All experiences in the Portland trip gave me a chance to think about my future. There are some experiences that are really helpful to me. For example, learning new cultures in the city was a good opportunity to notice differences from Spokane. Getting special information from other college students was valuable. Also having conversations with local people was a great practice for my English speaking skill. These three benefits will be necessary for having a wide view to be an international person.
First, I found some cultural differences in Portland. My impression of that area was that the city that has many Asian people. I saw many Asian restaurants and people in the shopping mall. Also I saw Chinese customers and the server talked in Chinese. I was surprised at that situation. This city is located near the Pacific Ocean. It is closer than Spokane. So there are many people who came from Asian countries, and this area was developed by their power. The atmosphere was more like a city than Spokane. Many things made me excited to feel new culture. For example, there were many tall buildings, rail road, big shopping malls, traffic jams, people, and books. My favorite place in this trip was Powell's book store. In this store, there were many books and people who love reading books. The mood inside of the store was quiet, but it was filled with people's enthusiasm. In Spokane, there are never many customers in bookstores. On the other hand, people in Portland looked busier than Spokane. I think it was a difference of culture. Knowing new cultures is good for me, because it let me to be interested in new things every time.
I also found many differences through visiting school. The differences were all new for me. The most interesting thing was the system of tests in Reed college. In that college, students can take tests where they like to, because teachers trust students about no cheating. I've never heard of such a special system. This rule was based on Reed college's policy. Second, we went to see a Portland State University Volleyball game. It was my first time to see a university's sports game and volleyball game. There were some special cheering members who wore green tights. I was excited to see them, and also there were many local people who love that team. It was a good experience for me to know American University and community's relationship. Next, we visited Columbia Basin College. On the first day of the trip. I discussed my presentation topic with the college students. I was surprised by the students, because there were one high school girl who goes to the college Monday to Thursday to attend Japanese class. It is unusual in Japan, and I'm not familiar with American college style such as that girl. I got information by asking questions. I felt how important it is to ask questions in conversations.
In this trip, I enjoyed talking with many people. I had an exciting conversation in the swimming pool in the hotel. Two people who I don't know asked us about the time, then we started talking. They talked about their hometown, Hollywood. It was very fun. I also talked about ourselves. The most valuable experience was the discussion with Columbia Basin College students. I'd never tried discussing out of the class for my presentation topic. In Reed college, we didn't have time to see many students, but I asked two questions in the lecture. I think it was a good opportunity to understand that college and the person who had held the lecture for us. When I get my job in the future, I may have to communicate with many people who I don't know. It was a valuable experience because people who I met on this trip I may not see again.
Finally, this trip was very beneficial for me. I couldn't realized how necessary it is for me to use English until this trip. I'd thought I should use English because I am in America. I found a truth that I can communicate with people who speak only English or other languages. I didn't noticed that in the life in Spokane, but I did in Portland.
First, I found some cultural differences in Portland. My impression of that area was that the city that has many Asian people. I saw many Asian restaurants and people in the shopping mall. Also I saw Chinese customers and the server talked in Chinese. I was surprised at that situation. This city is located near the Pacific Ocean. It is closer than Spokane. So there are many people who came from Asian countries, and this area was developed by their power. The atmosphere was more like a city than Spokane. Many things made me excited to feel new culture. For example, there were many tall buildings, rail road, big shopping malls, traffic jams, people, and books. My favorite place in this trip was Powell's book store. In this store, there were many books and people who love reading books. The mood inside of the store was quiet, but it was filled with people's enthusiasm. In Spokane, there are never many customers in bookstores. On the other hand, people in Portland looked busier than Spokane. I think it was a difference of culture. Knowing new cultures is good for me, because it let me to be interested in new things every time.
I also found many differences through visiting school. The differences were all new for me. The most interesting thing was the system of tests in Reed college. In that college, students can take tests where they like to, because teachers trust students about no cheating. I've never heard of such a special system. This rule was based on Reed college's policy. Second, we went to see a Portland State University Volleyball game. It was my first time to see a university's sports game and volleyball game. There were some special cheering members who wore green tights. I was excited to see them, and also there were many local people who love that team. It was a good experience for me to know American University and community's relationship. Next, we visited Columbia Basin College. On the first day of the trip. I discussed my presentation topic with the college students. I was surprised by the students, because there were one high school girl who goes to the college Monday to Thursday to attend Japanese class. It is unusual in Japan, and I'm not familiar with American college style such as that girl. I got information by asking questions. I felt how important it is to ask questions in conversations.In this trip, I enjoyed talking with many people. I had an exciting conversation in the swimming pool in the hotel. Two people who I don't know asked us about the time, then we started talking. They talked about their hometown, Hollywood. It was very fun. I also talked about ourselves. The most valuable experience was the discussion with Columbia Basin College students. I'd never tried discussing out of the class for my presentation topic. In Reed college, we didn't have time to see many students, but I asked two questions in the lecture. I think it was a good opportunity to understand that college and the person who had held the lecture for us. When I get my job in the future, I may have to communicate with many people who I don't know. It was a valuable experience because people who I met on this trip I may not see again.
Finally, this trip was very beneficial for me. I couldn't realized how necessary it is for me to use English until this trip. I'd thought I should use English because I am in America. I found a truth that I can communicate with people who speak only English or other languages. I didn't noticed that in the life in Spokane, but I did in Portland.