海外留学レポートReport from Overseas

My Wonderful studying abroad is over

Aug . 2017
Hello from Portland. I have a bad news that is my studying abroad is almost over.
I have been in Portland since I came on September 27th, 2016. Now, I have stayed here almost 11 months. Time flies fast. I felt as if I came to Portland yesterday.
These days, I had been volunteering at 2 placements for six weeks. I got a totally good opportunity from there, and I developed my responsibility better than ever through this service learning class and volunteering. The Most moving my mind is final day of my second placement, which is ONLC. I got a card with my coworkers’ and supervisor’s sign. I didn’t expect about that. They said to me, “here is your house. You can come back anytime.” I tried not to cry in front of my coworkers, but I cried when I left the museum. I spent very wonderful time with my nice placements and coworkers. I was really happy to choose my placements and work with.
After volunteering, I have enough time to explore in Portland. I know you may think that “you have much more time, so you can travel wherever if you want!” However, I chose to stay in Portland. You know what? The reason why is I love Portland. I want to find good places, enjoy my life in Portland, and make precious memories. I don’t want to leave here or waste time. Recently, I went to Pittock Mansion and rose garden. These places were so beautiful. At Pittock Mansion, there are modern building, nice furniture, and splendid view of Portland. At Rose garden, you can see how lovely roses are there. I realized that Portland is truly called Rose city. I highly recommend you to go there in summer. The other activity is to go Ed sheeran’s concert at Modacenter. That was an amazing hot night. I was impressed his songs, and I was enjoying joining his concert.
In addition, I had a chance to relate with Japanese culture in Portland. I went Oregon Buddhism Temple to join Obon odori. It is one of Japanese cultures. I felt as if I was in Japan. Some people wore Yukata at the time. Vendors sold Japanese food. End of that event, everyone danced many kinds of Obon odori. That was interesting to me.
This is my last report sending from PDX. I met lovely friends, PIA staff, host mother, roommate, placement staffs, and conversation partners. I experienced American life that is unfamiliar with my country, Japan. I volunteered awesome placements. I realized that there are some differences between America and Japan. This studying abroad is special experience in my life. To be honest, I want to stay here longer. It is very comfortable for me to live. If I have a chance to go back America, I will absolutely choose to come back Portland. I won’t forget this moments.
For all people who related and supported to me, thank you so much for being supporting to me until now.
For all readers with my reports, thank you for reading my whole stories. I hope my reports will be useful for you to decide your studying abroad.
Thank you all my loving friends. I don’t want to say goodbye. I just say see you with smile.
See you again!
この10ヶ月余、たくさんの事を経験し、学びました。たくさんの人と関わりを持つことができました。途中このままでいいのか悩みました。本当にしたい事は何か考えました。それでも頑張ろうと思えたのはたくさん支えがあったからです。いい思い出だけでなく、嫌な思い出があったのは事実です。今思えば素敵な思い出です。この留学は私にとって一つの宝です。経験です。自分の思いはたくさんありすぎて書ききれないけれど、本当に素敵な一年間でした。きっと私はこの留学を忘れないでしょう。関わって下さった皆様、本当にありがとうございました。私の一つの物語はもうすぐ終わりを迎えますが、次のステージに向かってより一層頑張ろうと思います。帰国後はやらなければならない事が山積みですが、乗り越えていきたいと思います。素晴らしい留学経験をありがとうございました。
それではまた会う日まで。