by Saki Mu

I had really interesting homestay weekend last weekend. On Friday night, Miyuki, Saki and I were picked up for the stay at 4:30pm. My host family were really nice and answered lots of questions that we asked about cultural difference topics that we had. We each had different topic so they made a question time for us. I’ve found out many interesting things about our topics.

I think homestay is the best way to learn about different culture and discovering what is different from Japan. There were many interesting differences between Japanese and American way of thinking. First of all, Saki asked about her topic,’ junior and senior relationship’, which was really interesting. She asked to our host parents if they have specific ways of showing respect like Japanese do, such as bowing and using specific word forms for respect. Mr. Gary said they don’t use specific form of words because English is English. He said there is some way to show respect to the elderly people, but not as formal as Japanese do. He said Japanese act in a more formal way to show their respect. Secondly, I think Americans always says nice compliments. When we were at the table eating dinner, Mr. Gary always said nice thing to Mrs.Lexi, who made the meal. I thought this is a really nice thing to do, because I hardly say compliments when I’m eating in Japan. It was hard for me to try to say “It’s delicious” because it was unusual for me. In Japan, some people say compliments, but not many. In Japan, quiet means good. However, it is not same in America. We have to speak to show our respect and silence means bad in America. I have to keep reminding myself to speak out for the compliments.

I’ve found out many differences between Japanese and American way of thinking while I stayed at my host family’s house. In addition, I have learned many precious things from my host family. Hearing about relationship and table manners was very interesting. I didn’t know that in the past, men had to care women every single minute whenever they were having meals. I think I have to learn more cultural differences between America and Japan to understand more deeply.

Homestay weekend

By Sae

I couldn’t wait for homestay weekend since I’ve met my host family, Larry and Linda at match up day. They welcomed us warmly like family. Honestly, I didn’t look forward to spending time with host family much in America because there were 4 chances to have host family when I was in Australia. I had trouble with one family, so it was little scary to stay with host family again. In match up, my new host family had already known about us and understood my trauma because our professor, Brooks already told them about us. Dr. Brooks and my host mother have known each other since they were 12 years old. That surprised me, but their genial welcome made me relaxed.

This was the first time for her to be host family because her best friend Dr. Brooks recommended having us as host daughters to Linda. Nevertheless, Linda called us our children and cuddled me at the entrance on Friday when she saw us at Cannon House. That was the first time that I could feel her affection for people. In three days, we went many places such as downtown, Italian restaurant and Catholic Church. Wherever we went to, she talked with friends, and then whenever she met her friends or even acquaintances, she introduced us to them. It wouldn’t be happened in Japan; on the other hand, many people don’t have community and companionship like Americans do. Through 18 years, I didn’t have relationship with my neighbors like my host mother; therefore, I was confused at first. However, I think companionship is important in American life. Especially, in Spokane, people know each other long time because they lived in Spokane since they were children, so they help each other like family.

In addition, people in Spokane care about their city so much. For example, the owner of Italian restaurant where we went on Sunday serves one doughnut for free if people give signature on paper for saving MAC, and then many people signed them; People in Spokane try to make their city better together. I never saw these kinds of actions in Japan. Although I know it is proper that people care about own city, I didn’t do anything for my city because adults don’t lead children the way in modeling in Japan. It is hard to live without support from someone.

Through the three days, I knew what charity is in Spokane. People help each other and welcome new people warmly. It seems to be easy, but Japanese people don’t do it. We could have many relationships by one strong relationship such as the relationship between Linda and Dr. Brooks. That’s why I met my new parents, Larry and Linda. I realized that is why Spokane is nice city and people who live in Spokane love their hometown. Having good relationship is the most important thing to lead a pleasant life in the beautiful city.

Sixty hostdaughters

Haruka

My host parents are loved by their sixty host daughters. Homestay weekend is the best weekend at MFWI. We can practice speaking English and learn about American culture. In addition, we can make a good relationship. I spent a precious time with my host parents: Mark and Ruth Danner.

The most enjoyable time was talking with Mark and Ruth at home. We did many things outside the house. On Saturday, we went to their friends’ birthday party. At the birthday party, Mr. and Mrs. Danner introduced me to their friends, so I could talk with many people. On Sunday morning, I went to church, and met their friends. All people in church were so friendly. I shook hands with many people. We had a pleasant time outside the house. However, it was more delightful time for me to spend time with them inside the house. We talked a lot. Their stories made my heart warm. Mark and Ruth have had sixty host daughters including me. Mark has been working at MFWI for fifteen years, and they are a Host Family ever year. They showed me their host daughters’ pictures. My host parents loved talking about their host daughters. They stay in contact with some host daughters, and have visited their host daughters’ house. When they went to Japan, they were really busy to meet their daughters.

Mr. and Mrs. Danner don’t have their own children, but they have many daughters in Japan. They love their daughters with all their heart. They welcomed me as a daughter. That’s why my host parents are loved by their sixty host daughters.

American family use a magic word

by Sayuri

I met my nice second family in America. I spent a weekend with my host family. We talked a lot, cooked brunch and watched a movie together. I felt I touched the real American family life. I found an important thing to live in America; saying thank you anytime. What a wonderful word!

In Japan, we say “I’m sorry” more often than “Thank you.” Japanese tend to think about troubles with families, friends and colleagues. As a result, we easily show our apologies. On the other hand, Americans choose gratitude when they are helped by other people. It is important to live in both countries, Japan and America. I learned it through the home stay. For example, my host mother carried some heavy things, so my host father helped her. After that, she said thank you with a smile. If it happened in Japan Japanese will say I’m sorry before they show their thanks. It is really nice to say thank you when we are helped by someone. People who are given thanks by other people will feel happy and become more kinder people.

We get a smile when we say thank you. Moreover, we feel happy, warm and pleased when we are showed gratitude. It is wonderful to use thank you naturally in our life. It is sometimes difficult to show thanks because of feeling shy. However, if we are able to say thank you, we will become wonderful people. I think thank you is a magic word.

Wonderful Homestay Weekend!

Miyuki
How wonderful homestay is! In fact, I did not know how amazing it was before I spent time with my host family because it was my first time, and I was anxious about what would happen to me. Contrary to my worries, the homestay was terrific; I learned American culture more directly than I do at MFWI. What surprised me was the housing and some food, so I want to talk about these things accounting for my impression and how fun the homestay was.

What do you think about homestay? You might feel nervous, but you do not have to be because it is very fun. The most interesting things are housing I stayed, and visited and food I ate. It took about fifteen minutes to go to the host family’s house from MFWI, and when I arrived there, I was surprised at the size and construction of the house because I had hardly seen such a residence in Japan. On entering the residence, I noticed that it was filled with a lot of beautiful furniture, uncommon ornaments, and sweat love of the family. In addition, I realized that the house was designed in a different way from Japan’s; there is more extra room than there is in Japan. I understood some Americans use many rooms for different purposes like a bedroom and a library. On the other hand, some Japanese use a few rooms in diverse ways like they often share a bedroom and a library. Next, when I helped the host family to make dinner, pizza, I was also amazed at how they did it; there were two big ovens and a dish washer. I have hardly heard that people in Japan have such these things in their kitchens, so I was astonished to see their wonderful ways of cooking. Additionally, I learned differences between America and Japan of what food people ate at every meal. I mean that food I ate was completely different from food I usually eat in Japan; I ate cinnamon roll in the morning for the first time. These things I learned from a visit to host family’s house were new for me; however, they were also interesting to know some culture of America.

Do you understand how brilliant homestay is? You might feel strange about differences between America and Japan, but you will start to enjoy them. In America, housing is lovely because there are a lot of rooms with nice stuff for different purposes, and food is delicious and healthy. As a result, I had a great time with my host family. You can go through great experiences if you have an opportunity like me.

Heartwarming Scenes

By Reika

Living with my host family was a great experience. Even if the time I spent with them was very short, I found some surprising things about relationships in Spokane. For two nights and three days, I faced three heartwarming scenes at their home, restaurant and church.

Host father was standing in the kitchen! It was the most surprising thing for me to see a man cooking and helping his wife. That never happens in Japan. Generally, the role of men is working outside, so men normally rest on their weekend; however, that fact was different in America. The men work both inside and outside of the house to help their family. That also shows us the men and women respect each other.

Another interesting experience I had was when I visited an Italian restaurant near the Museum of Art and Culture named “Italiana”. I had a delicious waffle with apple cream. A waiter came to our table to bring the waffle and she also brought papers on her hand. They were about a signature against the closing MAC. I visited the museum last Friday in American Studies class and it was a great opportunity to know about women’s dress code in each era. Local people were against the fact that MAC would be closed by the government because of a financial problem. In order to protect one museum, local people were all working together and trying to save the building. There was a strong connection among people in Spokane.

Final surprising experience was when I visited the beautiful church which was located in Gonzaga University, and then I saw a person that was doing sign language for people who couldn’t hear. She translates what the missionary said; moreover, there were special seats for disabled people. I’ve never been to a church in Japan, so I have no idea whether Japan has done something for challenging people; although, I was so impressed by the Americans’ gentle behaviors.

Though the homestay weekend, I found some interesting and surprising things about American culture. In addition, I found people in Spokane have good relationships with each other. I felt Spokane people always respect and help each other. That’s why I saw many warm and heartwarming scenes during the weekend.

Homestay Weekend

Saki


My first home stay in America was interesting. I went on homestay with my classmates, Saki and Miyuki, this weekend. My host father’s name is Gary and mother’s name is Lexi. We were going to do some activities so we planned this weekend with Gary and Lexi on the match up day. I was looking forward to waiting the home stay weekend and I had a good opportunity to learn about American people’s life thorough the homestay this weekend.

Friday was the first wonderful day for me. Saki, Miyuki and I met Gary and Lexi at four thirty, and they introduced their house. I was surprised because Gary’s house looked like a hotel, not a house. The house was cute and beautiful with colorful decorations. We made a pizza after the introduction. I’ve never made it, so I enjoyed making it, and it was very delicious. Gary always goes to bed early and wakes up early, so we finished talking around ten o’clock after the dinner.

I was looking forward to going outside on Saturday. If it was fine, we were going to go to see an eagle and go for a walk, but if it rained, we were going to go bowling. Fortunately, we went to see the eagle. We couldn’t see the eagle because it seemed to have already gone away, so we walked around the town and lake instead. We ate out at the lunch, but we made the dinner with Gary and Lexi. Saki, Miyuki and I made the Japanese traditional food, Nikujaga, for Gary and Lexi because we made the pizza yesterday. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see the eagle, but we had a good time with Mr. and Ms. Gary.

I moved actively. We were going to go shopping on Sunday. Saki, Miyuki, Lexi and I made breakfast and lunch, and then we went shopping. We didn’t go with Gary because he had to go another appointment. We went to Lexi’s mother’s house after shopping. We met her mother and her brother there. They were very kind, and they were willing to welcome us. We talked a lot during the dinner and played games. I had a great time with Lexi’s family because they were very kind and made us fun.

I spent the precious time with Gary and Lexi on homestay weekend. The most important thing I learned from Gary and Lexi’s life is they helped each other. Most wives have to make the meal for their families in Japan, but Gary helped Lexi when she made dinner or cooked the dessert. Saki, Miyuki and I also helped them, and we cleaned the kitchen and the dishes with everybody after the meal, so I think the people help each other all time in America.

Yuko

American family

I went to our host family’s house this weekend with my roommate, Ayumi. We did many activities such as going bowling and going shopping. I don’t go out of the MFWI campus so often, so I was happy to get the chance to go to some places in Spokane.

American people think conversation among family is so important. They don’t turn on the TV while they eat meals because they would like to talk with other family members while they are having meals. When I was in Japan and lived with my family, we always turned on the TV while we were having meals. If there weren’t any TV sounds while we were having meals, there would be lots of silence during the time we had meals. We might rely on the TV as a role of makeing our room a little bit noisy. When we were eating meals, there wasn’t so much conversation between our family members. We just watched TV, laughed on watching what was happening on the TV show, and ate meals. However, our host family kept talking while they had meals. They talked about how the host mother made meals, their neighborhood, or what they’ve learned by watching the news. They didn’t forget to say something humorous during their conversation, too. Sometimes I couldn’t understand the humorous things they were saying, but I knew they were trying to make me laugh. They sometimes asked me whether I was fine because especially in morning, my face looks so sleepy and tired. They seemed to care about us as real family members.

My host family communicated not only by means of the words, but also by body language, so I think American families try to know what is happening with their family members or what they’re thinking by various communication ways such as funny voice or just greeting each other.

Enjoy everything!

By Miu Everything I thought about living in the countryside was wrong. However, compared with the place where my host family took me last Sunday, my hometown was not countryside at all. I don’t like countryside because I am accustomed living there since I was born. However, the countryside of Spokane was different from my hometown, so I really enjoyed the place. It is the best memory during the homestay, and I also learned an important thing from this experience.

I was really surprised because my host family has three houses. The first house is for to live in by them and the second one is for lending to someone, and the third one is for their hobby. My host father, Paul, and mother, Christine really like nature. Therefore, they bought a house at Green Bluff to enjoy their holidays. On Sunday, my host family took Yuiko and me to their third house. On the way there, I saw a lot of animals such as cows, horses and alpacas. I’ve never seen so many alpacas before, so I was very surprised. Arriving at their house, I was surprised again because their land is so huge. Paul likes country work. He has his own tractor and I got it rode. My house is in countryside, but my family doesn’t have any field; so, it was the first experience for me. I used the backhoe and moved a little snow. After that, I boiled a sausage and made a hotdog. It was so delicious. Next, I boiled a marshmallow and ate them with chocolates and cookies. This American popular outdoor sweet is called “s’more”. When I came to Spokane as an exchange student two years ago, I went to senior year camp with Saint George’s students; then we did the same thing. S’more is my favorite sweet, so I was really happy to eat it again. When I was eating it, I saw a deer. I’ve seen it only once before, and it is my second time to meet a deer. At Green Bluff, I had a lot of precious and great experiences.

Before I went to Green Bluff, actually I didn’t want to go to there so much. I would rather go shopping again than go to countryside. However, I saw beautiful nature and many animals, rode my host father’s tractor and ate delicious outdoor foods, and I really enjoyed the place. The most important thing I learned from my host family is exactly that. To enjoy everything! Paul works at a bank every day, so he needs something to relax on the weekend. Relaxing for him is going to the countryside and having fun! My host family enjoyed this activity so much, so I also enjoyed it. My home stay weekend was so exciting. Thank you Anderson family.

The most important thing in American Life

Ayumi

Week 4

8. Mar

How important people are around us! I realized this during this invaluable weekend. I stayed at Mr. and Mrs. Eckenrode's house on this first home stay weekend. Both of them are retired teachers. They are in the same generation as my grandparents. Their children had already got their own job and left their home. They seemed to treasure their community and enjoy their life the second stage of life.

The more important thing than any other is probably friends. There are a lot of neighbor near their house, because they live in the same section called Crown Point. Mr. and Mrs. Eckenrode always talk about their neighbors, and they spend their time together just for fun. It creates warm atmosphere near the Eckenrode's house. They have more friends, not only in the place where they live, but also at the church they visit every Sunday.

Their life seems to be very ideal old age life. Both of them spend many hours for their hobbies. My host father often run and he's won a lot of competition. He has many medals, running clothes and shoes in his hobby room. My host mother likes cooking very much, especially making some desserts. Her husband prefers to eat something sweet, so she often makes cakes or cookies for him. Furthermore, they always enjoy bowling together. They always visit bowling center twice a week. I've never seen such an active and romantic couple before. It doesn't happen in my grandparents' case.

For Mr. and Mrs. Eckenrode, friends and hobbies are indispensable in their life. That's why they can keep good communication between both neighbors and them. The husband's behavior, who always helps setting and cleaning the table, shows they are very cooperative with each other. I guess if they pay more attention to their health in the future, it'll be a more wonderful life, and I hope they live longer.