ユタ州 セイントジョージ教育District 5校
Dixie high High School
Snow Canyon High School
Pine View High School
Hurricane High school
Enterprise High School
カナダ
Biritish Columbia 州 教育District5校
L.V Rogers Secondary School
Mount Sentinal Secondary School
Prince Charles Secondary School
J.V. Humphries Secondary School
Salmo Secondary School http://international.sd8.bc.ca
My experience as an exchange student in Japan has highlighted the differences between the educational system in New Zealand and in Japan. The five week opportunity was given to me as part of the Tamadai Meguro and Lynfield College student exchange programme, which allowed for one student from Japan to experience New Zealand schooling in exchange for me to attend school in Tokyo, Japan.
The first most obvious difference is in the layout of the school campus'. Back in New Zealand, Lynfield College stretches itself laterally, making room changes a daily struggle as students often have to dart through the seas of other, incoming students. Tamadai Meguro is on the other extreme of what you would call the ‘school layout’ scale; standing an impressive six storeys, slap bang in the middle of a busy city. Although climbing the stairs provided a strenuous exercise, students did not need to change classes every period making the trip to the fifth floor only an occasional one.
Another difference was the teaching styles in schools. New Zealand is very much technology based, where students have to bring in their personal device on top of their workbooks and stationery. On the other hand, Japan seems to keep to its traditional way of schooling, maintains the 1950’s schoolroom aesthetic with the wooden desks facing the podium and dusty blackboard. The New Zealand educational system mainly focuses on group work and team building, by grouping students via seating arrangements and by creating assignments that are to be completed as a shared project. On the flip side Japan focuses on individuality and strength through personal determination. Because of this, students work more diligently in and have more tests to retain their memory. I found the schooling environment in Japan to be much different to how I’m used to in New Zealand, and because of that I struggled to keep up with some of the lessons and was amazed with the large workload handed to students.
Another thing I personally struggled with, was the isolation that came with being one of the only foreigners in the school. New Zealand, being a multicultural nation, it is not an uncommon sight to see students with different cultural backgrounds attending the same school. Lynfield College is a prime example of the cultural diversity we are lucky to have in New Zealand. Lynfield has large populations of Indian, Pacifican, Chinese, East Asian, Korean and Japanese students which far outnumber the European (Pakeha) students attending. As a result, many schools including Lynfield College have an international office and English classes specialized in teaching students whose second language is English. These initiatives help many students especially those would are currently on exchange in New Zealand. However in Japan, such things don’t exist as majority of students attending school are native Japanese. Although there was no ‘safety net’ for foreigners like me at Tamadai Meguro, I found that it pushed me to only speak Japanese and as I was totally immersed in Japanese language and culture during my stay. Without many native English speakers being around, I found that my Japanese improved immensely whilst funnily enough, I began to notice that my English began to slightly weaken during my phone calls home to New Zealand.
I would most definitely recommend this exchange to other students that are serious on improving their Japanese skills. Getting used to school life in Japan was very challenging for me, however the benefits I reaped from the exchange, like the friends I made and the confidence gained all greatly outnumbered the negatives and doubts I had prior to going on the exchange. I hope to continue learning Japanese and one day return to Japan and reunite with many of the friends I made at this school.
Angela Competente
From Lynfield College Auckland New Zealand
※2016年度の3学期に交換留学をして多摩大学目黒で学びました。
Ever since I'd started to learn Japanese, I'd always wanted to visit Japan. When the opportunity came to study at a Japanese school, though I was a little scared, I knew I definitely wanted to take part. So for the first time, I travelled overseas away from my family. The main thing I realised when I started attending the school was the blatant difference in the lifestyles of the students. Some students would travel from over an hour away, waking up early and staying late after school for clubs. The students were really much more dedicated and persevering than the students back at home, though the Japanese friends I'd made had all humbly denied it when I tried to tell them.
It was an important experience for me, because it made me question things I'd never thought about properly before. Like the independence at home or around the community. In New Zealand it's not uncommon to be dropped off to school or other places by your parents, but I'd learned that that basically never happened in Japan. And when you question the things you take for granted that you start to become aware of things outside of your own environment. You become more conscious of the happenings in other countries and more empathetic, because you're able to understand that other people have a different culture to you and will react in different ways.
At school, for example, I learnt you had to bow to the teacher before and after every class. I saw how respect is taught and practiced in Japanese people. New Zealand is a much more liberal place, which means it’s easier to enjoy yourself haha, but in a culture like Japan's, I can see that they grow up being conscious of the people around them. In New Zealand, the cultural environment we cultivate is such that we're not afraid to speak our mind - we're encouraged to be outgoing and speak the unspoken. Which isn't a bad thing either, but it's also not something I had ever properly realised until I experienced the difference between the two cultures myself.
Throughout the trip and the studying, I saw that there were different aspects of both NZ and Japan that are positive, and negative, and I think it's helped me to grow as a person to become aware of these things.
As a last mention, I really did enjoy Japanese schools' club customs. They're very serious about their clubs, and dedicated. It was inspiring even just watching from the sidelines. Whenever I tried to tell people how amazing I thought it was, they would just brush it off, because that's how they grew up. They'd never known anything different. But to me, seeing how they'd stay practicing until well after dark, it was really eye-opening.
I have had a good experience through going to Canada. I went to a small town in Canada but that looks like not Canada. It is surrounding by the forest. I can breathe in fresh air. Also, nice and kind people. The name of city I went is Creston. That city is not an amusement park or any big store, either. There are only a pool and a gym but it is a good town filled with peace. I did not see stealing, car accident or bullying and any murder. Sometimes we can see deer and some animals and most of the house have cats, dogs or horses and cows. I recommend that you should go there if you want to see some animals.
My school does not have many students, only 500. No one can speak Japanese well so nobody give me Japanese answer when I want to ask something. My friends helped me when I was confused to answer a question. Sometimes the teacher in charge of its subject was kind only to me. For example, they gave me a favorable treatment when I did not understand some project or test so I got lots of good treatment from them. I cannot thank you enough to them accordingly. I think they think I cannot speak and listen at all. None of Japanese is in Creston except me. This situation gave me a chance of studying English harder.
My host family was so nice people. I went to top of the mountain, camping with them and hang out with my host children but they don’t have a lot of time to go to another city or anywhere. I could make a lot of friends. I went to my friend’s house and it was a great time for me. I think my host family accept some exchange students before me. I was able to spend lots of good experiences thanks to their experiences about how to live in same house with me.
In conclusion of this experience, I did do nothing of my English before going to Canada. I am able to have a bit more confidence of my English after this program. I can speak no English although I had a little knowledge about it. Yet, without speaking English I was not able to make friends. One day, one of the students spoke to me patiently. I think I want to understand what he is speaking to me about. After that I started to learn English to talk with my friends and be I think I improved. I could spend a good time thanks to my friends. I want to go there again when the time comes.
Studying abroad in Nelson Canada for 5 months
2-3 A.K
I've been in Nelson B.C. Canada for 5 months.
When I arrived in Nelson, I was so nervous.
I didn't have confidence.
Yet, people were nice to me. That was comforting.
When I didn't know the word, they explained to me until I understood the word.
I got a warm welcome from them
I tried so many things with them.
We stayed at hotel for a week and enjoyed skiing.
We went to Vancouver Island.
Host sister Rae Molly and me hanged out there.
All of them got to be precious to me.
I will never forget them.
I studied in L.V Rogers.
I took Bridge English Dance P.E 10 and Math 9.
I enjoyed Dance the most.
I was supposed to take part in the dance recital.
I danced two songs at theater.
I was lifted by classmates and danced center.
Best thing of all, I could make friends!
So I will never forget these experiences.
When I came back to Japan, I decided to study harder to keep and improve my English. I realized what I have to do.
I often watch English TV program.
I want to improve my English skills more and see my friends again with better communication skills.
I learned a lot from this experience and will keep learning.
I really want to say ' thank you' to my parents who gave me this chance.
I was supported by them and people in L.V. Rogers.
5 months in Nelson got to be the moment of life.
I was a little bit nervous about home staying alone. However, my host family greeted me with much fun. Thanks to that, I was not nervous. My room is so good and the bed is also big and comfortable.
My host family is so nice. They taught me various things, especially they taught me Spanish. It was difficult for me. I could hardly understand it. But that made me want to go to Mexico.
I also enjoyed going to many beaches. My favorite beach is "Mission Beach "
I want to go to Disney again to revenge. Revenge means I couldn’t go to Adventure land!
Anyway I had to very good time. Someday I'll visit San Diego and my host family home again!!
私は、この語学研修でたくさんの日本との違いを知ることが出来ました。
まず、食事についてです。日本での朝ごはんはしっかりしたものを食べることが多いですが、アメリカの朝ごはんはシリアルなどの、簡単なものでした。夜ご飯は、日本ではお米などの主食を中心としたものですが、アメリカの夜ご飯は肉を中心にお米とかがあまり出なかったです。スーパーやレストラン、ファストフード店などへ行くと量の多さにびっくりしました。なのに、値段は日本より安かったりして物価の違いにも驚きました。
道路にヤシの木や芝生が生えていること、ゴミ箱がたくさんあることにもビックリしました。だから、街の空気が綺麗で涼しくて道にゴミが全然落ちてないのだなぁと思いました。日本もそうすれば少しは綺麗になると思いました。
人とのコミュニケーションもたくさんとることができました。初めてお店で買い物をした時はお金の出し方も何を言っているのかも全然わからなくて戸惑いだらけでしたが、だんだん慣れてくるとなんて言っているのか分かるようになってきて嬉しかったです。店員さんが「Have a nice day!!」と言ってくれるのも嬉しかったです。
ホストファミリーとの会話も楽しむことが出来ました。日本から持ってきたものもすごく喜んでくれました。同じ団地に住んでいた人とも仲良くなれて挨拶をたくさんすることが出来ました。
何よりも、1番「将来アメリカで働きたい」と思いました。気候も人も凄く良くてアメリカが大好きになりました。これから英語の勉強をもっと頑張って大学で国際関係の学部に入りたいと思いました。またアメリカ行きたいです!
1-7 H.T
This homestay gave me so many good memories.
My host-family had four kids. I felt their English was too fast.
But it was a good practice for me. I felt my listening skill has greatly improved.
I was so glad they said they wanted me to come back next year seriously.
I want to be an architect. So one of my objectives is to see architectures. I could saw a lot of buildings. Sun Diego is near Mexico. So I think Sun Diego's houses have a great influence from Mexico.
I would love to go to Sun Diego again.
Because I miss my homestay family and actually couldn't have enough time to see buildings in downtown. This is my only regret.
Yet, from the trolley, l saw a lot of buildings out of the train windows.
I will not forget this experience.
私は今回3週間アメリカにホームステイをしました。アメリカは行ったことが無く、今回初めて行きました。 ホームステイ先のホストマザーは私たちが英語を聞き取りやすいようにゆっくり喋ってくれたり、日本のことを聞いてくれたりとても優しくて私たちもとても嬉しかったです。
今回アメリカのいろんな場所に行きました。 San Diego Zooは日本の何倍も大きく、驚きました。時間内に全てを回ることはできませんでしたがとても満喫できて楽しかったです。学校ではアメリカのことや日常生活のフレーズをたくさん学べてとても勉強になりました。あとは普段喋らない友達ともたくさん話せて仲良くなれてとても嬉しかったです。 この3週間で、アメリカの人たちの優しさやフレンドリーさを知れてとても良かったし、みんなととても仲良くなれて本当に良かったです。
僕は今回の語学研修が始めての海外で、不安なことがたくさんありましたが、先生やホストファミリーさらに友達に支えてもらって、楽しく学んだりできて、とても嬉しく思っています。企画してくれた先生方や行かせてくれた両親にとても感謝しています。
1番大変だったのはネイティブの人の英語を聞き取ることです。初日では日本からお菓子のお土産を持って行きお菓子の話題で盛り上がったのですが、ホストファミリーの方が
「Do you know M&M ?」というのを「Do you know Eminem ?」だと僕が聞き取ってしまい、会話が成立しない場面がありました。このように最初の3日間くらいは会話が難しく大変な時もありました。ですがその後はホストファミリーの方にゆっくり喋ってもらったり、自分なりに調べてみたりしてなんとかやりくりできました。今回の語学研修は本当にいい経験になるとともに、とても楽しく充実していて良かったです。
1年 A.T
This is my first time I went abroad. At first I was uneasy wondering if my English can be understood. However I thought I do not need to speak in sentences. I could speak to my host family with words and gestures. When I wanted to tell my host family yes or no, I turned my thumb down or up. I thought it is important to speak. Also of course I could learn English at school but I could learn English by speaking with local people too. This is because I had to have a communication when I went shopping, buy some meals at shops, and watched the TV, played games, had a meal with my host family, and so on. So I could learn something every day. However sometimes I could not have a communication in English with Native American, because my English pronunciation was not good enough. In Japan, I spoke English in my class with only my friends and my teachers. They are Japanese, so my English can be understood. Therefore I did not mind my English pronunciation. However, after these three weeks, I felt my listening skill and reading skill have improved.
Also I did a lot of thing with my host family. Almost every night we watched the TV together. Sometimes we watched movies. I do not usually watch American movies, so it was so good time. Also I played games and the ukulele with Camy and Ryan. They are my friends. I had never played ukulele so it was very fun. I had a great time in San Diego. I will cherish the moments in San Diego and really appreciate my parents for giving me this opportunity.