There
are many differences between Japan and America. I experienced changing
culture twice: when I came to Spokane for the first time and when I went
back to Japan. Now I am facing a third changing of culture.
First,
last semester all things were the first experience at that time. I was
so excited to find new culture and customs in America. However, I was
also shocked at the differences. For example, in Japan, when I cross a
street which does not have a signal, I usually bow to a driver who stops
for me. However, I did not know what I should do when I came across
such a situation in America because there was no custom to give a bow in
America. Nevertheless, the more I learned about culture in America, the
more I got used to life here.
Second,
I went back to Japan in May. I felt, “Here is my homeland!” At that
time, I enjoyed finding differences between Japan and America. I felt a
little strange in spite of it being my country. I was surprised at
clothes which girls at my university wore because many girls wore
similar clothes. Japanese tend to imitate other people’s taste, thinking
and clothes. This said, I think the life-style in Japan is most
comfortable for me.
Third,
I have come to Spokane again. At this time, I have not had any culture
shock. I have come back to another home. However, I still have not
adapted to life in America. I am not used to eating habits because I
sometimes have a stomachache or I become hungry soon after having a
meal. My brain thinks that I am ready tostart living in America but my
body still may not be prepared. In that way, I have experienced a third
changing of culture.
It
is rare a chance to experience changing culture. I think I already know
about many things about life in America, but there must be things which
I don’t know. I want to discover them during my study in Spokane.