Practical American life

I have experienced some culture shock since I came to America, and this culture shock has made a lot of impression on me and I was confused by the culture, events and ideas on MFWI life. There are three things that impressed me the most.

The first thing that impressed me was sports. I played an American football game in American studies class. At that time, I played as a receiver, and the playing was not easy and our team lost. I could be excited. However when I watched American foot ball game on TV on Thanksgiving day, I found it has not only cheerfulness but also danger. I thought American sports are violent, because I heard about ice hockey game from my friend. I heard there are a lot of fight during the game. American football games have fighting too. It is not the scuffle sport, but I saw some American sports fight on TV. Of course there are some fight on Japanese TV sport. However it is rare. For Americans, fighting might be usual but for me, it is little rare. However I think some fight are also the highlight of the match, so I want to see the live sport games in America and I want to experience more American sports.

The second thing that impacted me was visiting the Smithsonian Institution. To go to the Smithsonian Institution was my dream since I had seen about them on TV. I like museums so when I arrived at there, my excitement didn't settle down. I like history, nature, space, art and so on. I knew it is impossible to see everything a day, so I was puzzled which to choose. However if I had chosen any museum, I would not have regretted my choice, because I heard every museum was good. I chose Air and Space Museum and Natural History Museum. They are very good place. I especially was impressed by the Air and Space Museum, because there are many things about that American people who tried landing on the moon. For landing the moon, I found a lot of men who died and they entrusted their dream to next generation. Their letters were very touching, content and a little sad and hard. Also at the same place, I became sad and confused, because I saw a strange experiment. The experiment used monkey on living things. Of course, some experiment is important and necessary, but I thought it was human selfishness. The monkey did not want to go to space. It was good the monkey was kept alive and returned to the earth, but if it had died, people would have think just a experiment body. However this is my mind and I am very sorry for it. At the Smithsonian I learned many things in spite of only going to two museums.

Finally, I was impressed by the differences between American style and Japanese style classes. I was confused to find different style in Japan because the classes are fewer people system and do not see participation. In Japan, if I attend class, some teacher will award me a good class score. In America, if I have class attendance and I don't give my opinion or don't volunteer, every teacher will not award a good class score. However I came to like the American style class when I became accustomed to the style. After I return to Japan, my volunteer mind will remain in my brain and body so I think I will be able to say my opinion more easily.

I experience some culture shock from small things to big things. They are various from things I have already known to things I learned first. They are not related to I know or don't know, I enjoyed living them because they are almost all first experience. This study abroad program is for about only 4 month, but these experiences hereafter will affect and help on my life.