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 different nationality, such as Saudi
Arabian, Korean, and Japanese. I was impressed that their attitude of learning
English. They aren’t afraid of mistakes and they mention what they think all
the time. I should follow them. To visit many school is my precious memory.
Portland has a history deeply
related to Japanese. I’m really impressed at Japanese-American Memorial. There
are a lot of poems on stones which are written their feeling. The poems each
include deeply meaning. I was moved one of them. It is “Going home, feeling
cheated, gripping my daughter’s hand.” This poem seems to express confusing and
uneasiness. From this poem, I could guess how discrimination toward
Japanese-Americans was terrible and their life was miserable. In Japan, we have
not learn about Japanese-American a lot even though we are related to them. I think
Japanese should learn about it more. Therefore, it was great opportunity for me
to learn.
Portland
has not only a sad history, but also an interesting history. This is about John
McLoughlin who established and contributed to Oregon. We visited his old house.
It was an amazing experience for me, because I could enter the famous and great
person’s house. Also, I was able to learn life in those days. It was fun
experience.
In
conclusion, I learned and enjoyed a lot. It's the memory of a lifetime. I have
never forgot what I learned and a lot of impressive experiences.