ニュージーランド研修参加者からのレポートです。

The true meaning of the word "interesting"

I went to the University of Waikato which is in Hamilton city and studied general English for three weeks. The city is surrounded by great and beautiful nature and it was really a good place for me to live. Anyway, my class started on Tuesday after the students were separated into three classes as a result of a test we took on Monday. I was really excited, but really anxious about classes. Seven Japanese students were going to study in the classroom. When I entered the classroom, there were a lot of Asian people sitting in the chairs. I became sad because I thought we'd study with local Kiwi people. Our teacher came to us and introduced himself and we said our names. I didn't say anything after I sat down because I was so nervous and just scared. Actually, they were all Chinese. I was more nervous when my teacher made Japanese and Chinese students sit together and do activities with each other. I said "Hi" to my partner and he said “Hi,” too. We smiled at each other. We did a lot of speaking activities and discussed about the particular topics. As we talk each other, I gradually discovered that he was so kind and nice, but I also noticed that I had judged him by his race. We Japanese people tend to have a bad image of Chinese people, like that they are dirty or noisy, but it is wrong. All of the Chinese students in the class were so kind to me and they seemed to be so interested in Japanese culture. One of my friends helped me without saying anything when I had trouble with my computer. I was also interested in their culture and I began to talk to them positively. Then I noticed that I spent most of my break time talking with them. I couldn't stop talking with them because their culture is so interesting! There were so many things different from Japan, although China is near to Japan and seems to have a lot of similarities. Everything they said to me was entirely new and they always surprised me! I want to give you an example. What time do you think their high school starts? Actually, that was the biggest surprise for me. The answer is that it starts at 6:30 in the morning and ends at 10 p.m! This is from the second grade, and the first graders can choose whether they stay to study or just go home. Don't you think it's too strict? I think it's too strict, but it is their education and part of their culture. Everything they said was so interesting to me and I always felt sad when the time that we had to finish talking came. In the end, I finally learned the true meaning of the word "interesting" through the activities I did in New Zealand. It's not the meaning you find in a dictionary. The true meaning of "interesting" is that you get so fascinated and absorbed in what someone is saying and their condition that you cannot get your eyes off from the other people's eyes and try hard to listen and catch even if their language is difficult. My eyes must have been shining when I was talking with them. Actually, their English was so difficult to catch and I really take tired after I talked to them. I think that Chinese people often don't pronounce the ending of a word and link the words like their own language, Chinese., but their talk attracted me so much and I had more desire to talk with them. Anyway, all the activities I did became really unforgettable memories and some of them even changed my mind! They will keep pushing me forward to the future and will always inspire me. I really appreciate my family for letting me go to New Zealand and I really thank you, all of my best friends and teachers!