I have experienced changing cultures three times on the Regular Program, summer vacation and the Extension Program. All of them confused me, but they were still interesting. I will tell you my experiences about changing cultures.
First, in the Regular Program, everything was new to me, and I was in culture shock in the beginning of the semester. For instance, in Japan, we make a point of corporation. However, in the U.S., people make a point of say your own opinions. They always have opinions, and they express them. I thought it was the biggest difference between Japanese and American culture.
Second, when I returned to Japan, I was in return culture shock. For example, there were not so many people in Spokane, but there were too many people in Japan. I needed to avoid people when I walked along the roads. It sometimes made me annoyed.
Third, I came back to Spokane. I know the American culture more than last semester, so I am sometimes in culture shock. I forget to say excuse me. American people say “excuse me” when they interrupt someone every time. Of course, Japanese people say “excuse me” too, but we don’t say it every time such as in places where there are a lot of people. Therefore, I sometimes forget to say “excuse me” in the U.S. I don’t want to be an impolite person, so I want to get used to the culture as soon as possible.
As you can see, I have faced many cultural differences. They were new to me every time. Through them, I could learn about both American and Japanese cultures. They were very good experiences for me.
First, in the Regular Program, everything was new to me, and I was in culture shock in the beginning of the semester. For instance, in Japan, we make a point of corporation. However, in the U.S., people make a point of say your own opinions. They always have opinions, and they express them. I thought it was the biggest difference between Japanese and American culture.
Second, when I returned to Japan, I was in return culture shock. For example, there were not so many people in Spokane, but there were too many people in Japan. I needed to avoid people when I walked along the roads. It sometimes made me annoyed.
Third, I came back to Spokane. I know the American culture more than last semester, so I am sometimes in culture shock. I forget to say excuse me. American people say “excuse me” when they interrupt someone every time. Of course, Japanese people say “excuse me” too, but we don’t say it every time such as in places where there are a lot of people. Therefore, I sometimes forget to say “excuse me” in the U.S. I don’t want to be an impolite person, so I want to get used to the culture as soon as possible.
As you can see, I have faced many cultural differences. They were new to me every time. Through them, I could learn about both American and Japanese cultures. They were very good experiences for me.