture day for the first time in the Extension Program. I met nine great guests who are from Spokane community. It was significant time for me because I didn’t have enough chances to see local people in the Regular Program, so I had so much fun to communicate with them. I had a chance to talk with Chika, Eric, Rachel and Nayeli. All stories that I heard from them were so interesting and attracting; moreover, I have one story that remain in my mind deeply, Chika’s.
Chika, Christopher’s wife and Jill’s past student at Eastern Washington University told me a dramatic story. She is a very polite person and has gentle characteristics. I asked her what made her begin studying English, and her answer was so curious to know. After she graduated from the university, she and her friends went to Europe on a graduation trip. During her stay, she had lots of chance to communicate with Europeans, and she used English as a communication tool. Up until that time, she studied English only when she was in the high school, but in Europe she managed to have conversations with Europeans, and she found joy of using English. After she went back to Japan, she decided to go back to study English in English speaking country, so she started to work to earn money for her tuition. After a year, she went to England to attend the language school and then, she went to Eastern Washington University to study communication and art.
Through her stories, I learned two important things. One is we don’t really know what is waiting for us in our future. One day, we may experience something that changes our life completely. The other is that it is OK to start new things even when we are older. If I had the same situation with Chika, I’m sure I would think about my age of graduating from university, and how it affects my later life; however, Chika just followed her heart honestly without thinking about her own life. I was impressed by her brave attitude and passion.
Just ten days have passed since I came back to extension program but I have learned many things every day. I’m so excited to know and learn more about new things. When we are in Spokane, we study not only English but also culture here, so I would like to get chances to talk with local people as much as I can and want to extend my points of view and thinking more deeply and critically. I’m looking forward to the rest of my great experiences at MFWI.
Chika, Christopher’s wife and Jill’s past student at Eastern Washington University told me a dramatic story. She is a very polite person and has gentle characteristics. I asked her what made her begin studying English, and her answer was so curious to know. After she graduated from the university, she and her friends went to Europe on a graduation trip. During her stay, she had lots of chance to communicate with Europeans, and she used English as a communication tool. Up until that time, she studied English only when she was in the high school, but in Europe she managed to have conversations with Europeans, and she found joy of using English. After she went back to Japan, she decided to go back to study English in English speaking country, so she started to work to earn money for her tuition. After a year, she went to England to attend the language school and then, she went to Eastern Washington University to study communication and art.
Through her stories, I learned two important things. One is we don’t really know what is waiting for us in our future. One day, we may experience something that changes our life completely. The other is that it is OK to start new things even when we are older. If I had the same situation with Chika, I’m sure I would think about my age of graduating from university, and how it affects my later life; however, Chika just followed her heart honestly without thinking about her own life. I was impressed by her brave attitude and passion.
Just ten days have passed since I came back to extension program but I have learned many things every day. I’m so excited to know and learn more about new things. When we are in Spokane, we study not only English but also culture here, so I would like to get chances to talk with local people as much as I can and want to extend my points of view and thinking more deeply and critically. I’m looking forward to the rest of my great experiences at MFWI.