#62

New & Knew

Today is the first day of my study abroad in the United States.
From today, I'm gonna write my note in English to brush up my writing skill and expand my vocabulary.
I will not write Study Log during my study abroad because it's endless to write what I studied/learned through the day.

After I arrived the airport in the U.S., I experienced lots of things that I've never experienced in Japan.
In the airport restroom, a janitor was cleaning there with watching a movie (or maybe listening to music).
And, security guard (or airport staff) was chewing gum and using smartphone. These are unusual in Japan, I think. Some Japanese people may feel that they are rude, and not concentrating on their jobs (I don't think so, though).

Almost everything I experienced today was new to me because this is the first time that I go abroad. However, I wasn't surprised, because I already knew that there are lots of cultural differences between Japan and the United States.

To know something is almost the same as to ready for something.
You can prepare to react/accept everything you'll newly experience by knowing what kind of things you will face.

To summarize what I have been talking (writing) about, you can reduce stress by preparing for new environment.
I will, however, experience some things that I've never imagined in Japan. I will feel stress then. But that will also be a great learning and a great experience.

By the way, did you realize that the title of this note is a play on words?
"I experienced 'new' things today, but I already 'knew' that I'll experience them soon. So, I wasn't surprised."
I'm a little embarrassed to explain the meaning of the title, but I thought the homophones of 'new' and 'knew' is interesting.

Anyway, I'll do my best to make this study abroad a great experience.
I'm looking forward to moving in my university tomorrow!

Many thanks for reading my note.
See ya!