Posts published in “Cultural Understanding”

Stories for cross-cultural understanding

Gender Language

February 28, 2024

By Yui Takeda

In the world, a lot of people think that men and women speak differently. Also, features of gender differences in language is different between Japan and other country. Then, this essay compares three expert’s essays. First essay is written about comparing Japanese and English, second is about Japanese and Chinese, the last one is about Japanese and Korean.
Kumadaki (2006) compared proverbs in Japanese and English. She said that proverbs express historical views on men and women that have been passed down from ancient times, and we can get a glimpse of what kind of stereotypes a society holds regarding gender differences. Also, the number of proverbs which is written about women is more than one’s about men. For example, they are written about women’s appearance, attitude, and so on. Besides, there are many Japanese proverbs that “evaluate or criticize women negatively,” and that there are also many that “talk about appearance and makeup.” On the other hand, there are proverbs that relate to men’s attitudes and behavior, the division of roles, and say that men are superior. However, there are extremely few proverbs in English that relate to men, and like in Japanese, many of them are targeted at women. From the above results, she said that “views of men and women” have been constructed through words since ancient times, and these ideas implicitly reflect the division of roles and values between men and women, and these ideas become fixed ideas. There is still a tendency to view things from the perspective of men and women from the past, and this can be said to have created gender differences that continue without being recognized much to this day.
Then, next one is the compering Japanese and Korean. Kim the degree of gender differences varies depending on the language, with some languages having large gender differences and others having small gender differences. Japanese is a representative language with large gender differences, and there are expressions unique to women that differ from those used by men, such as final particles, personal pronouns, beautifying words, and interjections, and there is clearly a language variant called feminine language, and the same goes for masculine words. On the other hand, Korean is said to be a language with very small linguistic gender differences. If you listen to actual utterances, you can easily distinguish between men and women because the pitch and quality of their voice are different, but if you transcribe that into text, the differences between men and women almost disappear.
The last one is the comparing Japanese and Chinese. Kawasaki (2011) said that in modern Chinese, there are no gender differences between the words in Japanese, as they are clearly visible to everyone, such as personal pronouns and final particles. However, previous research has revealed that there are still differences between men and women and age in terms of phonology, vocabulary, expressions, and oral habits. A survey of habitual phrases shows that young women tend to mumble buzzwords, the use of low-level insults that can be taken as insults, the use of English, and the frequent use of words of words surprise and admiration.
In this way, there are differences between Japanese and other languages. Especially, Japanese have more gender differences than Korean and Chinese. According to The Agency for Cultural Affairs, many languages have differences in word usage based on gender. Even in Japanese, there are vocabulary and linguistic practices that are used characteristically by each gender, we should not insist on fixed gender differences in language. However, no matter which gender they belong to, each person should use language and topics that are acceptable as self-expression and that are appropriate to the person and the situation. It is desirable to make choices and engage in rich communication.

School Lunches in Japan and the U.S.

School Lunches in Japan and the U.S.

August 10, 2023

By Tomoka Eri
When, where, and how did school lunches begin and spread around the world? There are a lot of theories about the beginnings of school lunches, but it is said to have started in the 18th century in Munich, Germany, when aristocrats fed poor children. Later, school lunches were provided in a lot of countries around the world as an effective means of combating poverty. School lunches are very familiar in Japan, and most elementary and junior high schools offer them. Similarly, school lunches are available in the United States. However, there are interesting differences between Japanese school lunches and American one.

     Firstly, where school lunches are eaten is different. In Japan, each class eats school lunch in the classroom. Then everyone in the class, including the teacher, prepares for school lunch together. After saying “Itadakimasu” a greeting of gratitude for the food, everyone eats together. In the U.S., however, students are instructed to eat in the cafeteria or outdoors at lunch tables. Therefore, in the U.S. there is no need for school lunch duties such as, serving food. Lunch breaks in the U.S. are very casual, so they can eat lunch wherever they want with whomever they want.
      Secondly, there is a difference in the frequency of eating school lunch. In Japan, all students eat school lunch almost every day, so Japanese students pay a monthly school lunch fee once a month. In the U.S., however, students apply to the school only when they need a school lunch and eat it. Therefore, many students in the U.S. bring their own lunch boxes from home, and when this is not possible, they eat school lunches so that each student can have lunch as they like, so American students pay for every school lunch, and in some schools, when students authenticate their student ID cards, the money spent on school lunches is deducted from the registered parent’s bank account.
     Thirdly, there is a difference in the school lunch menu. In Japan, a nutritionist prepares a very healthy and varied menu, considering the nutritional balance of the day. For example, there are menu items such as rice, miso soup filled with vegetables such as onions, carrots, and radishes, fried chicken, a salad that has been cooked and milk. However, school lunches in the U.S. have fewer varieties than in Japan and are rotated among several types throughout the year. Furthermore, they are relatively high in milk and fat and low in dietary fiber. Examples of American school lunch menus are hot dogs and French fries, raw vegetables, potato-chips, pizza, and whole apples, and the style is to pick and choose what they like.
      From the above, both Japan and the U.S. consider school lunches important as a remedy for children to grow up healthy and not to be deprived of food. However, there are a lot of differences between Japanese and U.S. school lunches, in terms of location, provenance, and menu, and both are suited to the characteristics of each region.

Daiso, Popular 100-yen Shop in Japan

Daiso, Popular 100-yen Shop in Japan

August 25, 2022

USJ students are loyal customers of Daiso

Daiso, the Japanese 100-yen shop, is very popular in Japan. Daiso can be found across Japan and there are two Daiso shops near the University of Shimane. The reason for Daiso’s popularity is its low price. Most products are unified to 100 yen. Japanese 100 yen is equal to about 0.79 dollars, and you can see that it is very reasonable. Isn’t it amazing that you can buy household goods, such as kitchen utensils such as tableware, storage boxes and stationary at such a low price? (Naoto Hakata)

But the price is not the only reason of their popularity. A wide variety of foods such as frozen foods, confectionery, and preserved foods are sold. If you want to buy sweets, go to Daiso and you’ll be all set. I got upset when I did not find my favorite sweets at a convenience store. To my great delight, I found them at Daiso. I was very impressed. Daiso never disappoint me. (Fujimoto Masanari)

Daiso keeps pleasing their customers with everlasting new products. I had a part-time job at Daiso. Even four months after I started working there, I couldn’t remember the location of all the products. Unbelievable, isn’t it? This is because Daiso releases new products almost every week. The number of products is increasing day by day. (Inoue Mizuki)

Daiso products are very useful. This item, a plastic container, is for making onsen tamago-Japanese soft-cooked egg. Onsen tamago is very difficult to cook, because the temperature should be kept just right for the center to be cooked but the white should not be overcooked. But with this product, you get this problem solved! Just add an egg to the plastic container and pour three tablespoons of water, and heat it in the microwave (500W) for 1 minute. This Daiso product makes it easy to prepare onsen tamago at home. (Mimura Satsuki)

Another useful product is the container for making pasta. I always found it troublesome to cooking pasta. One day, I accidentally came across this item and decided to give it a try at home. All I had to do was to put water and pasta in a container and heat in the microwave. I could enjoy an ideal taste just by doing that. I was so amazed at this fresh idea! (Ogoshi Masaya)

In addition to the useful items, Daiso sells amazingly cute products, too. Plates are one of Daiso’s popular products. The price is low and the cost performance is good. But that is not all. Look at the picture. The designs are very cute, aren’t they? That’s why Daiso is so popular in Japan. (Yoda Kohei)

You must wonder why Daiso can manage to do this. The reason is that the design and structure is simple, and the manufacturing cost is reduced by using low-priced materials than those of other makers. In this way, many daily items are easily available for customers. It will be great fun to make new discoveries just by looking around the stores. Why don’t you shop at Daiso? You might become a loyal customer! (Hakata Naoto)

The Idioms that Changed Me

The Idioms that Changed Me

August 25, 2022

By Minori Tanaka

When I was first in my year of high school, I did not do my assignments every time and I did not listen to class. After I finished club, I always went to karaoke or played around station with my friends until midnight. Every time I went home at midnight, my mother scolded me. When I think about it now, I was a very stupid student. But one day of my second year of high school, when I went to the library in the high school, I saw a book. The book is written about two idioms. These idioms become changing me, because it changed my behaviors in high school, motivated me in different situations, and helps me to inspire others.
     “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”. This idiom means that no matter how difficult the road, if you have the will to do it, you will be able to open it. This idiom resonated with me. When I saw this idiom, I thought about myself. I ought, “My lifestyle is so very shameful. I can’t go to university as I am now.” At that time, I went to English school. So, I started thinking that I wanted to go to university, and then I wanted to study English. This incident was a miracle.
     “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it”.
When I felt painful, I saw this idiom every time. Sometimes, I was criticized by the teacher. The teacher often told me “You cannot pass the university, because you are stupid. But I remembered this idiom and did my best. I get encouraged when I see this idiom.
     Finally, I passed this university in March. Now, I do many assignments very hard every time. Also, I advise high school juniors to study for entrance exam. In addition, I try everything that I want to do. The person that I was four years ago and the person that I am now are very different person. Recently, there are some people who not confident in themselves. Even if they want to do it, some people think that they can’t, and eventually they give up. Me too. Originally, I was a person who gave up every time. I might be able to do it, but I always gave up. However, if people have a strong will, it should be surely come true. “Action is the foundational key to all success”. All action is no waste.
     I never thought that some idioms would change my life so much. If people feel painful, they may want to look up some idioms. They make people relaxed and positive. I changed my life by finding two idioms that “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” and “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it”. No one people can’t do it. If people have will, they can do anything. If I had not come across these idioms, I would not be there now. Now I am thankful that I have come across these idioms.

Students Should be Required to Wear Uniforms in School

August 25, 2022

By Aika Tatano

School uniform have been worn by many students for hundreds of years. There are schools which do not have uniform, but students should be required to wear uniform in school. School uniform has some good roles, and school uniform is Japanese traditional culture. For instance, school uniform is a symbol of the school, school uniform is economical, and school uniform can wear for a long time. In this way, it is good for students to wear the school uniform, so students should be required to wear uniform in school for these 3 reasons.

First, a school uniform is a symbol of the school. If students wear uniforms, people can notice which school students are in by looking at the uniforms. So, if they do good things or bad things, people can inform the school. For instance, if they helped people in the city, people could notice school of them by uniform, so the school’s reputation improves. On the other hand, if they steal something in the city, people could notice their school by their uniform, so the school’s reputation will be bad. Therefore, they can have a sense of responsibility as student at each school. It is important for students to grow in emotional maturity by seeing their behavior as associated with the school uniform.

Second, a school uniform is economical because students don’t need to buy a lot of clothes. If students wear plain clothes every day, they need to buy a lot of clothes. However, if they wear school uniform, they do not need to buy a new uniform many times. So, the financial burden is reduced by school uniform. Also, a school uniform is strong, so students can wear the same uniform for three years. And a school uniform can be used for a long time. For instance, if one student graduates from the school, they could hard over the uniform to younger people such as a sister, a brother, or a friend’s sister or brother. So that, it is economical to buy school uniforms.

Thirdly, school uniform is a Japanese tradition, so students wear school uniform for a long time. Male students wear school uniforms and female students wear sailor suits. Their designs different slightly from school to school. So, it is a feature of the school. Also, some students decide on a school based on their uniform design. In this way, there are students who enjoy school uniform. In addition to, school uniform was born for the students to wear equal garments. This tradition should be cherished for future students. In this way, school uniform’s tradition has a lot of meaning for students.

The examples above are only a small sample that students should be required to wear uniform in school. School uniform has a lot of good roles such as it is economical, and encourages good better so students should be required to wear uniform in school. However, not all schools will adopt uniforms in the future. It is important for students to know about charm of school uniform. Then, the school uniform system will become more widespread, and more schools will adopt school uniforms. For these reasons, students should be required to wear uniform in school in the future.

Benefits of Playing Team Sports

August 25, 2022

By Saki Shimoda

When you were a high school student, what sport club did you try to belong to? Someone would you say they would join in the track team, someone would say they would join in the soccer team. There are two types of clubs: individual and team competitions. I think that not many people want to competition individually. On the other hand, many do not want to compete as a team. why are there so many of these people? Many people think that doing things in a group adds a lot of hassle. However, there are many positive effects of playing a team sport on young people in the long run.

Team sports helps make many friends. It may be tricky, but it also brings good things in its wake. It can make a lot of friends and find someone who fits your needs. Maybe that could become a long-time best friend. In fact, I found many friends and best friends on the club team that I am still close to after 9 years. In addition, you can rejoice and encourage together. The joy gained from working together with teammates is many times greater than the joy gained alone. Furthermore, rivals can do it within the same team, so they can enhance each other.

Next, you can develop cooperative skills. I think that what is important in team sports is not only technical skills but also good rapport. In order to get along with a large number of people, we need to care for each other. Also, if you act individually when you’re working as a team, you know you’re going to get angry. In the situation, the cooperation gained will be very useful in life in society. People often required to live in groups at school and at work. If you have cooperation skills, you can build good relationships.

Finally, people can be active in situations outside of the club as an adult. For example, PTA table tennis and volleyball tournaments or parent-child recreation, etc. even if you don’t want to do these things, it’s hard to avoid this kind of interaction as an adult. if you were a track and field athlete and still quick on your feet as an adult, you might find it useful in many situations, such as sports day. However, as people get older, their feet don’t keep up and they more concerned with not cooking up than with speed. In contrast, many team sports require skills, many of which are ingrained in the body and can be utilized even when you’re no longer young.

To summarize, people can make many friends and find your best friend, foster cooperation, and have ability to use it as an adult. There are a number of positive effects of playing a team sport eventually. The more people involved, the more work you have to do, but the more you can experience many different forms of things you can’t do alone. Lastly, I recommend you to play basketball! It could make your life more enjoyable.

The Use of Honorifics With Non-Japanese

November 7, 2020

By Keilyn Henneberry, Gotsu Senior High School

Japanese children are taught from a young age to respect others by using honorifics. However, non-Japanese who live in Japan, such as ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) and international students, are not taught the same rules. This could lead to serious problems for Japan’s society and International relations. The honorific ‘san’ is the most common honorific to be used in Japan, for teachers, it is ‘Sensei’. However, while ALTs are taught to use these, they are not taught to expect them to be used with them.

I noticed the ALT at my school was not being treated like other teachers. She is spoken to by only her first name, without an honorific, by both teachers and students. Teachers use honorifics to other teachers even when they are not around. However, when they mention the ALT’s name, they don’t use honorifics. From that behavior students learn not to use honorifics for ALTs.

One classmate, an international student from Taiwan, was called on by the teacher without honorifics even though the teachers always used honorifics with Japanese students. In classes, all students are called on with honorifics such as ‘Suzuki-san’. However, international students are referred to by first name without honorifics by both teachers and students. Teachers always use honorifics with their students, so why not with international students? In addition, my own brother who is a Japanese American was called on by his teacher without the honorific ‘san’. This is not only a problem towards international students but also non-Japanese and mixed-race children growing up in Japan.

Additionally, my own father, who is a professor at a university, deals with this on a regular basis. His students often call him ‘Henneberry’ instead of ‘Henneberry Sensei’ or ‘Mr. Henneberry’. This illustrates many university students continue this behavior which they learned in primary and secondary school.

In most cases, when Japanese people don’t use honorifics, it is with family members and close friends. This is a form of intimacy referred to as ‘Yobisute’ in Japanese. However, can we call it intimacy when Japanese teachers speak with non-Japanese colleagues without honorifics?

I had an opportunity to talk about this topic online with a group of English teachers and ALTs working all over Japan. Every single one of them had experienced this at least once in their lives in this country, and most of them experience it on a regular basis. One ALT shared her experience at her school, where there were two ALTs. While the other ALT was referred to as Sensei, she was not. She was told that the Japanese teachers assumed it would be too difficult for students to pronounce her last name, so the Japanese teachers did not offer the students the opportunity to use honorifics with her. Therefore, students were instructed to use her first name only. However, she eventually succeeded and convinced the teachers that they were taking a learning opportunity away from the students. The students now use her family name with the ‘Sensei’ honorific.

Each of us can stand up to this issue. For example, when my brother’s teacher called him ‘Henneberry’ and not ‘Henneberry-san’, he ignored the teacher until the teacher said ‘Henneberry-san’. Just like the ALT above, my brother stood up for himself to be referred to with the correct honorific. However, this is not enough to resolve this national problem.

To solve this issue, first, people must acknowledge that this is happening in our society. A lot of people are not even aware of this issue. When I spoke about this to my friends, they were surprised that this was even a problem. This problem has been hard to recognize because of a lack of cross-cultural understanding. It was easier for me to recognize this issue because I have two cultural backgrounds; my mother is Japanese, and my father is from the USA. I see American culture through Japanese eyes and I also see Japanese culture through American eyes. Therefore, this lack of honorifics with non-Japanese stands out clearly for me.

However, ALTs are not fully aware of the honorifics culture in Japan. They are taught to use honorifics when speaking with Japanese people, but not taught to expect honorifics to be used for them. Therefore, they do not realize that they are being spoken to in such an intimate or disrespectful manner. They must be taught to expect the honorifics ‘san’ or ‘Sensei’ to be used with them as well.

This issue will have negative effects on Japan’s society and following generations. By not addressing this issue, Japanese people will continue this cycle of “accidentally” disrespecting non-Japanese. As such, MEXT (Ministry of Education, culture, sports, science and Technology) must change the educational system on how to teach Japanese honorifics to ALTs and people coming from different countries. They must be taught to speak to Japanese people with respect and to expect the same in return. In addition, teachers and students must be taught to use honorifics with ALTs and non-Japanese. Why do non-Japanese people have to fight for such respect, when Japanese people do not have to? Without policy change, this problem will not go away. We all must learn to be better. We must all learn to speak to each other with respect, regardless of race or natural origin, and MEXT should establish policy changes to ensure this.

Children Waiting for me at Donparape Library

Children Waiting for me at Donparape Library

February 17, 2020

By Taichi Urabe

The University of Shimane

Do you know the country called Laos? I went to Laos last August and this activity became a special experience for me. The reason why it was a special experience is that I was able to experience something new. Originally I studied the language of Laos by myself, so I was able to speak the language of Laos with the people and play with the children of Laos. Also, I was able to understand the literacy problem facing Laos.

Laos is one of the countries of South East Asia and it is next to Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Because it is a poor country, some people can’t go to school because they don’t have money for school. It has two seasons, the rainy season and the the dry season. In Laos, when summer comes, it became the rainy season. Also, most people speak Lao, the language of Laos. The capital in laos is Vientiane. A lot of building is built, but it is smaller than Tokyo or Bangkok. There are some temple, we can watch religious mendicancy in the morning.

In Laos, I went to two libraries built by Kiyoko Yasui in Vientiane and Sivirai. Kiyoko Yasui is the leader of the NGO “The fund of library for the children in Laos”. She lives in Vientiane, Laos. She is originally interested in work involved in children’s book. And she went to a refugee camp in Thailand to do puppet show. Then she had interested in children in the Southeast Asia and came to participate in the project of children’s library in Laos. Now she do two activities, one is to protect the folk talk of Hmong tribe, another is to support of library’s management. I studied about literacy in Laos and the support from Japan and other countries. In Japan, SVA(Shanti Volunteer Association) mainly send the children’s book to Laos. When I visited the library, many children came, so I communicated with them a lot. One day, they waited for me for three hours this day because they are looking forward to us coming to the library. I read Japanese book for them in Japanese, played with Japanese toys, and danced. As Japanese toys, I introduce kendama, darumaotoshi, origami. They play with them well soon because they are skillful with their fingers. They are interested in Japanese books and Japanese toys, so I was happy. I was also able to see their smiles.

In addition, I came to understand that Laotian people don’t read books and there are not a lot of books in Laos through the talk of Kiyoko Yasui and visiting some library such as national library and the library of national university of Laos. There is not custom they read books from young in Laos. In fact, national library, library in university and two library built by Kiyoko Yasui is all small and there are not books a lot.

Through this activity, I was able to enjoy and gain more interest in Laos and its issues with literacy. I want to try to continue to study Laos. Also, I want to tell a lot of people about my experience because I want a lot of people to learn about Laos.

My New College Life in America

My New College Life in America

February 17, 2020

By Yui Yoshioka

Wenatchee Valley College

It has been a month since I started my new life in Wenatchee Valley College. I found many differences between Japan and America. Also, there were some difficulties and a lot of great experiences.

One thing I noticed is the difference between the number of courses to take in a week. I have only three courses a week. The three courses are English Writing, Career Life Planning, and English Communication. Each course has a class every day and one class is only for 60 minutes. Although the number of the courses is less, I get a lot of homework after every class.

I was surprised at the number of courses that I must take in the United States, because I used to take ten or more courses while I was in Japan. At the University of Shimae, I had many different courses every day, and one class meeting was 90 minutes.

It is hard for me to speak in class. So far I think that I am not good at group work because my classmates speak very fast and it is difficult to say my opinions quickly. So I raise my hand and answer to the teacher’s questions sometimes. In order not to fail to hear important things, I record my instructor’s voice in every class and listen to it when I come back to my dorm. On Tuesday and Thursday, free tutoring is offered for the international students. I usually ask questions to my tutors about difficult points of my homework.

The life in my dormitory is comfortable and I made many friends there. My roommate Chris is a nice person. He gives me his sodas, apples, and cookies sometimes. There is a common kitchen, and when I cook dishes, I often meet someone who lives in the same floor, and conversation begins. This is my way of making friends. I usually cook some sort of spaghettis such as tomato sauce, and cheese sauce. Recently, we decorated our common area for Halloween. This kind of events make me feel I am really in the American culture.

In my free time and during weekends, I usually go shopping. Fortunately, the students of WVC can ride on every bus for free of charge, so I use the bus to a supermarket. I like to buy fruits. Wenatchee is famous for apples, so if you come here, you should try them. They are very good! When I miss Japanese foods, I buy chicken, teriyaki sauce, and rice which can be cooked with microwave, and cook a bowl of teriyaki chicken. I also like to explore the town. I’ve been to Town Toyota Center, which is the biggest skate rink in Wenatchee, Pybus Market, and Columbia River. I went there by free bus and each place is very good.

My life in Wenatchee, including studying, is extremally enjoyable! I want to try many new things while I am here and I will keep studying hard to be able to use English fluently.

Shimane Students Experience Canadian Culture

Shimane Students Experience Canadian Culture

February 17, 2020

English Lessons and Homestay in Vancouver, Canada Eighteen students of the University of Shimane participated in a cross-cultural understanding course during summer in 2019 by joining an intensive English language program hosted by Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. The students had amazing experiences with their host families and students from other countries.

Overcoming my fear of speaking English

By Kaito Takechi

At the beginning I felt nervous because I was not good at speaking English. And I didn’t know what it was like to live in a house in Canada. However, when I first met my host mother, I felt instantly at ease because when my name was called, my host mother said to me, “Oh blonde hair boy!” and all my classmates and teachers laughed. So I felt relaxed. I thought she was a fantastic lady who had a great sense of humor. She was very nice and made me feel comfortable by talking to me gently on our way to her house.

However, I still had my fear of talking with my host family. So on the first day in Vancouver, as soon as my host mother finished telling me how to use the bathroom, when the dinner starts, and how to go to Langara College, and so on, I immediately went to my room and closed the door so that I did not need to meet my host family.

On the second day and third day, I was still nervous due to the same reason that I had to use English all the time in the house.

But my host mother kept trying to understand what I wanted to say. She was always calm and always cheerful. She laughed a lot. Her kindness gave me a courage to speak English. I started to talk with my host family in English.

While I was in my room and being alone, I asked myself why I paid so much money for coming to Vancouver? I thought hard, but the answer was simple. My answer was that I wanted to improve my English skills through this program! After realizing what I really wanted to do, I always tried to stay in the living room to talk with my host family in English, when I’m in the house.

Two weeks passed, and I realized myself enjoying talking with my host family about host family’s cat Rio, culture, places to visit in Vancouver, where I would go and where I went on the day, what I bought, and so on. I truly enjoyed talking with my host mother and I felt using English improved my English speaking skill.

Gradually the final day in Vancouver approached, and I felt I did not want to go back to Japan, and I wanted to stay in Canada longer like one year or more.

Now I am grateful for my host mother because she made my Canadian life enjoyable. Thanks to my host mother, all the things went well! I think I overcame my fear of speaking English.

On the last day I was sad because I need to say good bye to my host family. So I wrote a letter for each family member. My host mother enjoyed reading my letter and said, “You can come back to our house anytime.” When I have time and money in the future, I would like to go to Canada to meet my host family to say “Long time no see!”

Overcoming my asking for help

By Yuko Madono

I had a scary experience in Vancouver. My homestay family’s house was located in the suburb of Vancouver and I needed to ride on a bus for 45 minutes. One day, I rode on a usual bus and paid attention to the display that showed the bus stop’s name. On that day there were not many passengers on the bus and the bus did not make many stops. I saw the name of my bus stop, so I got off.

However, the place where I got off was not at the usual bus stop. The scenery was completely different.

I managed to confirm my whereabouts, but I did not have Wi-Fi and there are no stores around, so I became anxious. But I kept walking because I was worried of asking people for directions. But after all, it didn’t help. I was completely lost. I was becoming very scared. It was getting late. I decided to ask for help.

I saw a woman and stopped her. I said to her that I was lost. Then, the woman kindly taught me how to go and then I could finally got home after walking about 10 minutes. I felt relieved to see something familiar.

Thanks to the woman, I was helped. It was very scary to get lost in land I don’t know, but I thought it was important to ask people with courage.

While I was in Vancouver, I had some troubles, but people were always very polite. I realized that there were many kind people who would were willing to help.

Bothering others means trusting others

By Kazuki Enomoto

When I woke up in the bed of my host family’s house in the morning of the second day in Canada, I realized that I did not have an important bag with me. The bag contained the important item for overseas travel: my passport. I turned pale. I usually try to solve problems by myself, but I immediately reported to the teacher by LINE because this was serious. Unfortunately, she did not reply.

It was early in the morning, but I wanted to tell this incident to my host family, so I went downstairs and waited in the living room for everyone to wake up.

Then my host father came down. After I greeted good morning, I immediately said to him, ”I lost my important bag, so I would like to go to college.” He said, “Today I was supposed to guide you to Vancouver, but would you like to go to college?” I tried to convey my problem in my own English, but I couldn’t think of good words at all and the silence continued between him and me. I thought that I needed to locate my passport immediately, and I used a translation app to communicate my problem. The host father kindly contacted the college and talked to a teacher instead of me. The teacher found the bag in the classroom where we had an orientation program in the previous night. I got the bag on the next day and found my passport.

Another incident happened on the 15th day of my stay in Vancouver. On that weekend I went to Stanley Park, where I decided to ride on a bike. I rented a bicycle and went along the bike lane around the beach. I approached a small roundabout, and I tried to make a turn, so I just applied a little brake, but I was speeding too much and I lost my balance and my body flew forward.

I was struck to the ground so hard. It was so sudden and violent that I could not tell how things happened.

People came near me immediately. Two men and women who seemed to be old couples and one young woman rushed to me immediately. At first, I heard many things in English quickly, but I did not have the translation app, so I was in trouble. They asked if I was okay with pointing their knees, because I injured my knees. They also asked me where I rented the bicycle and they help me to return the bike. Fortunately, the accident was not very serious and I only hurt my knees a bit. I sweat more in talking to them in English.

After staying in Canada for a month, I was able to experience the warmth and kindness of people overseas. My host family, my teacher and people in Stanley Park were very nice to me. They did not hate my bothering them. I think I learned a lesson that I was able to overcome troubles by trusting people. I usually act alone because I do not want to bother others, but I think it’s okay to bother others.