MFWI Extension Writing Class

The Portland trip was one of the delightful events in the semester for me. I was looking forward to doing many things on the trip, and things that I experienced and learned were invaluable for me. Also there were many kinds of American culture such as, people, arts and history. All of them gave me a strong impact and whenever I learned new things, I was extremely excited. There were three topics were Columbia Basin College (CBC), the Japanese-American Memorial and Powell's City of Books. These places were especially impressive for me.              To tell the truth, I had been really excited to visit CBC, before I went there. I had a friend in the college and I knew that I was able to see her at the school. The friend came to Mukogawa Fort Right Institute last semester as a trip and I talked to her for a long time, so I was extremely glad when I saw her at the college. I talked about my topic and it was the first time to talk about my topic to an American student, so I worried ab

I absolutely have had a amazing time in this extension life all the time, so time has flown very fast since I came back here. There are many different activities and feelings from last semester. This life is busier than last semester, but I'm satisfied with all things that I did. There are two invaluable things that grew me up.  First, thanks to Extension students, I have a wonderful challenge to keep speaking English out of the class. We talk to each other in English, so my speaking skills improve a lot. I didn't notice how my speaking skills grew up, but my last RA said that your talking skill became better than the last semester. I was very happy to hear that, because I didn't think that I could improve my speaking skills. It was big challenge for me to keep speaking English, but it changed me. I'm talkative in Japanese, so one of my goals is to be talkative in English. I think that I can achive this goal by the end of this semester, because gradually, I become m

About 2 months have passed since I came back here, and I have had a lot of marvelous experiences. This semester, we've had some different classes from last semester, and many opportunities to communicate with Americans. Also, I have learned a lot of things through the classes, a homestay, and talking with people in the US. LCD First, I have learned differences between Japan and other countries. We Extension Students had LCD (Language Culture Days) class which is that guests come to our class and discuss or tell us about the topic. I enjoyed the class every week, because I could learn many cultural differences or things that I didn't know by wonderful guests, and it changed my thoughts. Also, we have some opportunities to go to other universities in the US. We already went to some universities, and took classes. The classes were also a little different from Japan such as a teacher’s way of teaching or student’s participation. It was really interesting for me. Additionally,

The Extension program is drawing to an end. We have only a month and a week left before we leave Spokane. I experienced various things through the classes, especially Learning Culture Day. I've learned tons of intriguing things, and they actually made me tolerant. So I'd like to note about one of my most impressive sections, the teenage diet section. There are two main reasons it was the best in my opinion. First, at that time, I surely learned that there are some cultural or situational differences about body images and teenage dieting. In actual, I emphatically looked forward to coming that day because I had wondered about that before that day. For example, I gained over 7 kilograms during last semester, but I was not so self-conscious about that in Spokane. However, when I go back to Japan, my family was surprised to take a look at me at the airport, and they all said to me that I gained a lot and I should have been on a diet. It was unexpected because nobody had said to m

     Extension students went to Portland, Oregon from November 13th to 16th. Through this trip, I  enjoyed communication with people, noticed that my country is awesome, and learned a lot about American history and culture. I will talk about three things that I especially enjoyed during the trip.      First of all, relationships with people made me happy. On first day, we visited Columbia Basin College and talked with students who take Japanese class. I talked about my presentation topic to students. My topic was sometimes difficult to understand but they listened to my story carefully and tried to comprehend. Moreover they asked me a lot of questions, so I could notice what everyone wanted to know about my topic and what was  my fault of explanations. It was absolutely a good opportunity to practice my presentation. Before talking to them, I haven't had confidence about my presentation, but I gained a little confidence because of them. Therefore, I really appreciate students'

    Through this Portland Trip, I learned a lot of thing. That were precious experiences for me.  I prefer this town to Seattle because I was in love with the neat rows of streets and beautiful buildings. Today, I'm writing about three things in which I'm interested. It is Mcloughlin House, Portland Saturday Market and volleyball game. Those things were wonderful memory for me.      First of all, there are incredible truths in Mcloughlin House. That was because people used only one horse to move this house to its present location, fifty beavers were used for one hut and a chamber pot was had as a toilet. First, while the house was moved, the horse walked around a circle. At first I thought it was impossible to do that, because a house is very heavy, however people used capstan. That's why it was possible to move a house. Next, per one huts fifty beavers were needed, it costs about 10,000 dollars. I knew how rich he was. When I touched this huts, I felt good. Finally, a

Are you intoxicated when you hear about the New World? Who is a passionate travel bug like James Cook, and settlers who inhabited some countries? Who loves traveling and learning history, especially those that hounded stirring expeditions in the past? We, Extension students, went on a lively journey to Portland, Oregon. I've earned some marvelous prosperity by inspecting the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, the volleyball match at Portland State University, and Tebo’s restaurant. First, we stopped by the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, and we underwent the liveliest incident and earned a supplementary perception. The most vibrant thing that occurred there was that I did fire a rifle for the very first time in my entire life. Since we’re exchange students and have stayed in the MFWI campus, we are not allowed to use firearms. I've been attracted by using guns but for that reason, I lost my hope of doing so. Though the noise of the rifle was tremendously deafening, it was t

     Have you ever been to Portland? I could learn a lot of things in Portland. I like Portland so much. Especially, I enjoyed Portland English Language Academy, McLoughlin House and Powell's City of Books.      First, Portland English Language Academy was an enjoyable place for me. Before I entered the class, I was really nervous, because I can't keep talking with people whom I meet for the first time. However, this time was totally different. I had an activity of conversation to talk with every student. It made me comfortable. After that activity, I had a conversation about students' research such as selfie and future jobs. It was really interesting for me because I could hear various opinions about that. Then, the teacher recommended international students to talk about three favorite places in Portland. I learned more about Portland. Those activities were really helpful for me to talk with international students.      Next, McLoughlin House showed me culture. I was su

Happy halloween I participated American holiday that Halloween on October 30 and 31. I had never participated it so I didn't know Halloween is incredibly hilarious holiday. I cerebrated Halloween holiday with Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute students and my host famory. I have three interesting opportunity about this holiday. First, I had a Halloween party at MFWI. I was wear maid costume and I did face paint of cat. Some people did face paint. Most of their face paint ware scealy or grotesk paints and also it was high- quality.I recommend one of them face paint. She have gipper on her face and her bottom of face was red it looks like blood. It was so grotesque but have a reality. I interest in Jack-o-lantern and unique costumes, for example TED,Teletubbies, and terrified Disney princes. In Japan, I had never made Jack-o-lantern because Japanese pumpkin is totally different from America, for example color, shape and hardness. And also I had never seen a lot of kind of costumes.

I had a really great time since I came to America as Extension student. It is totally different from last semester. There are a lot of hard work and tons of homework. These things were unimaginable to me before I came back to America. On the other hand, there are a lot of magnificent experiences and encounters more than last semester. These things make have helped me to grow. Also, busy days enrich my life in America. There are three things that make me grown.  Enjoynable America Life First of all, LCD classes (Language Culture Day) give me wonderful occasions that I talk with native speakers about various topics. This class is very interesting and motivating. Also, LCD class is not only talk with native speakers but also learn American values. When I talked about gun control, I was really surprised about their opinions. I believed that guns have to legal because it is very dangerous. However, their opinions were “NO” because many people are using guns as leisure. Also, it is

It has passed more than two month since I came back MFWI, and I experienced a lot of things, through our life in Spokane. Extension program has some different program from regular program. The much best things of extension program I think is that I am able to meet many people AGAIN, especially host family is special. One of reasons that I decide to join extension program is I wanted to meet them again. And I could go on homestay alone through extension program. It was my best memory so far. Though homestay, I could understand American culture and make good relationship with them. sweet host family and gorgeous home  First, I went on the Halloween party at my host family’s house on October 31th. It was totally fantastic, because I can’t experience this party in Japan and I could know one of American holiday. My host family is amiable, they invited friends and we had a party with 10 people. Everyone who took part in this party wore Halloween costume. I can’t imagine my parents and

                It was a valuable opportunity to enjoy and learn and a lot. Portland is a historical and beautiful city. On the other hand, it is a metropolitan city which has many high building for business and big shopping mall. I had a great time in this city.               We had opportunities to interact with many students. First, I visited students who are interested in Japan at Columbia Basin College. I was surprised at the students, because they are enthusiastic about leaning about Japan. I could know the pleasure of sharing difference in culture and teach them about Japan. Japan locates far from America. Of cause, there are a lot of cultural differences between Japan and America. Almost all of the student have never been to Japan. I was glad to teach them many Japanese cultures. Also, I could know about American culture and American students. It was very fun. Second, I visited an international school. Students learn English in there same as us. They each have differe

Today, it is said that the Japanese language we speak is different from the Japanese language our ancestors spoke. Does this mean our thought and values have completely changed? Actually,….NO. Japanese culture has changed and Japanese industry has developed, but today’s Japanese people and ancient people still share some aspects of the same sense of values. This presentation will show how people think about Japanese language. Moreover, through Japanese language, this presentation will demonstrate today’s Japanese people’s sense of values. Presentation Date: Monday, December 1   Source: http://www.lifehacker.jp

    There is a great number of vegetables in Japan. However, the number of original Japanese vegetables is very small. Almost all Japanese vegetables came from other countries. Around the 19th century, the government worked hard to introduce farm products, including overseas vegetables. The abundance of types of vegetables in Japan stands out. After many vegetables came to Japan, the Japanese improved these vegetables to be suited to Japanese land over the years. Also, they invented many kinds of traditional vegetables, such as Kyoto vegetables, and Kaga vegetables. These vegetables were cultivated as an important food throughout Japan and they have played a role in supporting the cultural life of the local. Japanese not only improved vegetables, but also they created a traditional custom called “Seven herb rice porridge” as an annual event in Japan. The efforts of the Japanese gave rise to the foundation of Japanese vegetables over the years.

  This presentation will discuss the Japanese medical insurance system.   There are three big groups of medical insurance in Japan: insurance provided by employers; insurance for those over 75 years old people are provided medical insurance and national health care for by people who don’t have a job or for day laborers.   As a result, every Japanese can apply for some medical insurance and treatment whenever they need.   The presenter will show now it is a very useful affordable system for Japanese.   However, the insurance system is costly for employers and government.     Presentation Date: Wednesday, December 3                                                                                             Source:  awr.aflac.com

     As a vital food, rice has an important role to support more than 1 million people's lives in the world. Japan is one of the countries which depend  on rice as a predominant part of their meals. In fact, the contribution of rice on Japanese society is remarkable and rice has never been considered separately with the daily life of Japanese people. There was always a connection between rice and people, rice and development, and rice and country. However, as it is said that the food choice by Japanese people has shifted, they eat more bread and noodles than in the past. Rice will no longer be the Japanese main staple. This presentation will show how rice has influenced the  country, how Japanese farmers work to make such a rich taste and how rice has faded away into modern Japan. By understanding the history of rice, people would love rice more and it is the purpose of this presentation. Presentation Day - December 1

Source: yakei-kabegami.com Have you ever heard of Osaka? Osaka is a prefecture in Japan and located in the middle of Japan. Osaka is the second smallest prefecture. On the other hand, Osaka has the third largest population in Japan. Osaka also has Osaka city which is famous for historical, supurb and fascinating places. They are very wonderful, so the city abounds in places where everyone from adults to children can enjoy. The presenter will talk about three well-known tourist places where Japanese people and foreign people love. These three things are a renowned tower called Tsuten-Kaku, mouthwatering Japanese food restaurant and absorbing things in Shi-Sekai and Shinsai-Bashi which are Osaka neighborhoods and gigantic and exquisite building called Osaka Castle. Presentation date: December 2

Do you know your sister city Nishinomiya, Japan well? Nishinomiya city has been a sister city of Spokane from 1961. Nishinomiya city is in Hyogo prefecture and is located in the middle of Japan between Osaka city and Kobe city. Nishinomiya has a rich natural environment including mountains, rivers, and the sea. The presentation will discuss first interesting Nishinomiya history through its activities as a sister city and the Great Hanshin – Awaji earthquake, second a famous baseball stadium in the city, its history and how it is different between Japanese baseball and America baseball, and third a famous shrine and interesting events at the shrine in Nishinomiya. Nishinomiya city has great ties among its people and international people through its history, a famous baseball stadium and a popular shrine. Presentation Date: Tuesday, December 2 Source: allposters.com

    http://beauty-places.com/mount-fuji/ A Japanese Treasure, Mount Fuji, is the highest mountain in Japan at 3776 meters (12,388 feet). We Japanese call it Fuji-san or Fuji-Yama. Because of its  magnificent and beautiful figure, it has been considered an object of worship since ancient times. It also has inspired a lot of works like literature or pictures as an object of artistic activities. Mt. Fuji was placed on the World Heritage List in 2013, and it is loved by people all over the world. Every year, many people enjoy climbing it, and they have a wonderful experience. This presentation will talk about its history, how to climb it, and interesting stories surrounding Mt. Fuji. Presentation date: December 3

Have you ever thought about history and meaning of your country’s symbol? All countries have a symbol. The Japanese crane is not just a beautiful bird, it take a sad history, story of Sadako and the symbol of long life. Just this bird has a lot of meanings. This presentation will explain that the symbol teaches us about our country’s many traditions.        　　　　　　　　　　                Soure: washingtongff.blogspot.com Presentation Date: December 1st

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　      As you know Japan has a long history. Sake is an important part of Japan. Sake’s character is simple but also complex. For example, Sake’s flavor will change with just water. Sake is a really delicate alcohol. This presentation will discuss the ingredients, cups, the person who make Sake, and how to enjoy drinking Sake.   You will discover Sake’s   appeal.                                                            gurum.biz/articles/14952.html Dec,2