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Culture Shock
Yumi Yamagata
from Japan
Yumi
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There are different cultures all over the world. Sometimes we are surprised, for example, by greetings, behavior, foods and so on when we go to other countries. I came to America for the first time on June 30 of this year. I had known there would be big differences between America and Japan, but I worried about my life in America.
When I first came to this college, I was confused and I felt lonely because English was much harder than I expected. I did not know anybody, I felt everyone spoke English very fast, I could not understand what I had to do at all, and I could not speak anything I wanted to. Everyone except me was very friendly. Japanese people do not hug friends, so I was surprised when American people did that. American people make eye contact when they meet someone on the street or in the hallway of the dorm, but Japanese people do not. American people often say to someone “Hi” or “Hello” while smiling even if they don’t know the person, but Japanese people seldom do. In Japan, we talk to only the people we know, but make no physical contact. I was confused when I saw that for the first time. Now I think it is good behavior and I like it. I can understand now these are examples of American style.
I was also very surprised at classes in this college. Students speak during the class, some eat snacks and drink something, others come late to the classroom. Classes in Japan are very quiet, students cannot eat and drink anything and the person who comes late to the classroom doesn’t come in without a permit to enter. American students speak up in classes but Japanese students do not and we don’t have discussion classes in Japan. It is common for Japanese students to listen to the teacher’s lecture while keeping quiet. Actually, I do not like Japanese classes because they are very strict. If I could speak and understand English well, classes in this college would be very fun and interesting for me. But I have not adapted to classes at Mars Hill yet.
I am an international student and it is not easy to live and study in America. But I think studying abroad will benefit me. I can already realize the many difference of culture. My experiences in America will help me in my future.
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