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Could you give us a little information about yourself and your experience in the US? What brought you here, how long did you stay?

I stayed in Bloomington about 2 months to study in the English program at Indiana University last summer (2001).

Since then I have wanted to go to University in America. However I could not decide 100 percent, for I have heard from teachers and TV...etc about American culture, life, and school, but I could not imagine what life is like in America, what university is like, etc. So I wanted to see it for myself.

My 2 months experience at Indiana University was really fun. It was much more wonderful than I had expected. Since I could find interesting things or wonderful things everyday even when I just went to the supermarket.

In addition, I have heard that American people are friendly before, but when I met Americans I could understand how friendly they really are.

One time, when I got lost on campus, I asked a girl for directions and she took me to the place that I wanted to go to.

It was about a thirty minute walk, but she took me to the place even though we did not know each other before. I could also could see many people's different lifestyle and different way of thinking. So it was a valuable experience for me.

Even though I am in Japan now I am studying English and doing part time work to enter Indiana University in America.

Was this your first time in the United States? If not, what other times have you been here?

That was not my first time in the United States since I have stayed in America for 2 weeks in 2000 with my family. We visited our friend, and we went to New York, Washington D.C, and some parts of Virginia state. But this (trip to Indiana University) was my fist time to travel alone.

How were your English skills before you arrived?

I had about 430 on TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

The TOEFL exam consists of 4 sections; Listening, Structure, Reading, and Writing. And international students have to take it and submit their scores to enter university in America.

When I watched a movie I could not understand at all at that time. I was studying English about 3 to 4 hours everyday at my high school, however it was especially difficult for me to speak. After I arrived in America, when American people speak slowly sometimes I could understand what people were talking about, but It was hard for me to join a conversation because I needed time before I speak. Sometimes the topic would change when I finally got an idea to speak about the conversation topic.

Did anything you experience in America make you want to say "What the HECK is going on here?!"

The color of detergent and juice. The detergent and juice that I saw was the same color. If my friend did not tell me, I would have made a mistake and drunk it....

I tasted the juice since I was interested in what it would taste like, and that was sweet. It was a special taste that I have never had before.

I'm sure that there are things you like about Japan and America. What things do you like most about America, and what things do you like most about Japan?

America... First of all, tickets of movies and to see operas are cheap, and also to get a drivers license. It takes about 1,500 yen to see one movie, usually about 10,000 yen to see opera, and about 300,000 yen to get a drivers license in Japan. Second, I liked the style of houses, buildings and streets. Those were beautiful, and the people, too. American people have wide (big) heart I think, Finally, I loved cherry coke : ) Cherry Coke is not sold in Japan.

Japan... Food, kotatsu (heated table shown below), and especially bath. A Japanese style bath has 2 separate spaces. Half of the space is a bathtub and the other side has a shower and space to wash body or things like that.

Do you have any advice for American's who are thinking to go to Japan and stay for a long time?

I do not know if this is important information, but if you will have a car in Japan, you must go to a car shop to check your car. At first you will go there three years after you buy a new car. However you have to go two years each after that. It is decided by law. I do not have a drivers license because of these reasons. It is expensive to get a drivers license, and buy a car. Moreover, I also need money after that to check my car. Also please try "ochazuke" because that it is my favorite Japanese food.

When I went to museums in America there were no lines or rope barriers in front of the pictures. Consequently, I could see the pictures really close. In Japan, there are lines or strings so that we cannot enter in front of the barriers. So I felt more relaxed when I saw pictures at museums in America.

Some people were painting in front of the real pictures in the museum. We cannot do that in Japan, I was really surprised.

Plus there are many computers everywhere in America. So we can easily use them.

Furthermore, I felt that the distance between teachers and students are closer than Japan. Since when I stayed in America teachers told me their email address and some teachers go out with their students on weekends. This does not happen in Japan.

Sometimes teachers tell students their email address or go out with students, but it is not common. We have wall between teachers and students. So I liked it very much since I could become really close with teachers when I stayed in America.

I was surprised that we cannot dry clothes outside and always use a drying machine after washing clothes in America. In Japan we have a place to dry clothes outside or on the porch. So we use it almost everyday instead of using a drying machine. I have used a drying machine before when I traveled with my family...

However I do not have it in my home As was not used to using it, when I used it in America, some of my clothes got smaller, enough so that my cousin (6 years younger than I) can wear my clothes.

Do you have any unanswered questions for Americans that you would like to ask?

Why do American people not dry their clothes outside?

Are there presents that you had better not give to people in America?

In Japan, it is not good to give a knife and fork set to the bride and groom as a wedding gift. Since knife is used to cut things, it means knives will cut their life. Thus we cannot give a knife and fork set as a wedding gift. I want to know if American people have something like that idea.

Do you consider yourself an AmericaNewbie?

YES.

Thanks!

- Created 5/2002

Learn by Movies: Learn by Music: Learn Japanese: Study Abroad Tips: HostFamily Opinions: Survival Guide: Interview - Mayumi: Interview - Sachiko: Why Japanese?