#05 CULTURES

Hi there! Everywhere we see jacarandas, don’t we?  They let us know it is spring here in Brisbane – actually it is already hot though. haha

Since I came to Brisbane, it has been seven months… yes, time flies. This time I would like to write on a culture-related topic! When did you find a big cultural difference? Hmm… well, I had a lot of opportunities.

When I started taking buses to commute, I found that almost all passengers show their appreciation by saying “thank you”, “thanks man” or “cheers”.  When I was commuting by train in Japan, it never happened (it is because we cannot talk to train operators directly, I think). But I am sure this is a good Aussie habit, because no one on the bus feels uncomfortable.

When I went to a Chinese restaurant, I was going to have fried rice as usual, but my Chinese friends ordered anything they wanted me to try, including mysterious things (sorry, but to be honest, they were!) Now I think I never know they are delicious if they did not do that. Why did they do that? Because sharing allows everyone to try everything, and at the same time, we can share happiness – this is Chinese culture I learned from them. Come to think of it, fancy Chinese restaurants have rotary tables to share…

Those experiences make me think about Japanese cultures. I don’t know, well, nobody knows what is right or wrong, but I think I found some customs we should steel. haha

#04 WHAT I DID

Hi everyone! I have to write 3 blogs in a row, so busy… I know it is because I skipped them though haha. Anyway, I will keep posting from now on…!

What is the best thing you did in Australia? If I am asked this question, I am ready to answer – dancing! Does it sound unclear? Ok, today I will write about this, but dancing is not only about dancing.

UQ has various kinds of club activities, and Street Groove, the dance club I am joining is one of them. Actually I have been a member since last semester, but I didn’t really enjoy it because I was too nervous to talk in English to UQ students, and stayed with my Japanese friends. For these reasons, I was thinking about quitting, but somehow I thought that I could change myself. At the beginning of this semester (end of July), there was an audition to be a crew (a member who can perform). I knew I was not good at dancing, but I gave it a try. I was so nervous to dance in front of others. I am sure it was the moment I was more nervous than ever in Australia. Well, little did I dream that I was taken into the crew, but I made it! Since then, I gradually made crew friends. At first, I was still nervous about speaking English, but they understand that I am studying English at the language school. So I didn’t feel lonely – I felt hospitable. Now, through spending three months together, I feel like they are a family. I really don’t want to leave, and they say they don’t want to let me go. It is so sad, but I am proud of making such close UQ and native friends. Do you understand why I said this is not only about dancing? I think I can dance better than before though! haha

#03 STUDYING

Hi, everyone. It has been ages since I posted last time… I apologise that I totally forgot to update. From now on, I would like to be active, so could you leave a comment for me please? Haha

Anyway! More than seven months have passed since I started studying English in ICTE… time flies. So this time, I would like to write about my studies at ICTE. 

To meet students’ need, ICTE has various courses for us – General English (GE), English for Academic Purpose (EAP) and English for International Business Communication (EIBC). I have studied in all of these classes, so I think I know the differences well if I am correct. Going back to the end of March, studying in GE was the first session for me. As it was the first time, I remember everything was new, every day was busy, everywhere was mysterious but everyone was kind. I admit I managed to settle down rather than to learn English. However, since I started studying in EAP, things have changed. Because all the students from Kansai University were preparing for the IELTS test, I reckon we were obsessed with the IELTS, IELTS and IELTS… I really realised that IT IS HARD TO LEARN ENGLISH! Well, I could not pass the exam, which means I could not have the opportunity to study at UQ, but I never think I am poor – now I am proud of staying at ICTE. In EAP2, I completed the hardest assignment ever – writing 750 words with eight references. And now in EIBC, I am studying how to write a proposal, a dissatisfied email and more. For those reasons, Can I say I did study well in ICTE? haha