I experienced a lot of amazing culture shock when I first arrived in America. Then I went back to Japan and I returned to America again!! There are three examples of when I experienced culture shock and return culture shock.
First, I was astonished by American education. When I went to a high school, I felt how free it is here. Then I had an opportunity to talk with high school students. I noticed some differences between Japan and America. American students can go to school with make up, wear pierced earrings, eat food and drink during the class, and some people have tattoos. I really envy them. Also they are more independent than Japanese students. Most students have initiative, volunteerism and independence. They are thinking about their future seriously. Also many people go to college with their own money or scholarship. I didn’t know about making such great effort, so I made many mistakes.
Second, I noticed Japanese school rules are too strict. They spoil the students because overly strict rules means teachers don’t respect and trust students, I think. After visiting the high school, I have a question about why so many Japanese students depend on people. In my opinion, strict rules do it. Most teachers believe that strict rules are good for students. Of course following rules is important for us and they protect us from bad people, but too strict rules are counterproductive to students. I could learn these differences from America.
Finally, I could learn about the positive American national character. For example, their greetings, how to express emotions, and a cheerful personality. On the way to Commons, everyone said greetings to me. In Japan we don’t say greetings on the road to unknown people, so it made me confused and surprised. Also after finishing my first class, I was really startled because the teachers were hyperactive and class was loud. In Japan most teachers are quiet and the class atmosphere is, too, so I couldn’t get used to this situation, but I feel comfortable and I like it now. We spent on a long time in Spokane, so finally I could say greetings and express emotions, like hugging, naturally. I was really surprised at myself and it made me happy. After I went back to Japan, these habits were ingrained in my body. Sometime people saw me in a weird way because it was Japan. I learned the American national character and I’m glad about that. American and Japanese education system have some differences and similarities as well as advantages and disadvantages.
First, I was astonished by American education. When I went to a high school, I felt how free it is here. Then I had an opportunity to talk with high school students. I noticed some differences between Japan and America. American students can go to school with make up, wear pierced earrings, eat food and drink during the class, and some people have tattoos. I really envy them. Also they are more independent than Japanese students. Most students have initiative, volunteerism and independence. They are thinking about their future seriously. Also many people go to college with their own money or scholarship. I didn’t know about making such great effort, so I made many mistakes.
Second, I noticed Japanese school rules are too strict. They spoil the students because overly strict rules means teachers don’t respect and trust students, I think. After visiting the high school, I have a question about why so many Japanese students depend on people. In my opinion, strict rules do it. Most teachers believe that strict rules are good for students. Of course following rules is important for us and they protect us from bad people, but too strict rules are counterproductive to students. I could learn these differences from America.
 |
| Students Experiencing Changing Cultures |
If I hadn’t been here, I couldn’t have learned such fabulous things. These cultural differences have changed my personality to be positive, and I’m proud to learn about that. I’m really happy to return here again.