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| "PSU!! PSU!!!" |
First, I was so surprised when I heard the honor system in Reed college. In this college, students have responsibility to take tests. They can take their test wherever they want such as, in the library, in the room, even the bathroom. It is impossible in Japan. I was so curious that why president admit this honor system. I think some students did some cheat because of this system. However, if they did some cheat during the test, it isn’t their ability and I don’t think they feel happy or achievement if they got good score of test. Also, I think it won’t circulate in the society. I was so impressed this system. I thought this system helped students to go out in the world.
Second, I learned fabulous “green” system from Portland State University. We had a tour from students at this university and the campus was so beautiful. I was surprised that I couldn’t see the enclosure between university and town so I felt so big about this campus. Students said this is the one of the good points of PSU. Also, this university has so amazing eco-system. In the campus, there is lots of parking area for the electric cars. I thought that electric cars were common is Portland. However, he said it were not common yet but PSU try to accelerate it in Portland. He said if people who has electric car stop this parking and charge the electricity in this parking area, it will be free to park it. However, non electric car and electric cars just stop have to pay money. I thought it was a little bit strict but it is good opportunity to think about electric car more close to our life. Also, he explained PSU has only one heater and air conditioner in the campus. However, the sky bride connects to other buildings and help to send air from it so they could succeed to reduce less than 30％ electricity. I had never seen university which forces on “green” so I was so impressed about it. I had good opportunity to think “green” during this trip.
Finally, I felt sad and anger at PSU. After we ate dinner with PCU students, we went to see volleyball game. It was first tome to see university volleyball game so I was so excited to see the game. During the game, both team played a well-matched game so I held my breath. It was so awesome game. However, it happened suddenly. The men who wore green and some other colors appeared and they cheered PCU volleyball team. I thought it was fun people but I felt strange for their attitude. They said other team’s personal name and interrupted them! Also, they made lots of noisy sound. I couldn’t believe their attitude!! Nobody say any attention to them and I saw some staff talked with them funny so I was so upset and got anger from them. It was not fare!! In fact, the opposing team lose this game. After the game, I asked Jill and Timothy about their attitude and they said it was kind of culture in the US but they didn’t say athlete’s name and interrupted the opposing team. They admitted their attitude were bad! In Japan, we also respect the opposing team so I couldn’t believe this situation and I couldn’t accept it. However, I learned each countries have own way of watching sport game even I couldn’t believe it. I think this is my biggest culture shock on this trip.
As you can see, I learned good and bad things on this trip. Students looked so cheerful and enjoyable to study at their campus. I want to visit the universities again if I have a chance!