Portland trip was an absolutely precious trip to learn, feel and
touch with different culture.
First of all, visiting the Portland English Language Academy (PELA)
was a beneficial time and a great opportunity to learn different country’s culture.
My partner from at PELA students was a man who was from Saudi Arabia. He taught
me some information about his country’s special culture which I had never heard.
First, in Saudi Arabia, a school is completely divided by the same sex. For
example, there are schools for only males or for only females in Saudi Arabia.
Therefore, it is new for him to take a class with female students in the same.
However, I was wondering how Arabic men made their girlfriends or wives. According
to him, in Saudi Arabian culture, the touching between men and women is not
allowed and they can’t meet each other until they get married. My partner was
married but he had never had a girlfriend in his life, because his faith which
we can have only wife was very strong. I felt their different and strong
religion.
Next, it was a wonderful time to talk with
warm and friendly people and I realize a great point of a market at the
Portland Saturday Market. There were various kinds of hand-made merchandise and
friendly sellers. I was impressed by the seller’s warm attitude and their
hand-made works. I was aware of good points of a market unlike a franchise chain store. For example, each work was only one
in the world, and it was more comfortable to have conversation with the
sellers. Some stuffs were creative and other ones are recycled such as old
record jackets or CDs. I tried to talk with sellers as much as possible and I
asked why they had started to make them. Their warm attitudes and friendly
minds made me feel comfortable and impressive.
Next, it was a wonderful time to talk with
warm and friendly people and I realize a great point of a market at the
Portland Saturday Market. There were various kinds of hand-made merchandise and
friendly sellers. I was impressed by the seller’s warm attitude and their
hand-made works. I was aware of good points of a market unlike a franchise chain store. For example, each work was only one
in the world, and it was more comfortable to have conversation with the
sellers. Some stuffs were creative and other ones are recycled such as old
record jackets or CDs. I tried to talk with sellers as much as possible and I
asked why they had started to make them. Their warm attitudes and friendly
minds made me feel comfortable and impressive.
Next, watching a game at Portland State
University was a fabulous opportunity to feel different culture. Volleyball is
one of my favorite sports, and also it’s my first time to watch a live American
college volleyball game, therefore, I really enjoyed it. The game was high
level and very exciting, moreover, a cheering style of spectators was amazing. Especially
after a team got a point, the atmosphere in the stadium and the passion of the
viewers were fantastic. Mostly I heard the following phrases during the game for
cheering, including “Come on ladies! Go Vicks! Keep going!” These cheerful
voices made me excited. In addition to that, during the time out, there were
some fun entertainment such as a dancing, a game and candy catching. I felt it
was American style which everyone can enjoy the game.
Finally, during this trip I learned great
culture differences by feeling, touching, talking and watching, and it
benefited me very much.