Unforgettable Portland Trip
Portland trip was beneficial for me. I could meet many students at each university, and learn many academic things. Also I could think about Japanese American and learn about Lewis and Clark. In each places, people and experience in Portland were amazing and valuable for me.
First, I met many students and learned academic things from them. I went to two colleges and one university. One of them was Columbia Basin College. I met a student who is in the Japanese class. When he and I were eating lunch, two girls who are his friends came to our table. They start chatting with him. I realized girls were high school students when I was listening their conversation. Therefore I asked them, “How old are you?” They answered me, “We are 16 years old.” I was very surprised. After they left our table, my partner told me about the high school program which students can go to learn in college. I didn’t know about it so I was very fascinated by this program. I could know about differences of the school system in the U.S. more.
Second, I could know about Japanese Americans. It was very sad for me and made me think about war seriously. I went to the Japanese American memorial. There are two poles, and Japanese American soldiers and their families are painted on these poles. Also there are three or four rocks. One haiku was painted on each rock and these haiku were thoughtful. Also the reason why this memorial was created is that American people remember these sad things. I was very impressed and thinking how hard Japanese American people’s life was when I was there. I think Japanese people should know and remember about this sad thing. I could know about part of history during World War Ⅱ and I would never know if I haven't been to there.
Third, I experienced many things about Lewis and Clark’s discovery. When I went to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, a man explained medical tools during that time. These toll are totally different from modern medical method so I couldn’t imagine them. After that, he showed me a rifle for hunting. Also he made me hold it. In Japan, to have rifle is illegal so it was very rare experience for me. It was very heavy and smelled a few gunpowder. I could hold almost same thing during Lewis and Clark’s period. Also I could touch some real furs of buffalos and beavers. They are rare experience too, so I was very excited. I could learn how they got over their life’s difficulties. To touch real tools and things which I can’t see in Japan was very valuable to me.
In conclusion, there are many benefits for education on this trip. If there was no plan to go to Portland, I couldn’t learn and experience these amazing things. Each place and experience are very valuable and unforgettable. This trip made my knowledge expand.