As you know, America is a large country, so each state has its own weather, like dry or wet. In addition to weather, America has a varied history. America was affected by many other countries such as Britain Spain and Mexico, and the laws depend on the states. Because of that, there are many different characteristics. What is the character of Oregon?
The first example of the character of Oregon is the environment. There are three interesting characteristics. First, the weather is different. Compared to Spokane, Oregon is much wetter, Spokane's trees like pines can't live in Oregon because these trees need dry weather. Next, the tax law of Oregon State is different from other states. There is no sales tax. This system is very useful for visitors like us. How does Oregon govern itself without tax? Having land for the house in Oregon is very difficult because the price of land is much more expensive than Spokane. Using this money, this state supports citizens. I think it is a good way that the laws depend on the states because it will become easier to get citizen's ideas. The distance between government and citizen will be close. Finally, Oregon has its own slogan. It is "Keep Portland Wired." I saw this word on the big board downtown. This state doesn't want to be usual, so it wants to be unusual. It is wonderful. Oregon is proud of itself very much.
The second example of the character of Oregon is the university. We went to Columbia Basin College and Reed College. I could feel a lot of nature there. In Columbia Basin College, I found a small garden witch had a small river. I saw many students study in this garden. My student partner said to me, "This room is my favorite place. I can relax here." This area affects students' mind to study in good ways. And, in Reed College, I was surprised that there was a real forest in this university. We walked there and found some chairs and table. Students can study and talk with their friends in this place which is surrounded by nature. Compared to MWU, there is a few trees. We don't have such a relaxing place, so we just study in the classroom. When students study and study and study without relaxing, they will not be able to concentrate on studying. To feel relaxed, nature is one of the necessary ways to study.
The last example of characteristic in Oregon is the Columbia River. From the beginning to the end, we saw this river all the time. I said to Karen "Is that a lake?", because the flow was very slow. She told me that it is the Columbia River, and I learned that many dams control the flow of this river. Without these dams, the flow would be much faster, so this place would become dangerous. Of course, people are affected by dams, and so are salmon. Salmon come back to the birth river, but it becomes difficult to do that because dams cut off the salmon's route. Happily, I could find a real salmon on the way to Multnomah Falls. Even if there are some dams, some salmon can come back because people made artificial routes to save salmon. It is difficult to choose human life or salmon. When people try to make something in the nature, they have to care about what affect nature after that. In Oregon, people try to live in symbiosis with salmon.
In conclusion, the environment and history is different, so each state is also different. I could feel almost all the American cultures such as West Coast, South West and East Coast. These clearly reveal special characteristics. I am happy to experience many cultures in only eight months. America taught me that America is diverse.
The first example of the character of Oregon is the environment. There are three interesting characteristics. First, the weather is different. Compared to Spokane, Oregon is much wetter, Spokane's trees like pines can't live in Oregon because these trees need dry weather. Next, the tax law of Oregon State is different from other states. There is no sales tax. This system is very useful for visitors like us. How does Oregon govern itself without tax? Having land for the house in Oregon is very difficult because the price of land is much more expensive than Spokane. Using this money, this state supports citizens. I think it is a good way that the laws depend on the states because it will become easier to get citizen's ideas. The distance between government and citizen will be close. Finally, Oregon has its own slogan. It is "Keep Portland Wired." I saw this word on the big board downtown. This state doesn't want to be usual, so it wants to be unusual. It is wonderful. Oregon is proud of itself very much.
The second example of the character of Oregon is the university. We went to Columbia Basin College and Reed College. I could feel a lot of nature there. In Columbia Basin College, I found a small garden witch had a small river. I saw many students study in this garden. My student partner said to me, "This room is my favorite place. I can relax here." This area affects students' mind to study in good ways. And, in Reed College, I was surprised that there was a real forest in this university. We walked there and found some chairs and table. Students can study and talk with their friends in this place which is surrounded by nature. Compared to MWU, there is a few trees. We don't have such a relaxing place, so we just study in the classroom. When students study and study and study without relaxing, they will not be able to concentrate on studying. To feel relaxed, nature is one of the necessary ways to study.The last example of characteristic in Oregon is the Columbia River. From the beginning to the end, we saw this river all the time. I said to Karen "Is that a lake?", because the flow was very slow. She told me that it is the Columbia River, and I learned that many dams control the flow of this river. Without these dams, the flow would be much faster, so this place would become dangerous. Of course, people are affected by dams, and so are salmon. Salmon come back to the birth river, but it becomes difficult to do that because dams cut off the salmon's route. Happily, I could find a real salmon on the way to Multnomah Falls. Even if there are some dams, some salmon can come back because people made artificial routes to save salmon. It is difficult to choose human life or salmon. When people try to make something in the nature, they have to care about what affect nature after that. In Oregon, people try to live in symbiosis with salmon.
In conclusion, the environment and history is different, so each state is also different. I could feel almost all the American cultures such as West Coast, South West and East Coast. These clearly reveal special characteristics. I am happy to experience many cultures in only eight months. America taught me that America is diverse.