When I was a sixth grade elementary school student, I had a short-term homestay and bitter experience of not communicating well. After I entered Mukogawa Women’s University, I was looking forward to the study abroad program in Mukogawa U.S Campus to acquire international English language skills in the era of rapid globalization. However, due to COVID-19, the program changed to an online one. The thought that I would love to go abroad to the US grew stronger and it helped to make the decision of finally going.

While studying abroad, I am hoping to actively communicate, improve my English skills, and make use of it in the future. In addition, when I am with friends that have a diverse
culture and customs, I would like to absorb many ways of thinking. Moreover, I will participate in volunteer activities and I believe that I would like to broaden my horizons with
an international point of view. I’m sure I will face difficulties that I have never experienced, so I am hoping to become more independent by solving problems by myself. I will do my best to live each day to the fullest and spend a fulfilling study abroad experience.

It’s been 6 months since I went abroad to America and I have only 2 months to fully enjoy freedom. I felt time flies and the feeling I would like to stay more in the US is bubbling up from my inside.

There are a lot of opportunities to give my opinions and discuss in the group in the US’s classes and I could learn the importance of having my point of view at all times and telling them through the fall semester. At first, I was shy and hesitant to express my opinions, however I got used to the atmosphere of the classes and I could do it gradually. Not only by preparing for classes, but also by communicating with friends from other countries in the dorm’s life, I could gradually understand what teachers were saying and realize how to improve my listening skills. I am taking “Global Issues” and learning about the world situation and history from January. Through this class, I will find the problems related to Japan, also the world and think about them with a broad perspective to solve them.

In my spare time, I spent Thanksgiving Day with my friendship family, sang hymns in a church, and treated meals on Christmas Eve. Compared to Japan, there is more time to spend with family in the US on special days, thus I think American culture is lovely. In addition, I actively volunteered and I could think about the food loss and waste problem and relationship with people in the Food Bank.

I will challenge various things and spend meaningful time in the rest of time. Moreover, I will continue trying my best to grow up more.

Time flies and nine month’s study abroad life is over. Now, I miss the life in America and the friends I met. The thing I could grow up with is my way of thinking about mistakes. Before participating in the exchange program, when I made mistakes, I felt shy, down and I had a negative image of failure. However, while I was staying in the U.S., people’s way of thinking and reaction were totally different and I noticed that they spoke positive words to inspire others. Because I stayed in that kind of environment, I can positively change my mind in the same situation and give something a try without fear. In addition, the thing is I have confidence to speak English right now. The other day, I was able to help the part-time’s cashier when she had difficulty dealing with foreign customers about food allergies and I was happy at that moment. I will keep studying English and make use of many experiences in daily lives and career in the future.