In this “Job Shadow in New York”, I got much better experiences than I had expected. Above all things, my mentality changed very greatly. Especially, the way of thinking got a change. While I was in New York, I always felt how using English is important and is difficult. Not to mention that we can do nothing without any communication tools. So I realized English is very important. To my surprise, speaking English was easier than listening to. In fact, I could hardly understand what natives are speaking. At first, I had trouble with ordering food at a restaurant. Hearing English is quite different from writing English. I hadn't thought English is very difficult, so it killed my enthusiasm.
In the Job-shadowing at CBS, I got many discover which I never knew. One of them is that, there are so many people who are involved in creating a TV program. The job I was especially impressed is the TV editor. In the control room, he creates TV program with a lot of information from many parts of the world. I was so surprised at the number of TV display. We also visited a company, ”Price Waterhouse Coopers”. In this company, some of the employees are Japanese. And they taught me the difference between the work place in Japan and that in the U.S. I felt interesting when I hear their speaking.
Entirely, all of the workers I saw looked very delightfully and they are proud of their jobs. The negative image I had against working disappeared and my sense of value was changed. I have seen a job from outside, but this time I saw a job from inside for the first time. So now I am interested in working. This sense may strongly influence my way for the future.
Now I'm 16 years old and it is high time for thinking of the college. In this trip, we visited New York University and JKO high school. In New York University, I had an opportunity to attend a seminar. To tell the truth, I couldn't understand the seminar at all. However, the atmosphere was good and students are active so I enjoyed very much.
When I visited JKO high school, it was also continuance of surprising. The school was very big, and teachers were very friendly. They said “welcome to JKO. Please enjoy.” It was a pleasant way of speaking. In Japan, I have never heard such a friendly talk. So I felt a little culture shock. And there was some difference in class between Japan and the U.S. When I was tenth grade, I had study economy by “MESE”. And JKO student showed us a simulation program like MESE. They explained to us the program, and I thought it is elaborated. I was so surprised at the program. The most surprising thing was that JKO students were mature for their age. I felt as if they are collage students.
Anyway, there were too many things in the Job-shadow in New York to write. I have learned many things from this program. I particularly learned a fear of terrorism when we went to ground zero. Now reconstruction is still done, and the fear scene made my heart painful. I realized I haven't known real fear of terrorism. The word “Seeing is believing.” is true, I thought. It is important to see things through my own eyes.
Actually I was hesitated to apply for Job-shadowing at first. But I decided to apply, and I could get many priceless experiences. I never expected as such. This time, I learned that to be active is very valuable to live. So, I would like to get more activity and challenge everything.
Finally, I'd like to say thank you very much to the Junior Achievement.
The one-week when I stayed in New York was just like a long dream. It's like I went completely into a movie world. I still can't believe I walked around Time's Square. I have literally fallen in love with New York City.
If I were to try to write all the places I visited, the people I met, the things that I saw and felt, I could write a book. The tour in the building of the United Nations with people from various countries, Russia, Australia, and Italy, the Metropolitan Museum and the American Museum of Natural History which I couldn't go around in a whole day, the wonderful Broadway musical “MAMMA MIA!”, and of course the broadcasting studio of CBS, are all experiences that I will never forget. But I'll write about some of the most impressive ones.
First, I listened to the people who work for PWC and the New York branch of JA. PWC is an accounting company in the East of Midtown and most of the company employees are Japanese or people connected with Japan. I was deeply moved by the natives' fluent English and their vigorous expressions when each of them explained how they had come to work there. They are very proud of their jobs and love them. Then a question came to my mind, “Do Japanese office workers have such bright expressions on their faces, too?” At least I have never seen those bright expressions on the faces of the office workers I see in the commuter trains in Japan.
And I was surprised at the variety of the workers. People of various races worked there. Some of them were born in New York and grew up there, others came from distant states or countries. And everyone has his or her own reason for joining JA and plays his or her own role. Now, in Japan, internationalization is rapidly taking place in the business world. It made me wonder how we could give comfortable working spaces in Japan to the people who have different backgrounds. I want to ask this question to as many people as I can, because I believe that sharing it with many people will give me a clue to the answer. The next morning after we arrived in New York, we visited New York University. I thought we might take a group tour, however, one of the students took me out, and all of a sudden she and I were all alone. So my mind went blank for a moment. But, she showed me many places and told me a lot of things ever so kindly.
The most memorable thing with her was that I could attend a class she took. The idea that no one but me in a large building could speak Japanese was enough to make me excited. But I got more excited by the class. It was a discussion style class, so their professor gave a theme to students and they discussed. Then they made a decision. The topic of the class was to choose one student from five applicants to give a scholarship to. The university students broke into groups of five or six and were given a handout on which some information about each applicant was written. Then they exchanged their ideas with each other. I'm used to lecture style classes so it was a total surprise. I was fascinated by the students' eagerness. I used to have an image that Japanese were hardworking, but I felt American students are more diligent than we are nowadays. Without the wall of language, I would have joined the discussion. I felt frustrated from the bottom of my heart. At that time I decided to study English much harder than before and to take a class there someday.
It was the time when we appeared CBS's morning TV program that we met JKO high school students for the first time. Since we took part in Job Shadow together at the same time, I was relaxed and enjoyed talking with them while we were walked around their high school. One of the major differences from our high school was that the students can join Virtual Enterprises, an international program in which students in schools around the world establish and run simulated companies that "trade" with one another. They looked enjoying simulated businesses making a catalog at school. Yokohama Seiryo High School I attend is a comprehensive school. We have various subjects require a positive attitude during the class. For example, “Human Beings and Industrial Society” and “Communication” We can get some credits for extracurricular activities such as “Internship” and “Volunteering” I hope these programs will be widely accepted in the Japanese education systems.
It was also very fun that I taught Japanese to my partner. She and I got along with each other and promised we'd keep in touch. This happy memory will be never forgotten.
Visiting Planet Hollywood was another valuable experience. It helped me think about my future career. Planet Hollywood is a restaurant where some of famous stars are concerned with its management. We can see a lot of costumes and properties used in Hollywood movies and many pictures of movie stars. For a film addict like me, it was just like heaven. Before I visited New York, I had almost given up my dream that I would work in the movie business. I thought that movies would give people only pleasure and be of little help to people. But when I thought prosperous restaurant and the college department of film and theatre in New York University, my mind changed. The United States is a big power in movie industry. Movies may teach us a lot of things that we don't know, motivate us and give rise to various problems. They make people laugh and cry. I think it's a fabulous thing.
The week I stayed in New York passed very quickly, but I learned many things. For example, before the visit I was nervous about if I could make myself understood in English. I really wanted to improve my English, however, I thought I couldn't do it in a week and that I would disgrace myself by speaking poor English. After the week, I'm sure I can use better English. Of course, I could scarcely increase my vocabulary nor learn any new grammar in such a short period. But I got use to speaking English. The fact I could communicate in English made the distance between English and me shorten. Besides my frustration when I cannot express what I am thinking in English although I can understand what other people are saying, I long for New York and I want to see the nice people I met there again. All of these things will be strong motivation for me to study English.
Meeting a lot of people was one of my treasures this trip gave me. Every person that spoke to me was friendly. I can remember a man I met with in an elevator and students I saw in the rest room in school and so on. I talked to people with various occupations. Every one of them had full of facial expressions and just embodied the “Land of Liberty”. I realized meeting a lot of people would make our lives more worth living. In New York, even meeting with homeless people helped me think about how to live my life. I'll keep it in mind that learning from people I meet is the best way to learn about the world.
We have few chances to realize that we're Japanese. And we unconsciously raise our guards against people who look like foreigners. Though internationalization has been proceeding, domestic news rather than international can be heard and seen here in Japan. Compared with overseas countries, I find that Japan is a closed country. To learn about other countries lead us to know more about Japan. I want to visit New York again. Then I want to go around the world to get a global point of view. I came to have a clearer vision of my future. I believe I could sufficiently achieve my aims of visiting New York, which are “forming my identity” and “improving my English”. I'd like to help Japan to proceed with its internationalization in its true meaning.
Lastly, it would have been impossible to visit so many places and to see a lot of people in such a short term without JA's program. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to people of JA, to my teachers in Yokohama Seiryo High School for giving me precious experiences, and to all the people I met in this trip.
During the seven days that I participated in the Junior Achievement program, I met many people, experienced many new things, and learned stuff that I wouldn't have been able to in Japan.
When we visited the local high school and university, I was able to notice what we had in common, and what we didn't, by just living in a different environment. The students there were very kind in taking us around the school. When we had some spare time, we chatted about things like our families, our country, or recent movies, to get to know each other. When I was shocked at how people in New York never really pay attention to the streetlights, they would always laugh and tell me that it's nothing once you start living there. The meeting with the Japanese staff at PricewaterhouseCoopers was new and exciting too, and I earned a lot from the conversations we had. The people there told me about their life from why they decided to study in the U.S. to how they got their jobs now. There were lots to learn from these stories, since I'm deciding what university to go to right now. It was interesting to discuss things like career, or what's popular in Japan, with the people that I wouldn't have met in my everyday life. Also the fact that we were able to speak entirely in Japanese made it a relaxing time compared to the other schedules that were entirely in English. All throughout the program, I was able to get in touch with the kindness that everyone had, and the image that I had of New Yorkers as being cold completely crumbled.
Second, I got to experience many things that I would never have been able to on my own. The biggest experience during the program would of course be the job shadowing at CBS station, but the visits to the schools were unforgettable too. What I remember most out of the school tours was the class I saw at the high school. Since it was a business school, they had a class that used a program on the web called “Virtual Enterprise”. The class is treated as one office, and by using the “virtual money” they have on the program, they learn how to sell their products and gain profit. The room is divided with cubicles and the students are assigned to stations, such as advertise, finance, and so on. These classes can teach the students the actual techniques they need when they go into a career. Not knowing any classes that teach lessons like these in Japan, I was very surprised at the high level US schools can offer. Their focus in education was totally different from Japan's. The visit to CBS station was also a great experience. During the job shadow program, we were able to tour around the studios and take a look inside the control room, and hear from the newscasters, staffs, and even the producer about what they do as their job in CBS. It was a great experience to be able to see the inside of a company, even more precious that it was a television studio, and it inspired me a lot with the image of what “working” is. To me, the chance to have these experiences was very precious, because I have an interest in learning business and marketing.
We also had some time to visit spots in New York. One of the places that were impressing was Ground Zero. I had been longing to visit this spot from before, but I wasn't sure how I would react; if I was going to feel upset or angry, until I got there. I was expecting to see more memorials- indeed there was one inside the building across the street- but when I looked down on the ground, I found trucks working to build a new building, and cars passing by hurriedly. The sight didn't seem all upsetting; in fact, it gave me the impression that the people there were moving on to the next level. Surely we cannot forget what happened, but I also got the feeling that we shouldn't stay gloomy forever, that we should face forward and move on. This was not something I could've gotten by watching my television at home, and I am grateful for having a chance to visit. We also got to see other spots such as the United Nations and the museums.
The experiences I had during the program were all very rare and precious. What I was able to do was something that I could never have experienced by just living in Japan. While living in the same environment for a long time, I had unconsciously gotten an image that it was normal to go to a Japanese university, and work in a Japanese office. Although, after these seven days I am starting to feel that I want to learn more about the world, and work in the big world, rather than a small society. I don't know if that feeling of mine will bring me to studying abroad or to working in a foreign country, but I did have a wish to work overseas from before, and I feel that that will have gotten stronger.
On top it all, it was great to meet the other members, who were gathered from all over Japan. To a person like me, who has never moved away from Tokyo, knowing about other parts of the country and just getting to know everyone was a good experience. I am very thankful to everyone in Junior Achievement, and the teachers who allowed me to be a part of this great experience. It was truly an amazing week.
1.31 Tuesday
Today was the day to leave Japan for New York City, which I had been looking to, to participate in the job shadow of the junior achievement. I was very worried because this was my first time to visit New York, and I didn't know any one who was going with me. When I arrived at the airport and went to the place where we meet up, all the people there were talking to each other. Then after checking-in, we left Japan for New York! I had never been on a flight for as long as 12 hours before. To sleep in the seat was fine for me up to 5 hours, but after that my back started hurting because of sitting too long. Once I arrived there, I felt very strange because I left Japan on the night of January 31, and arrived in New York on the night of January 31. I was very tired because of the 12 hour flight, however I couldn't believe that I was in New York. We went to the hotel by bus. When I saw many signs written in English from the window, I realized that I was really in New York. We had dinner at the hotel restaurant. The size of the food was amazing!! It was so big that I couldn't eat everything. We are going to New York University tomorrow. I am very excited.
2.1 Wednesday
Today, we visited New York University (NYU). When we arrived at NYU, the university students guided us around their university, and the streets around there. NYU was so large that we couldn't see all the buildings in time. NYU doesn't have their buildings all in one place like most universities in Japan. They had their buildings in many places around Washington Square Park. After being shown some of the campus, they took us outside to show us the park. When we walked across the park, I saw many squirrels! There were some on the tree, and some on the grass. They didn't run away when we got closer to see them. I was so surprised because we can hardly see squirrels in Japan. I asked the student of NYU and she said it's usual in NY to see squirrels in the park. I was very impressed by the collaboration between nature and big city.
Then we went back to university to participate in their class. I observed the class was talking about stock. It was too difficult for me, to understand the content of the class. But I felt that the students were very motivated. They asked questions to the teacher at every point where they couldn't understand. I thought it would be a great pleasure to learn in this kind of environment and at the same time, I hope I can study in this kind of environment in the future. After visiting NYU, we went to see Ground Zero. The construction had already started, so we saw it from the building across the road. The hole was very deep and I could see the underground clearly. I realized the seriousness of what had happened by seeing it in reality. Then at the American Express building we saw a big crystal hanging down from the ceiling represents tears of eleven people who passed away in the 9.11 attack. Below the crystal there was something like a small pond, where their names and their characteristics were engraved. As I stared at it, it made me sad. I learned the importance of peace, and I wish this kind of thing will never happen again in the future.
2.2 Thursday
Today, we went to CBS wearing our uniform in the morning. We were on the TV with students in New York for the weather report of ‘The Early Show'. I was very excited. Then we went inside the studio. I was shocked when I saw it, because it was much smaller than I had imagined. By only watching it on TV, I had thought they were filming in a large room. Then we went inside to see the controlling room. There were many small TVs on the wall to check the news which is filmed, and to edit them. Incidentally most days, newscasters come to work at 4:30 am and people who work in the controlling room come at 2:30 am. Also they were filming the 10￣20 second scene over and over again. I learned that working in a TV station was very hard. I realized that even in short TV programs, there are many people working very hard behind the scenes, and I was very impressed by that. And also I learned Severity of work.
After that, students of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis high school (JKO)who had visited CBS with us, showed us their school. It seemed that marketing was the main subject taught in the school and classrooms were set up like an office, different from Japanese schools which set only desks and chairs in classrooms. I was very surprised by that. The content of the class was very technical and it looked like a real company. I was impressed with that because I never saw a classroom like that before. I felt that the high school students in New York were very motivated. Every one had their own goal and they were all going for it. I felt I should work harder than now. Then we went to ‘PricewaterhouseCoopers World Headquarters' with the students from JKO. There, we listened to the stories of Japanese employees who work there about their experiences and why they came to NY. And I learned that it was important to start thinking about my future in my everyday life. I think I heard a lot of good stories there.
2.3 Friday
Today, we visited the United Nations. We had to pass a very severe security check to go inside. And it is said that only people who have ‘passion and a hope for peace' could go inside the building. We joined the tour there. There were 191 countries in the United Nations, and outside of the building there are 191 flags of countries, and one flag of the United Nations. We looked around and went in to various places such as the meeting rooms of the United Nations. It was much bigger than I thought from watching it on the news, which was very impressive for me.
After that, we went to the head office of junior achievement. We heard stories of the company members about their experiences, and we talked about our self a little. Then they took us around the office. The office space was partitioned for individuals, and it looked comfortable. By the look of it, I could feel everyone cared for each other and knew each other very well. I thought the atmosphere of the office was fantastic. I hope to work in an office with this type of atmosphere someday.
2.4 Saturday
Today we went to the American Museum of Natural History. There were many dinosaurs' bones, tools which ancient people were using, and tomb of a king, which I had never seen exhibited in a museum. Then we had lunch at a restaurant called ‘Oyster Bar' which was in the ‘Grand Central Terminal' station. We ate oyster there. It was my first time to eat oyster and I like it very much. It was delicious, but I felt a little bit strange to eat food well known in Japan while in America. We went shopping in the afternoon. In New York, there are only two weeks a year when you can buy clothes without tax, and this week was one of them. So we were very lucky. After shopping we had dinner at the restaurant called ‘Planet Hollywood'. There were handprints, pictures of famous people, and clothes used in movies. I thought people who like music and movies would love that place. Then we went to Empire State Building to see the view, but unfortunately the weather was bad, so it closed early. So, today was my last day in New York. I just got used to living here, so I was a little sad that I would have to leave so soon.
2.5 Sunday
Today we went to the Airport in the early morning. I was sad as the bus was going away from New York City. This visit to New York City had a lot of surprises from the beginning to the end. This whole week was like a dream for me, because too many things had happened. And I realized my lack of English because there were many times when I didn't understand what people were saying. So I should study English harder. I was very happy that I met and got to know a lot of friendly people through this stay in New York. I realized I should start to think about my future from now. I heard a lot of wonderful stories, and I experienced a lot of valuable things through this stay in New York. After all, I had a very good time in New York, and I want to work there and live in New York someday if I have a chance.
The buildings are too high・・・I felt all the views are different. I felt myself really very small on this land. All the building are wonderfully nice, the illumination is brilliant, and the whole city is like an entertainment. That was my first impression of New York.
I left Japan with having some knowledge about New York City and my destination. With enough knowledge, I might have had another point of view. But it seems to me that I was moved more purely because I knew only a little.
The most enjoyable visit during one-week-itinerary was the one to New York University. A student named Matthew, with a bright smile and nice character, who I was paired with, showed me around there. There were many facilities of NYU concerned all over the town. The whole town was just in the site of NYU. Matthew was trying to understand my broken and poor English. He had visited Japan three times and studied Japanese in some degree. He also knew Japanese fashion and animation characters so well that we spoke both in English and Japanese. (a lot of fun)
When I visited NYU, Matthew happened to have an economy lecture. I had a chance to observe it. I was so moved by the students eagerness, In Japan, some universities have chatting, sleeping, absent-minded students, I hear. On the other hand, in NYU, all the students seemed to be willing to be earnest, "I will follow them." I was much inspired. I also noticed that American students asked questions quite often, both in the university and broad casting center we visited next. In Japan, a student who asks a question is likely to be watched curiously. That means asking questions is thought to be something special, doesn't it? I think I found the biggest difference in asking questions.
We went to JKO High School on the second day. And it was regrettable that I couldn't understand what others were talking, just in the midst of "English shower". I felt so miserable and exhausted with my poorer English ability than I thought, that I wasn't able to communicate well with the high school student I got paired with. And the moment I felt "I can't", I could not help but give up communicating. I became rather silent without a smile. While my peer Japanese students enjoyed talking with their pair American students, I couldn't, and I was alone. Almost all the time my pair American student spent her time talking with her peer friends. However, when we were to say goodbye, I gave her a present from Japan. She was so delighted with it that I felt very happy to talk with her for the last several minutes.
I am naturally poor at chatting with others. So when there was a language barrier, I became kind of more withdrawn. I realized, at this moment, the most important thing is "sincerity", although the countries we live in are different. The Japanese students who participated this time have some English conversation ability, but not fluently. They were trying their best to understood. I've learned a lot from their attitudes as well.
Afterwards, we visited "PricewaterhouseCoopers". At first, I was very surprised that it has so many and splendid elevators. We were invited to a conference room on one of the highest floors, where we had a chance to listen to one of the executives and many other respectable workers. There were also several Japanese workers, whose impressive speeches in English were nothing but cool !. During the lunchtime, Mr.Ito and Mr. Asakawa sat next to us and enjoyed talking with us. To my relief, we spoke in Japanese. We didn't know anything about the company "PricewaterhouseCoopers". So they explained that it is one of the best four "inspection companies" n the U.S. I can't still figure out what it is actually like. At any rate, I understand it is a magnificent company with the huge office building and I really feel thankful for their sponsoring this project.
The visit to "Junior Achievement New York" was as impressive as that to NYU. Each of us was given a chance to make a self-introduction speech in front of numbers of American staff. I had discreetly consulted my pocket computerized dictionary and been waiting for the time with my heart beating. "This phrase might be humorous enough to get an outburst of laughter" saying to myself. And I made it. I had their good response. Then each of us was asked what dream we had. In my turn, after a long silence, I answered "an actress". I still feel blushed for that. Actually. I really had a good time making myself understood in English at last.
Finally I move on to talk about the main "Job Shadow". On that day, early in the morning, we left for CBS. To be on a TV program "Early Show", weather forecast corner, we had prepared a placard to introduce ourselves, "We are from Japan !!"That means we had been very excited. But on that very day, we were not feeling great somehow or other. We couldn't enjoy very much but barely stand holding a banner of Junior Achievement. However. I got so much excited when the main TV weather forecast personalities appeared in front of us. To be frank, I had been interested in journalism since my childhood, especially in announcers. I was fascinated by their existence. Unluckily we weren't able to ask them several questions we had thought over, because of short time. We listened to the male personality, who told us, " We are able to cultivate ourselves by learning various kinds of things through reading, listening, and so on." I could hardly follow his English. But he was such an excellent professional announcer that we really appreciated his speech profoundly. After that we did some studio tour rather than "Job Shadow". If only we had had enough time, we could have had much closer contact. I felt sorry we couldn't. There were no differences between the TV studios in U.S. and those in Japan. I had visited a TV studio in Japan, so I didn't find anything new to me. I really liked the way the staff explained kindly to us.
Now I'd like to talk about what impressed me most in the United Nations. It was the panel titled "INEQUALITY MATTERS" which showed the comparison of developed countries like Japan and developing countries. For instance, the morality rate of the children under five years old or less;; 0.3% in Sweden : Shierareorne 28.4% and so on. These figures broke my heart. I hear this year is the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. It might be a dream to make the world peace. But this is the dream to be achieved. We expect great success of the United Nations. As I hope to do something connected with dramas as my profession in the future, I received a precious fortune to have seen plenty of arts here. Before leaving Japan, I was so moved to find the itinerary list included the Broadway Musical. And there were so many signboards of Broadway Musical there. Each time I looked at the signs, I was looking forward to seeing it. We saw "Mamma Mia" in the Broadway. The story and the lines were so easy to understand that I enjoyed it very much. But the timing of laughter was much different. Sometimes I couldn't understand why American audience burst into a laughter. That was because of my lack of English ability or something else, I was wondering. As a high school student who studies vocal music at school, I will learn to sing so spontaneously like them in the Broadway.
I thought that Americans (New Yorkers) have the nature of being both cheerful and wild bilaterally. I thought that Japanese were very weak and mild as a race and as a nation. Compared with Americans, Japanese are inferior and I feel that Japanese are somewhat despised. So it might be difficult for Japanese to have equal relationship with America.; such as the terrible experience in the Second World War and nowadays the beef- import problem. This time, however, I never felt any inferiority as a Japanese walking down the street. On the contrary, I noticed that I had a lot of prejudice toward America. Although I cannot say it in a word because there is a historical background, the important thing is that each of us should stand on his or her own feet and have his or her own opinion and the way of thinking. If only I know myself, I will be accepted not only in America but also in any other part of the world.
I haven't decided yet which way I should take exactly in the future. But I'm sure that this experience of visiting America gave me another option of studying overseas. For the rest of my high school days, I'd like to open my mind, work on various kinds of things, and then I am eager to find something I can devote myself to. I feel very happy to have had my first experience abroad in such a decent way.
Finally I would like to express my thanks to all the Job Shadow members, especially the sponsor, American Airlines, Junior Achievement members both in New York and Japan, my fellow Japanese high school students. I sincerely appreciate all of you.
On the last day in January, I left my house for Narita airport to join“Job-shadow in New York”.On the way I got so nervous that I could eat almost nothing. Imagining the coming one-week in New York, fear was bigger than hope in my heart.
<First day in New York>
We visited the University of New York and had a campus tour with the students there. Fascinated with international communication, I planned to talk a lot and study hard. However, what I found was how fast they spoke. I apologized many times but still could not understand. I felt hesitant to ask them to say something again, and came to pretend to understand. Finally my enthusiasm all faded away. Caring about me gradually getting negative, the students who attended us kindly talked to me in their awkward Japanese. I really felt sorry for annoying them because of my poor English.
After the campus tour we attended 2 classes of university lectures. In the first class, I could feel the electric atmosphere in the room. Every student was serious. When the second class began, one of the students handed me a paper on which some questions like “What is your hobby?”or “Is this your first time in New York?”were written. This indirect communication helped me give fair answers since I did not have to worry about failing to hear what they said. For me who got depressed over the barrier of language, this kind of regard was very nice. Although it was on paper, I was able to have real communication for the first time in English.
<Second day in New York>
On the very day of the Job-shadow, we left our hotel early in morning for the CBS office. We joined a morning news program, “The Early Show”.In the cold wind, the staffs worked with speed and efficiency. We saw around the studio together with JKO high school students. The staffs were really energetic. I was surprised at this cheerfulness for I had expected a nervous and stressful atmosphere in the office. There was a tense atmosphere, but they seemed to enjoy it. I guess they could do so because they are really proud of their job. I thought I would like to have a job I can be proud of, and work as energetically as the staff there.
After leaving CBS, we visited JKO high school. The classes we saw would be too tough for me, but students there were seriously and aggressively working. I would like to follow their attitude of“for achieving my goal.” After seeing those students' attitude, I became more motivated that day and could talk to the students there a lot in English. I still do not have a clear goal for the future, but I have to prepare for the day I find it. For that, what is missing for me is aggressiveness. This is what I considered when I met the students in JKO. I would be able to find something new if I took some action, not just think in my heart. After visiting JKO high school, we went to PricewaterhouseCoopers and talked with some of the Japanese staff working there.
<Third day in New York>
Firstly we went to the headquarters of United Nations“I am standing at the place where the ambassadors from around the world gather.” I had never imagined I would have the chance to come to such a place. I think I was really lucky.
Next destination was Junior Achievement New York. With the help of this organization we could have this wonderful experience Job-shadow in New York and other programs. Thank you very much!
After the lunch we visited Metropolitan Museum, and after having dinner the main dish of that day was the Broadway musical “Mamma Mia!”.I could enjoy my first experience of a musical in its birthplace. This was amazing! The play was all in English, but I could understand enough and enjoyed it more than I had expected.
< Fourth day in New York>
Our final destination in New York was the Museum of Natural History. We saw fossils of dinosaurs and animals from around the world. I was impressed by the size of the dinosaurs. Why are we human beings so small?
I had had an experience in an overseas country, but it was not an English－speaking country. Even in that country, I could communicate with people by speaking both English and their native language. So this time, I had been optimistic because the people would speak what we learn at school. With a little body language, everything would go well. Soon after arriving in New York I found I was too optimistic. This time, I had to talk to and listen to native speakers. Even during the Job-shadow, I had trouble listening to their language.
However, a few days of staying in New York caused my listening skills to evolve. When I talked to a Japanese staff member in PricewaterhouseCoopers, I asked him “Is studying abroad the best way to improve one's English？. His answer was“If you stay in Japan, however hard you may study you must hear Japanese all around and the chance to speak English is limited. Studying abroad is the best way.” After all, what it takes is to get used to it. I am still exploring my future plan, but the experience in New York made me think I should be in a job of which I am proud. Before joining this program, I had looked for my future only from what I was interested in now. However, through this program I found that that way of thinking will narrow my vision. I have to see various kinds of jobs in different environments. By doing so, I think I will be able to spread my possibilities.
<1st Day>
This was our first day in New York. We were supposed to be at the hotel lobby at 8 that morning, but because I had jet lag, and I was anxious to be in New York, I woke up at around 4 o'clock and I couldn't sleep again. And so, my first day started very early.
We had breakfast at a restaurant next to our hotel. I wanted to say, “What a big portion of food!” The food portions in Japan are smaller than that of America. Everyone was very surprised to see their breakfast because there was a lot of food. We already missed having a Japanese breakfast. I think it was the first culture shock we had in New York.
After breakfast, we took the subway to go to New York University. The college was very big and filled with students. We met and partnered with students who were going to show us around the college. There were different kinds of buildings according to each faculty, just like in Japan. After that, we joined a class, Bate Alpha Psi Leaman Brother's Presentation. It was a class about banking. I seldom had trouble communicating with my partner while we were looking around the college but I did have trouble in understanding the class. They spoke so fast and what they were talking about was too difficult for me. But I noticed that almost every student present was listening to the class with great interest. There weren't enough seats for every student so some students had to stand or sit on the floor during the class. I thought college students in America take their studies seriously.
After we left New York University, we went to Ground Zero. The place where the Twin Towers used to stand looked just like a construction site. But I still felt sorry and sad for the people who were killed because of terrorism. There was a monument, which was solace for the families of those who had died on September 11th. It had a big crystal hung and fixed from the ceiling. Drops of water were falling from the ceiling, just like someone was crying. Our guide, Ms. Kuroki, said that the monument means “ we can't help crying. Our tears won't dry up.” In a large room, I could hear only the sound of drops falling into the basin below the crystal. I was moved to tears to see that monument. It was a very impressive and unforgettable moment for me.
<2nd Day>
This day was the Job Shadow day, which was the main reason we came to New York. First, we went to CBS and joined a TV show called “The Early Show”. Then we went into the CBS building and toured there. A CBS staff member explained to us what they do, what kind of machines they use, and how their schedules are arranged. They have very busy schedules, especially because they have a live show in the morning. I thought the reason they are doing great every day with their busy schedules is because they had good teamwork. Each person who worked there played an important role in the process of delivering a public service. I found that it is very important to have good teamwork to achieve something, as you can't do it by yourself. One of the newscasters told us, “I work at a television station but I would like to suggest that you read a lot of books. Reading is the most important thing to do.” I was surprised to hear that since I didn't expected him to tell us to read books. Because of that, I was so impressed by his words and learned that reading influences our career.
Next, we visited Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis High School. We made partners and looked around the school, just like we did at New York University. I was happy to see what American high school students do at school. The school was more multicultural than Japanese high schools. I thought it would be more interesting to have friends who came from different cultural backgrounds. I am happy that I was able to make American friends there.
Then we went to a company called “PricewaterhouseCoopers” with the JKO students. There, we had lunch with some Japanese staff who worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers. They told us which college they went to and what they majored in at college. Their speeches were interesting. I didn't know that there were those kinds of jobs in society and realized that I have a lot of career choices. I think I should take more time to consider about my career carefully and need to research about it. In their speeches, one of the staff members impressed me. He said that it was important to have an aim in whatever you do. Every staff member graduated from an American college, so they could speak English fluently and knew American society very well. I had a very good time talking with them.
<3rd Day>
First, we went to the United Nations building. Unfortunately, it was raining that day, so there weren't any national flags displayed. Still, I was excited to see the building that I have seen on TV. When we toured the UN building, a guide went with us. She looked Hispanic. I noticed that there were a lot of guides of different races. I thought it was appropriate for the UN because the UN represents countries from all over the world.
Next, we visited the Junior Achievement office. There were more people working there than I had expected. We had lunch together and talked about their careers, and what we wanted to be in the future. They also told us about American colleges. I became interested in going to an American college after graduating from a Japanese college. I had to say my opinion in English in front of everybody. It was the first time we had to make a speech by ourselves in front of others. I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn't put it into words. I felt that my English was not good enough and needed more study and practice. That experience made me want to study harder to improve my English skills.
Then we went to the Metropolitan Museum in the afternoon. There were so many works of arts. I think it wouldn't be possible to see them all, even if you had the whole day. The museum is that big.
< 4th day >
The 4th day was mostly a sightseeing and shopping day. We went to the American National History Museum. I saw some preserved animals and some fossils. It was fun looking at them. Then we went shopping in New York City. We went into one of the drugstores and there were so many candies. I was impressed by the wide selection. We shopped there for gifts and souvenirs. I bought some popcorn for my friends. They liked them because you can not get that much variety of popcorn in Japan.
Throughout the four days in New York, I have watched, heard, and learned a lot of things. I had many chances to speak English, and I was able to talk to people from other countries. I experienced American city life which is very different from Japan. I would not have been able to do these things if I hadn't been to New York. I am very happy to have the opportunity to be in the Job Shadow Program. I really had a good time and I'm sure what I've gained will help me have a better life in the future. Like I learned at PricewaterhouseCoopers, I will have an aim in studying, going to college, and working in the future. This program has made me realize that I would like to have a career in International Relations. I like to talk with people from different countries and I like to travel. I was able to achieve both of these on this program. Thus, I really appreciate Junior Achievement and American Airlines which contributed to this program. I will make good use of the experiences I have gained.
One week flied like an arrow. “I seem to be in Disneyland” expressed exactly what I felt in the United States of America. The participants of the program made self-introductions to each other at Narita Airport and boarded the airplane. I was sleeping during the flight. I woke up to find myself in the cool air in America after 11 hours later. It was very strange to travel such a long distance while I was sleeping. I said to myself, “Am I really in New York?” Then I was really excited about what would happen. We went to the immigration counter and I fell into the first crisis in America. Other nine members had finished the formalities. I handed my passport and entry form to the immigration officer, but he told me to write the entry form over again and stand in line. Other members went to another floor to receive their luggage. The line had become longer than before. I had no choice but to rewrite the entry form and stand in line. I was surrounded by tall foreign people. I was alone and sweating. However, while I was looking at a boy and his mother, I said to myself. “Why am I confused with foreigners? I am a foreigner, too”. I felt at home. I was able to pass through without any problem. I thought “I am Japanese and people except me as a foreigner.” This experience made me change greatly, though I made other members worried about me.
On the second day we visited New York University. First of all we took part in the campus tour. The student guide walked fast, it was difficult for me to follow him, but he was kind enough to buy me a cookie. I was able to speak with him though I was a little nervous. Next, I observed two classes. Some students replied with wrong answers, bur showed confidence to the lecturer in one class. One student was energetic when he answered the questions in the other class. Every student continued discussion until they were satisfied with their presentation. Though the facilities were not so different from those of Japanese universities, every student was positive. Such a university is a real university and this is the type I want to enter.
On the third day we visited Jacquiline Kennedy Onasis High School. We discussed with the students after the introduction. The students spoke about many things with confidence. American students seemed to be different from us, however when they began to tell jokes, I felt they were the same age as us.
There were many things I want to talk about, but it is impossible to talk everything that I experienced for that week. So I will write about breakfast, because I was impressed with American breakfast the best of all in the hotel. It was very very big and I was not able to eat them all. However we all began to get excited to take pictures of the breakfast. I was able to observe New Yorkers. They were having breakfast over conversation with relax. My image of New Yorker were those wearing suits and were walking looking at their watches. They seemed to put emphasis on their time. We can't see such a scene in Japan. It was very interesting.
After I came back to Japan I strongly thought that it is the best to see, listen, and talk directly, that is to say, experience and learn something. We can see everything on television now. We can feel we have seen directly what we have never seen. We should not make a limited line within our environment. I broadened my viewpoints after I have been to a huge country, America. I began to think I am also a foreigner at the airport in New York. It is important for us to make our own value of thinking through experiences even if they are common
I felt the good and bad points of Japan during the rush hour of the train on my way home. First of all, Japanese are more proper than American. Next it is safer in Japan than in America. However, Japanese people behave colder to each other than American. In this way I wan to make my own value of thinking and consider my future course with broader viewpoints than before.
Finally I very much appreciate the people gave this chance of participate in the study program. Thank you.
<January 31>
I will stay in New York for one week from today. I am full of both hopes and fears. It takes about five hours from my home in Kyoto to New Tokyo International Airport. When I arrived at Narita, there were already some members who would go to New York together spend both in the future. When I saw their face, my tears disappeared. Their faces showed their forward to looking attitude for the program. And, Mr. Nakamoto, President & COO of Junior Achievement Japan, said before we left Japan, "You must behave with consciousness as a student in Japan", "You must tell other students you had learnt something you returned home from the United States", and "You must make the use of the experience in job shadow In New York the future job." He encouraged is by saying. Don't limit your field of view. Try to do anything. Use your five senses fully. I am not confident to meet Mr. Nakamoto and Ms. Kuroki expectations. However, I thought that I had to try my best.
<January 31>
I will stay in New York for one week from today. I am full of both hopes and fears. It takes about five hours from my home in Kyoto to New Tokyo International Airport. When I arrived at Narita, there were already some members who would go to New York together spend both in the future. When I saw their face, my tears disappeared. Their faces showed their forward to looking attitude for the program. And, Mr. Nakamoto, President & COO of Junior Achievement Japan, said before we left Japan, "You must behave with consciousness as a student in Japan", "You must tell other students you had learnt something you returned home from the United States", and "You must make the use of the experience in job shadow In New York the future job." He encouraged is by saying. Don't limit your field of view. Try to do anything. Use your five senses fully. I am not confident to meet Mr. Nakamoto and Ms. Kuroki expectations. However, I thought that I had to try my best.
<February 1>
We visited New York University at AM10:30. Then, university students supported us. We joined the class with them, and they guided us to the campus and the town. In a word, this is a college shadow. I joined the lecture. In the lecture, bankers made a presentation of their business. I could not understand this class, because this class was full of technical terms. But university students were very serious. They asked many questions. Their attitude moved me. If I have English language skill more, I could have understood the class.
It was a digression, but a person came in a classroom and cleaned a trash box and a student put PET bottle on his table and drank water during a class, and it made me very surprised since we don't do these things in Japan. After the class, they had a pizza party in a classroom after a class. I thought that they lead a balanced life of study and play. By the way, the girl who is Chinese American guided me in the college. She has learned economics in Hong Kong. But, she came back to New York to further study. And, she learns at the university now. She was interested in Japanese culture. So, she asked me many questions. She was very positive and looked likely.
We went to “Ground zero” in the afternoon. Even if that big incident happened several years before, their traumatic experience; a wound of a heart of people may not still be healed. Under “tears of crystal glass”, there were sentences which was about those 11 people; their names, occupations, experience. If it hadn't happened on the day, how they would be? Not only we but also many people visited there that day. I thought about a feeling of the bereaved and the person who survived and remembered the four of the day, but I couldn't imagine how they really felt. New York is a very big city, so heartless people choose to attack it, but if welcomes any kind of person.<February 2>
We visited CBS, “The Early Show” in the early morning. We were waiting hopefully for our job shadow there. CBS canceled their order for our job shadow as a matter of convenience, but the producer and the caster gave talks to us on the broadcasting service, and we entered the room of monitor control. I knew the program is cooperated with many staffs.
In the afternoon, I visited Jacguline Kennedy Onasis High School. A Japan-U.S. high school student became a pair after having observed a class and did "a Japanese lesson". I paired with two girls of 17 years old. We practiced greeting "OHAYO(=Good morning).", they were cheerful and accepted me whom they met for the first time, and we became friend soon.
Then, I visited the company “PricewaterhouseCoopers” with Jacguline Kennedy Onasis High School's students. There are many Japanese employees at the company. We had together with 6 Japanese employees and talked about a lot of things. I had a change to talk with a Japanese woman worker. According to her, When she was young shi studied abroad, so she wanted to put her English speaking ability to work in business. Now, she has been working at the accounting section this company for 4 years, her job is so challenging that she really satisfy with her career. After talking with her, I wish I could have done job shadow at this company. I would like that someday Junior Achievement will make a plan to do job shadow under a Japanese woman working in New York.
<February 3>
We observed the United Nations Headquarters in the morning. We were not able to take the state that a national flag of each participation country streamed in wind disappointing for rain. The art object in front of the United Nations was the big image that a point of a pistol was tied up. However, it was transmitted through this to be a strong message to peace. A meeting room is very big. There was a deeply impressive thing when I thought whether discussion was considered to be it about world peace here.
At about the midday, we visited youth achievement headquarters New York. We come to New York, and it is the third day. I would speak it, and I was considerably upset about English whether I thought that we spent it so far and felt any kind of thing. I was able to do the self-introduction, but it is difficult to speak an opinion in English in a mass. Here, I keenly realized lack of one's English and wanted to learn more English from now on.
In the afternoon, I visited Metropolitan Art Museum. I looked forward to visiting here very much because it is one of the four most famous museum in the world. There were too many collections to match them all. However, those collections from all over the world fascinated me. What fascinated me the most was the dome shape ceiling. That night, we watched a musical, "Mamma Mia!" on Broadway. It was for more impressive than that I watched in Osaka. I was overjoyed.
<February 4>
We visited Natural History Museum of America in the morning. There I could see evolution of whole earth from natural things such as fossils and creatures to anthropology such as human culture and history. I was overwhelmed by skeletal preparations of a tyrannosaur. In addition, in a rose space center, we wanted to experience a black hole, but I could not enter for circumstances. However, I could buy ice cream of space food there.
We couldn't go up to the observation desk of the Empire State Building in weather circumstances, either. But the building looked up from its bottom was surely a symbol of New York
<February 5 >
In morning, we went to JFK Airport.
<February 6 >
3:45 p.m. Narita Airport, dissolution.
For instant one week, the thing I got in a job shadow was very big. First of all, the people who I met and talked with in New York are members of representative multiracial nation USA. Because they were group of people who came from each world countries, they talked to me without any hesitation and accepted me it. However, some Japanese are not friendly to foreigner and even remove them, probably because Japan is island country and consists of a single race. At this point, I think American people are help and trust each other regardless of race and religion because U.S.A. has a shorter history than Japan.
If there is an opportunity once again, I will try to observe working people carefully. I had attention to “work” itself. But in fact, I should have more attention on “the person”. People working in New York made me think that way.
Have I ever spent such a wonderful week in 17 years? Must be not. I'm really sure about it. Every second was new, every moment was like brilliant jewels, and all of them spoke something to me. No matter which beautiful word I use, or no matter how many words I use, I can never explain what I felt about them. But, I can say that this experience is certainly plus factor and it caused great revolution not only for my thought but also for my destiny. I really want to tell many people about my deep emotions and impressions, because this is too big to keep all in myself. So I want to share with you those emotions and impressions.
It was January 11th that I was notified to take part in the Job Shadow in New York. Not until our departure date did I get to sleep because of too much excitement.
On January 31st, the day I had been waiting for so much, I departed for NY. On the plane to Narita airport, my heart popped out with nervous. I was anxious that how excellent students would take part in this project and whether I could make myself understood. After all the members met, we introduced each other. We were all perfect strangers, so I thought it took place in a tense atmosphere. But actually it was held in a sociable atmosphere. Then I found their ability was so high. Mr. Nakamoto from Junior Achievement Japan greeted. His words were so impressive to me. He said “It is not lucky of you to be able to take part in this project. It is the result in which your life until now was reflected on being chosen this project. Please keep those things in your mind, and be conscious that you are delegates from Japanese students. I hope you will assimilate many things. After you go back to Japan, please return those things to hundreds of other students and societies.” His speech was on these contents. I've never met such a person with a large and have great eagerness like him.
About 13 hours long flight was not boring to me owing to a lively conversation. At the immigration formalities, we had a small happening that we were caught in a fingerprint check. However, we arrived in NY without incident, and went to hotel by a shuttle bus. I got a smack in the eyes by the scene from bus. I had been believed that the sky is dark at 7pm in the dead of winter. However I found my image came crashing about my ears. The car lights were strung out so long like a snake. The group of skyscrapers each of whose windows gave off the lights was too high to look up and made my neck hurt. I had never seen such a large size buildings and so many electric bulletin board gave off the lights bring about brightness. I doubted whether it was night. It had not been passed one hour before I became a captive of NY. I was excited at the thought of on and from the next day.
The bed of Algonquin Hotel was so good and I could get up feeling fine. We had breakfast at a cafe by the hotel. After that, we went to NY University. I was so confused with the difference of subway structure. Because I want to study law in the future, I chose a business law class. I had confidence in English, because I acquired the second grade of the step test when I was Junior High School and I had been to England and NZ.
However, my confidence was broken not within 5 minutes. I could hardly understand the class. It was so shocking. We went to Ground Zero with shock. At the first sight, I felt cold shivers running up and down my spine and that shock changed the meaning widely. That overwhelming scene robbed me of vitality in a twinkle. Without notice, tears felled up in my eyes. I thought over a lot of things. Why do people battle? Why can't people live together in friendship? Precisely, why do people exist?
The next day, we went to the CBS, which is the destination of Job Shadow. We met JKO High School students. We appeared on television (Morning Show). Our crazy voices were broadcasted through the winter cold air at the New Yorkers' elegant time. After that, we entered the CBS and listened to the speech of the assistance, caster, and compiler. Especially, the caster's speech was impressive to me. He told us intensely the significance of “reading”. He had misgivings about the decline of “reading”. Although he is a caster, namely, who informs news in image or sound, I felt he denied them in a sense. It was interesting to me. The CBS is a very big company and informs news to the world, so all of the staffs have a big responsibility. But I could see all of them were working happily. Probably, they are proud of their own job. I want to be like them. After we went out of JKO H.S, I went to Price Waterhouse Coopers with Karla who is a JKO student. She wants to be a journalist. We talked about the dreams of each other, young people of each country, and Sushi. We had lunch in the conference room. I had an opportunity of talking with a Japanese man. I told him that I had lost confidence in English. Then, he taught me that everyone cannot master English without studying abroad. I felt my anxiety about English fading away.
The next day, after we had breakfast, we went to the head office of U.N by bus. We could see an actual conference in a short time. It was a precious time for me. When I saw the exhibition corner of wars, I couldn't say anything. Why did people make weapons? We ate lunch in Junior Achievement N.Y. I was so nervous as I had to introduce myself in front of many New Yorkers. We took photographs with its staffs. After that, we went to Metropolitan museum. It was really big. I thought it was true that “If you want to see all of them, you must spend a week.” Of course, I checked masterpieces of Picasso, Gogh, Cezanne etc. Although I didn't have education of art, I felt they were great masterpieces. Especially, the Japanese exhibition moved me. Japanese parted with own old arts about a hundred years ago. When I saw them, I felt so happy. And ancient characters of Egypt made me stir. After we had dinner, we went to the theater of Broadway to see “MAMMA MIA!” It was such a hot stage that some spectators danced naturally. I thought that this stage was not relevant to English or Japanese. I felt like a dream.
The next day, we went to Natural History Museum and shopping. Feeling completely like a New Yorker, there were a lot of fresh discoveries as a result, the true value of enormous buildings, New Yorkers' warmth and businesslike, and so forth.
The next morning, we went to the JFK airport to return for Japan. I wanted to be there longer if I could. But we had to go. I parted from New York with a smile. “See you again, New York!!” I saw Manhattan getting smaller and smaller.
I experienced a lot of things in this way. I'm sure that these experiences I gained in New York during that one week will remain lives in my heart through my life. Perhaps, I'll understand all of these experiences' meanings and make the most of them in one year. Perhaps, I'll find other interpretation of them in ten years. Perhaps, I'll find another interpretation of them in fifty years. These are kinds of treasures which are always changing their shape, I think. I cannot possibly put my thanks into words to all of the people who gave me these great experiences.