Language and Culture Day which is part of Conversation Class is already my favorite class event at MFWI. I really enjoy taking this fabulous experience because through many discussions, I have learned lots of things that I didn’t know before. It helps me to broaden my horizon. On Tuesday of this week, I had an impressive discussion about volunteerism with four people. I’ve been doing volunteer work since I entered the university, so I was so curious to learn. I had chances to talk with Chad, Don, Karen and Chris. I was especially impressed by Don, Karen and Bill’s ideas of volunteerism.
First of all, I was so moved by Don who is a running expert. It was nice to see and talk with him. He has had many running experiences including Tokyo and Nishinomiya-city Marathon. Moreover, he is the person who brought Blooms Day in the Spokane Community. I was so surprised to learn about that. According to Don, it was not an easy thing because at that time, he was a teacher at elementary school. He didn’t have enough time to develop it but through many supports, he was able to introduce a fantastic event. I was very impressed by his energetic power of action and I’m sure his action has moved lots of people in the Spokane Community.
The other unexpected thing that astounded me was learning about Karen’s idea regarding volunteerism at Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant. I was very lucky to have an opportunity to speak with her because I am interested in what she is doing for the Spokane Community. According to her story, the restaurant has two missions. One is providing nutritious food and the other is offering hospitality. I was really surprised to hear the last mission because my idea of relationships between beneficiaries and volunteers is that they should be equal. However, her idea is different because she treats beneficiaries as guests. It was a new idea for me and interesting to learn. I’m looking forward to knowing more about the restaurant as we participate.
Last but not least, I was impressed by the idea of Bill’s American volunteerism. Misako asked a question to all guests after the discussion. Her question was about the meaning of volunteering to them. I heard many curious ideas about volunteerism but I can’t forget Bill’s American idea. His answer was like this; it is our duty. I’ve never thought that doing volunteer work is a duty for me. I do volunteer work because I would like to do it; however, his idea was different. If he does volunteer work, he can be a good citizen. He has been taught he should help and support others since he was a child. In order to be a successful person, helping others is an essential way. By hearing his idea, I realized that Japanese don’t have this way of thinking. It was very interesting to learn and I realized a new American perspective.
I had a great time discussing volunteerism with local people in the Spokane Community. I’m sure my perspectives extended more and I felt I want to meet more new people to have a deep understanding of American Culture. I’m looking forward to working for Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant with my energetic extension members to discover more new American points of view!
First of all, I was so moved by Don who is a running expert. It was nice to see and talk with him. He has had many running experiences including Tokyo and Nishinomiya-city Marathon. Moreover, he is the person who brought Blooms Day in the Spokane Community. I was so surprised to learn about that. According to Don, it was not an easy thing because at that time, he was a teacher at elementary school. He didn’t have enough time to develop it but through many supports, he was able to introduce a fantastic event. I was very impressed by his energetic power of action and I’m sure his action has moved lots of people in the Spokane Community.
The other unexpected thing that astounded me was learning about Karen’s idea regarding volunteerism at Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant. I was very lucky to have an opportunity to speak with her because I am interested in what she is doing for the Spokane Community. According to her story, the restaurant has two missions. One is providing nutritious food and the other is offering hospitality. I was really surprised to hear the last mission because my idea of relationships between beneficiaries and volunteers is that they should be equal. However, her idea is different because she treats beneficiaries as guests. It was a new idea for me and interesting to learn. I’m looking forward to knowing more about the restaurant as we participate.
Last but not least, I was impressed by the idea of Bill’s American volunteerism. Misako asked a question to all guests after the discussion. Her question was about the meaning of volunteering to them. I heard many curious ideas about volunteerism but I can’t forget Bill’s American idea. His answer was like this; it is our duty. I’ve never thought that doing volunteer work is a duty for me. I do volunteer work because I would like to do it; however, his idea was different. If he does volunteer work, he can be a good citizen. He has been taught he should help and support others since he was a child. In order to be a successful person, helping others is an essential way. By hearing his idea, I realized that Japanese don’t have this way of thinking. It was very interesting to learn and I realized a new American perspective.
I had a great time discussing volunteerism with local people in the Spokane Community. I’m sure my perspectives extended more and I felt I want to meet more new people to have a deep understanding of American Culture. I’m looking forward to working for Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant with my energetic extension members to discover more new American points of view!