Problems for Asian Students: Pt. 8

Q: Would you introduce yourself?

A: My name is Aiki Kato and I am from Nagano, Japan. I came to Concord University this summer from Japan college of foreign language. I am in the Concord Tennis team with my roommate. My major is Business Marketing.

Q: When was your first day to come to the USA?

A: I came to a Guam in my elementary school days. It was a family trip. That was my first time to experience foreign culture. May 15th was my second time to come to USA. Concord University was my second experience.

Q: Do you miss your country? 

A: Of course I do. And it has been only 5 months that I came here. The biggest reason why I miss my country is food. I want to eat Japanese foods everyday but I cannot have it in the cafeteria in Concord University. So I sometimes go to the Japanese restaurant, but this is not real Japanese style. Food that I can have in America’s Japanese restaurant is Japanese-American style. But I think it is good, too! So I sometimes cook by myself. Mostly, I cook Sashimi and Yakiniku. Sashimi is a raw fish dish and Yakiniku is Japanese style grilled meat. And I miss my Japanese friends. 

Q: What made you come here?

A: League of Legends is one of my favorite games. One day while I was playing in that game, I met one American guy and he became my ally. We enjoyed the game together. So I wanted to interact him and have a conversation with him, but I could not, because my English was too bad. After that, I began to have interest in English and ‘Conversation on game thing’ became my motivation to learn English. Originally, I had no plan to come to USA to learn English, but I was really into movies when I was in high school. One day, I watched American movie and found out that it was not that look real, because Japanese artist dubbed actors in the movie. I wanted to watch the movie without dubbing for reality. Besides that, I really wanted to have some relationships with American people. And American University was much better for me to study. In Japan, it is really hard to go to University and way easier to graduate. For these reasons, Japanese university students are tend to not to study seriously. I did not like it. And I want to get a job in USA.

Q: Is there any reason that you came to Concord University?

A: I was looking for a smaller school. Because I thought people such as professors, students and staffs are more generous. Also, it is easy for me to ask and meet professors man to man. Tuition was not that expensive, too.

Q: How do you like it here?

A: I like West Virginia. Here is so similar with my hometown, Nagano. Temperature is almost same and the way town look is same. Nagano is also surrounded by mountain. People here are so nice and kind. Before Summer break, in the morning, I tried to bring two heavy bags to bus stop. It was so hot and it was hard to bring two bags at once. Suddenly, I met one woman and she helped me out bringing my bags to the bus stop. Even though we have never met before, she was really kind to me and it was impressive. In Japan, most people may not help this thing.

Q. What are the hardest things about staying here? 

A: Making friends is such a hard thing. There are some cultural differences from Japan and USA. For example, shaking hands and courtesy things. Also, some guys hug each other.  I don’t know what to do and correct gesture or timing. And I cannot speak English like Americans do. It is hard for me adjust in class discussion. Sometimes I am homesick and want to go back to Japan. Until now, I do not have many friend and it makes it hard. There are many fatty things in cafeteria. Almost everyday there are same foods. Sometimes I don’t know why alarms going off too many times.