I came home about a week ago. The reason I could not post new one is, since I went back to Japan, I needed time to consider this journey carefully. Because I had too many precious experiences or memories in MD so that I can hardly deal with them well. Also I needed to ask myself, for instance, “What have I learned from this program?” though I haven’t found exactly… And I got well from time lag (by three days ago, I was so sleepy). So I’d like to look back.

The thing I noticed first was “individualism”. It is often said that individualism is true of U.S, whereas collectivism is true of Japan. I felt “individualism” directly. When we had to decide what we did next, Nina often said, for example, “You don’ have to stay at Washington and eat dinner. You can go back to College Park and eat there” This is greatly impressive to me. In Japan, we are often supposed to do the same thing with everyone (though it is a little bit less). Apart from which one is better, I felt really comfortable. Because in Japan I sometimes had to do what I didn’t wanted to do.
I still have many things I noticed, but it takes much time to write those things. So I’d like to publish next time!!

So today I'm going show you my pictures!!






This is Laura and me at farewell party!! She is pointing out her necklace that was presented. Don't you think it's good on her??
You're going to come soon,huh? I can't wait!!


This is Ji won and me at the party!! I used to hang around downtown with him!! He is great guy!! He taught me many things about English.
I hope I would stroll with him again!! And the wish will come true at January!!



This is Tim and me at Karaoke !! We have been to Karaoke twice during AGU program!! I sang many songs with him!!
I want to take him to Kyoto because he wanted to go!! Though I've been only once(ha ha).














They are great mentors and all the memories with them are my treasures!!

Yesterday I went to the Montgomery County Fair. I was so excited!! Because I like festival very much!! Every time summer comes I go out for many festivals, such as Hanabi (fire works) or summer festival! So it was definitely nice festival!!

After that some people, including me, went to Karaoke again!! It was two times in America!! So when I back to Japan I can be proud of this!!
I sang “Hey Jude” (with Tim!) “Let it be” (With Tim!) “I don’t wanna miss a thing” (with Rikko!) or “Garasu No Shyonen” (this is a popular Japanese song) (with Syohei, Hiro) Ji Won and Laura are both good at so much!! They were as if professional singers!!!! I was really moved!!
But when I back to hotel it was almost 1:00….. Oh,boy!!

The day before yesterday, I went to Annapolis, which is capital of MD.
We boarded on a ship and the scenery from a ship was really beautiful!!
I wanted to travel around the world!!
After that I visited George Town again. I could purchase my clothing at a low price. I had really good times.

I visited Alexandria yesterday and George’s house too!
I played Mad Libs (am I right?). It was funny because Kevin and Onisama used a lot of funny words while we took a rest!
I ate many junk foods!! I’ll bet I get on fat!!

We had panel discussion with UMD students yesterday!! They told us how university students of U.S live there lives!! It is big surprise!! Because I found it different from our lives!! I can’t believe that one class (though it depends on subjects) lasts for even three hours!! And after that, we have another mission!! It’s really, really difficult mission for me!! ‘Cause I’m too shy!! But I could perform somehow!!!!!!!!! It was a really hard task…..
‘Cause it was my first time to do such a thing!!! But thanks to Uchida teacher or my companies, I did it!!!!! I owe it all to you!!!

We studied the Japanese in America yesterday. I found we and U.S was connected deeply. For example in Hawaii there are many Japanese-American living or I learned, in Kevin’s class, there are about 500000people who speak Japanese at home.

And also I learned how U.S people are diverse. We visited Chinatown, Adams-Morgan, U Street/Shaw. At Adam’s Morgan I saw Harry, who is the bartender at Bukom Café. I said to him “you must be Harry?? Will you take pictures with us??” And he accepted willingly!! Harry was really kind!!
Someday I want to drink with him!!

We had a rather good time yesterday!
We went to a shopping mall! I could buy many things.
While shopping, I had one thing that was good for me.
When clerk talked to me and I answered, she didn’t say “huh?” to me!!
This means I could make my English understood, doesn’t it?
My English has improved everyday little by little!!

We visited the Washington post yesterday. And after that , we walked around , hang around D.C. While walking , I saw many different kinds of people. Before I come to U.S , in Japan, every kinds of people are Japanese.
And I didn’t feel I’m stranger. But in U.S I sometimes feel like that. I realized how my horizon was narrow! But to me, this place is comfortable. For I can see every kinds of people and so people around me, Americans don’t stare at me ( we often do this in Japan when we see foreigner ) .That is what I feel now.

I’d appreciate your reading of my note!

What a fabulous weekend!!
on 5,August we japanese student went to D.C by metro. It was memorial and monument day!!
We visited Vietnma Veterans Memorial, Lincoin Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Washington Monument, and so on. But I like Lincoin Memorial!! 'Cause I respect Lincoin !!
I like this his saying, " You can fool some of the people all the time, all the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time"
What a nice sound!!

My name is Tetsuya, I'm from Japan!!
I'm Aoyama Gakuin University (AGU) student!
But now I'm in Maryland!! I have really good time!!!