From America_Final Report_Pleasant Hill HS_June 25th_2016

Now here comes the final monthly report from Oregon, USA.  Ellie Goto, a student of Otsuma Nakano High School and Pleasant Hill High School as an exchange student for a year to study, expresses her special farewell to the people in Oregon who gave great hospitalities and consideration to her.  "Stand by me!"

Hello guys! This is my last report about my exchange at PHHS. I hope you enjoy:)

The middle of this month, our school had a graduation ceremony for the seniors because they finishd sooner than the rest of the student’s. I'm not a senior but since I’m one of the foreign exchange students I was allowed to participate in the graduation and the graduation party after that.

Some of you might know that graduating students in America wear a cap and gown. The tradition is for students to throw their caps in the air. Of course, we threw our caps! In Japan, graduation is definitely pretty serious. But here it is more casual. I was so surprised and laughed a lot because two guys put a pizza box with pizza on their caps. They even ate some and tossed pieces to their friends to share during part of the ceremony… I literally felt American.

After Graduation, we enjoyed a graduation party. It was kept a secret and none of the students knew where they would be going or what they would be doing.  We rode a bus and waited to hear our itinerary. First, we went on a yacht and took a cruise on the Columbia River in Portland. We did lots of fun activities with all of our friends. . After the cruise, we went bowling and spent the rest of our time there. We also ate breakfast. In the early morning, we drove back home. It was so much fun!

I'd like to tell you guys how I've been feeling throughout this exchange experience.

This was my first time as an exchange student that lasted almost one year. At first, I was really worried that my speaking skills and my other abilities were not developed. That's why I tried so hard to get used to this country and culture. Honestly, before I came I had been wondering if I should do an exchange at my age. I was doing cheer and studying so much and I was not sure if I could get back the one year that I'd miss. But now, in fact, I can clearly understand that it was greatest experience of my life and it will be so helpful for me in the near future. I’m not just grateful for my English skills. If someone asks me, "Do you think this exchange made you grow up as a person?  I'll say "definitely yes." I would never be able to learn American history if I was in Japan. I would never be able to make friends from different countries with different languages. Of course, I'd never know how difficult it is. Even with some struggles, I would say this whole year was full of joy! I talked to a lot of people from a different country and asked how they think and feel.

I've talked with my American History Teacher about the atomic bomb and he said, "I don't know if there was a different way to make the war over at that time, but I know it was terrible to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that had so many people who didn't relate with the war at all." I really agreed with his opinion.  I said to him, "The past is in the past for remembering and keeping in our minds. It is more important to think what we should do next based on the past." He said he wants to visit those cities someday. I was so grateful to be able to discuss the war with him even though it’s not such a positive subject.  I found we could understand each other even if we speak different languages. I felt that is a point of globalization. I'd love to learn other languages and understand other people living in different countries. I believe that is the way to understand each other like my history teacher and I.

I know what I'll try is not easy. It might take a long time and be difficult along the way, but I'll remember this experience each time I feel like giving up. My memories and experiences here will support me, help me, and make me remember that I have people who will always be here for me.

The principal and all the seniors sang this song at graduation.

When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we'll see

No I won't be afraid

Oh, I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

So darling, darling

Stand by me, oh stand by me

Oh stand, stand by me

Stand by me

I appreciate my lovely host family, friends, PHHS teachers and all of the people who I've met in Oregon.  I love them lots and will never forget them!  Also,  special thanks to all those who supported my exchange including YOU!!!

Thank you and farewell until I see you again, Oregon.

Sincerely yours,

Ellie Goto

 皆さんこんにちは！今月で私の留学の最後のレポートになります。楽しんで頂ければ幸いです。

今月の半ば、私の通っているPHHSでは卒業式がありました。私は卒業生ではないのですが、留学生として参加が認められその後の卒業パーティーにも行くことができました。

こちらの卒業式は、知っている方も多いと思いますが帽子とガウンを着て式後は皆で帽子を投げるのが伝統とされています。私ももちろん帽子を投げました！そして、日本の卒業式との大きな違いはやはりカジュアルな所でしょうか。私が驚いたのは、2人の男子が帽子にピザが入った箱を乗っけて式の間に投げたり食べていたことです…。その瞬間に「ああ、アメリカだなあ」と思いました。

卒業式の後は、秘密の卒業パーティーに行きました。卒業生はバスに乗り、携帯も全て取り上げられて行く先もわからないという物なのですが、真夜中にクルーズ船に乗ったりボーリング場に行ったりしてとても楽しかったです！

さて、最後のレポートとして読んでくださっている私の留学経験を通して皆さんに伝えたいことがあります。今回は私にとって初めての1年間という長期留学だったのですが、初めは本当に自分の英語力で大丈夫なのか、こんな不完全な状態で良いのか心配でした。

留学する前も部活や勉強の事で、今長期留学をするべきなのかどうかも迷いました。​ですが、ここにきて、努力してその結果がついてきたことで私にとってここでの経験は最高の宝になりました。人間として成長したかと聞かれたなら、言うまでもなく私は首を縦にふるでしょう。

学校でアメリカ史の先生と原爆の話をしていた時に、彼は「あの時代に、あの戦争を終わらせる他のやり方があったかどうかは僕にはわからない。でも、広島と長崎という、何の罪もない人々の所に原爆が落とされたのは惨たらしいことだ。」と仰っていました。私はといえば彼の意見に賛成で、「過去は記憶し、私たちの心に留めておくものであり、批判や議論を醸すよりもそれを踏まえて私達が次に何をしなければいけないのかと考えることが重要だと思います」と述べました。

言語が違っても、このように話し合いができたのが本当に嬉しかったです。例えそれが、明るい出来事でなかったとしても。「グローバル」というのは、違う点があっても、何かを共通して理解しあえる。そういう事だと思います。私はこれから、また違う言語を学んで違う国に住む人達とも分かり合えるようになりたいと思っています。私と、アメリカ史の先生のように。それは簡単な事ではありません。遠く、厳しい道かもしれません。ですが私は、諦めそうになった時ここでの経験を思い出して力にしようと思います。ここでの全てが、私を支え、助け、私の力になってくれる人がいることを思い出させてくれるのです。

私たちは、卒業式でこの歌を歌いました。

When the night has come

夜が訪れて

And the land is dark

あたりが闇に包まれても

And the moon is the only light we'll see

月の光だけがただ一つ僕達の支えだとしても

No I won't be afraid

僕は恐れないよ

Oh, I won't be afraid

ああ、怖がらなくたっていいんだ

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

君が、君さえ僕のそばに居てくれれば

So darling, darling

だからお願いだよ

Stand by me, oh stand by me

僕の近くに

Oh stand, stand by me

僕の隣にいてほしい

Stand by me

何も恐れる事はない、君が僕のそばにいれば

私を支えてくれた優しいホストファミリー、友達、PHHSの先生方、この留学を支えて下さった全ての方にお礼申し上げます。勿論、読んで下さったそこの貴方にもとても感謝しています！

また会う日まで、ありがとう。

後藤絵里衣