My Strong-willed Will

Studying here at MFWI and living in America have broadened my outlook remarkably and I feel like I am approaching my dream. This week especially I had some opportunities to listen to others and to experience new things.

For example, this Monday we visited Eastern Washington University which is 30 minutes by bus from MFWI. Jill who graduated from EWU, took us to there, so I heard a lot about the university and her school life, on the way there. I was surprised most of freshman lived in the dormitories so that they could learn cooperation and responsibility from it. When we reached there, I saw a lot of students there even though it was still during vacation. I found out the reason later. The atmosphere of the school was very attractive and I found why Aiko wanted to study there so much. By only looking at the beautiful environment, my heart became clean and I felt excited.

Another opportunity that I had to broaden my outlook was yesterday with Language & Culture Day. Ten successful language learners came to MFWI and I had very precious time listening to them. There were two things which I was impressed with very much. One is strategy to become a successful language learner. For example, you ask a lot of questions, you make friends and talk a lot, you find something you like to improve your English, and you do it today instead of tomorrow. My own strategy is to do it today instead of tomorrow. In addition, I learned importance of studying abroad. Someone said it’s not important, but I was impressed by “language is a living thing, so you can’t study without the culture.” I know how the guest feels very well because I live in Osaka. The language there is very different from the standard language in Japan. You can hardly learn Osaka’s without living there.

There is another example to broaden my outlook. Some of us went to Spokane Falls Community College to recognize which building we would go when we go there on University Prep. By only walking and looking, I felt I couldn’t wait for next Wednesday. Of course I am also nervous, but I want to learn as much as possible from this.

Now I feel a strong will to study abroad, in my heart. It is very hard to do homework and study every day, but I realize that I can (actually, must) do them. When I think of my future life, and becoming a successful language learner, I can’t help smiling. This semester, I’m not a regular student, but an extension student. I want to do everything that I couldn’t do the last semester and what I must do now.