オレゴンだより

オレゴン州立大学へ派遣した（？）「長崎の星」より，一回目のたよりがありました。英文は例によっていじっていません。次回のゼミで，みんなでimproveして送り返しましょう。彼も伝統にのっとり，書いて書いて書きまくれば，英文がだんだんこなれていくはずです。来年の帰国までには達意の英文が書けるようになると，期待します。（UG）

Asian Culture

I have just finished my Language courses that lasted for two months this past summer. In these two months, needless to say, there were many Asians in Eugene, and I encountered many different situations relating to other races. Through these experiences, I found three differences between Asians; Chinese people say their opinion honestly, Taiwanese people are more similar to Japanese, and Arabic people are more different compared to Eastern Asians.
First of all, I realized that Chinese people like being together and say their opinions honestly. I often heard their own language and saw many Chinese people walking through the streets. In their culture, it is better to say their opinions to others because they think that honesty is the most valuable asset. Personally, in my house, I have one house-mate who is from Shanghai and she always states her opinion clearly compared to Japanese people. I got used to listening to Japanese people saying their opinions ambiguously, therefore for me Chinese people’s opinions are clear because they say their opinions very bluntly.
There is one more thing that I found in America that showed how Taiwanese people are more similar to Japanese. I met one Taiwanese girl who looked like a Japanese person. In other words, their fashion and its products are inspired by Japanese fashion. The girl mentioned that she liked Japanese fashion very much especially girl’s beauty products and gimmicks. In addition to that, they do care more about other people’s feeling like the Japanese. Compared to Chinese people, for me, they seem to choose their words or expressions carefully when they say something to others.
Furthermore, about Arabic people, they are very distinctive compared to Eastern Asians. Even though their home is very far away from Eastern Asia, their attitudes and conducts are quite different compared to other Asians. Because almost all Arabic people are Muslim, their attitude is different. Compared to us, their religious belief is very conservative. Arabic students in my classes fast during Ramadan and, for me, I could not believe the truth that they seriously do not eat anything only for their religious belief. I realized that for them, without religion, their life doesn’t exist. I vaguely understand why Arabic people are willing to die for their religion.
In conclusion, I can perceive three important differences between Asians; Chinese people do not hesitate to say their opinions, Taiwanese people are Japanophile, and Arabic people are very dedicated to their religion. Even though, before going to America, I have communicated with Asians, I had never imagined that we have distinctive variations. I really appreciate that I could experience this invaluable lesson in America. From now I will discriminate such differences spontaneously and I would love to integrate these lessons into my life.