US Experiences from Ayumi and Jumpei


I talked to them on 8th June 2011:

Ayumi was at sister university, Ball State while Jumpei was at Seattle Central
Community College.  Why did he choose it?
"I had always liked American culture through dramas and music.
I joined a study abroad fair.  I met a school advisor who explained it very well. 
Only 40% of the students are whites (70% of Seattle's population are white)." 

What were their best experiences?
Ayumi said:
"Experiencing is much better than just studying, although I studied of course.
I took part in circles - the Japanese club and the International Studies Association
which consists of people who are interested in current international issues.  It helped with my studies.   I also did volunteer work at a church as a tutor to students with lower than average grades."

and problems?
Ayumi said:
"One big problem was that I didn't have a car, for example to go to Indianapolis to get Japanese food.  Therefore, I needed to ask friends to give me a ride.  Also, because I was under 21, I had to live in a dormitory.  I was a bit jealous of exchange students who could live in apartments.  Food was a problem and one of my friends gained 7kgs in a year, so I tried to workout.  I mainly used the cafeteria for my three daily meals."

Where did they enjoy travelling to?
Ayumi said:
"Miami, which was a break from the cold in Indiana, Chicago, New York,  Boston,
Washington D.C., and camping in North Carolina.  Best was Washingthon D.C. because of its free museums and that it was clean compared to New York.

Jumpei said:
"I went to Las Vegas by air which was glamorous and lit-up.  Vancouver by bus which was like Japan with a lot of Japanese restaurants and cleaner and safer than Seattle.  Washington D.C.  was too far and expensive.

What was their advice to students planning to go to the U.S.?
Ayumi said:
"Go Ahead!  Think activelyand deeply about why you are going."

Jumpei said:
"You should work hard to get used to the atmosphere in the U.S. of working hard to reach your goal and that working hard is cool.  You should watch dramas before you go
to orientate yourself."

Find out about past students' study and travel experiences abroad