Hirodai Ambassador Activity Report
3rd year, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Nana Okuno San
[Study abroad destination] University of Hawaii Community College (USA)
[Study abroad period] August 2023 to January 8.
[Type of study abroad] Long-term study abroad at a partner university
I went to the University of Hawaii Community College Kapiolani on Oahu, Hawaii, USA.I have been studying abroad using the partner school system since August 2022, 8. In this study abroad news,I would like to report on my current impressions about the specific content of the lectures I am taking, two months after studying abroad.
Ⅰ. Specific content of the lecture you are taking
The lectures I am taking areAn English learning lecture called ESOL94,We have selected lectures on modern hula dancing and hospitality to organize tours for tourists on Oahu.
ESOL94In addition to learning the basics of English grammar and vocabulary, you can learn how to write papers and give presentations in English.
In the class I belong to, Hawaii's environmental problems are the theme of the entire lecture, and we input problems and solutions while watching papers, articles, and videos, and work on output through group discussions and assignments.
There are four 1-hour lectures per week, so there are challenges.Although I am pressed for time, I feel that I am definitely gaining knowledge.
In modern hula dance lectures, students spend about two hours twice a week learning about the steps and movements of hula dance. What is particularly interesting is that each movement has a meaning, and it is a physical expression of Hawaii's nature such as Diamond Head, the movement of surfing, and small islands.
We are also learning the Hawaiian language and how to pronounce it, and through these lectures we are able to experience the entire traditional culture of Hawaii.
In hospitality lectures, students learn about the know-how to guide customers as tour guides.
By preparing in advance the local knowledge and points I want to convey, and actually visiting the Waikiki area and Iolani Palace to give a presentation, I am able to put my knowledge to practical use.
Through this lecture, I am able to learn not only the know-how to introduce things, but also the history and charm of Hawaii's tourist destinations.
Ⅱ. Current status 2 months after studying abroadImpressions
Two months have passed since I started studying abroad, and I have gotten used to life and school life there. I also feel like my conversations with local people have become smoother than before.
A recent incident was when I was approached by a local grandmother at McDonald's. When I told him that my hometown was Hokkaido, he started talking about things like how he had seen it on TV and how he had never seen snow before. I really enjoyed hearing about my grandmother's upbringing and current lifestyle.
One of the reasons I chose community college was the ability to interact with a variety of people regardless of age or nationality. There are many people, regardless of their nationality, who commute while working. By listening to each student's reasons for choosing to study here and learning about their various backgrounds, you can learn about the breadth of the world and the diversity of ways of thinking. When I talked with Japanese international students about their future career paths, I realized that there are a wide variety of options available to them.
I feel that during these two months I was able to absorb knowledge and experience every day that I would not have been able to gain in Japan.
At this point, half of my study abroad life is over, and I will start taking classes at Hirosaki University, which means I will be even busier, but I would like to have more opportunities to experience more things.