When I was a high school student, I could not speak English at all, so speaking English fluently was one of my goals in the college life. However, I realized English is just a tool to communicate with people from other countries through the previous study abroad, so I started to think about what I want to do with my English skills. Last year, I participated in the Asia Youth Summit by volunteering and helping discussions as a translator. I was surprised that Asian students told us problems of their countries and opinions clearly, and I noticed I need more experience and knowledge of global issues. As a college student, what I can do right now is studying, so I decided to study abroad again to develop my knowledge of global issues. While study abroad, I’d like to challenge many things such as a volunteer and school activity and to know the cultural difference through living with many international students.
Eastern Washington University has a variety of majors and minors. Since I am doing the exchange program, I can take any classes I am interested in, so I am focusing on global issues such as climate change and poverty. Through studying these fields, I found sustainability is one of the solutions for these problems, so I started internship in the Office of Sustainability. I am focusing on the sustainability of food systems to make people aware of certain diets we eat contributes to a major cause in climate change and lots of other environmental issues. Also, to get a better understanding of some things that I learned in the classes I am taking. Furthermore, I am trying to take some actions like participating in volunteer activities related with environmental problems and homelessness. Because of my major in Mukogawa Womens University is English, studying in this new field in my second language without any basic knowledge is challenging, but it is fun and interesting to learn something new every day.
Living in a different culture was not easy. Through my studying abroad, there are many things that I struggled with. However, all the things that I experienced made me strong and mature. Eastern Washington University is a great college to study, make friends, and find something you are interested in. Through studying at EWU, I could improve not only my English skills, but as a person, and also figure out something I want to do in my future through facing myself. My studying abroad was already finished, but I feel like I just stepped into a new world where I have never explored. My next goal is getting into a graduate school to study more about environment and sustainability which is one of the solutions of climate change. I am very thankful for all people who supported me and all beautiful memories and experiences. I will keep doing my best.
