Schedule at a Glance Speaker Index Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 Room 9 Room 10 Room 11 Room 12 CAS Posters ASP Posters Special Events
I go to the Bush elementary school every Monday as a volunteer. Through this
experience, I have learned a lot, for example, about differences in cultures, values, and
the content of learning. I will explore these differences in education in my presentation.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
Communication differences between America and Japan are one of the cultural
differences I learned from this experience of being in the United States. I experienced a
little argument with my roommate because of communication and cultural differences.
In the United States, you have to be more direct when having a conversation. However,
in Japan, people understand what we expect from others from indirect communication. I
will present about my experience of different communication styles and the culture
behind these differences.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
Before coming to the US, I had an image of America: a lot of junk food, freedom, and a big country. Those images haven’t changed much since I actually came to America, but I also learned more meaningful things about American culture, and my feelings about American culture have completely changed from when I was in Japan. I will discuss one of these meaningful aspects of culture: difference in social life between Japan and the U.S. I will also use examples from living with my roommate.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I will discuss my experience teaching Japanese as a volunteer every week. Even though Japanese is my first language, I learned a lot that I didn’t know or realize and the difference between education in Japan and the U.S. through this class. If I was asked about grammar or details, I couldn’t answer because I speak Japanese with thinking so I didn’t notice and care about them. My presentation will discuss these educational differences and experiences.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
My characteristics(personality), behavior and customs changed by a new environment. Before I came here, I was a digital person such as playing video games every day and using my iPad for everything such as note taking. However, I’m an analogue person, such as knitting and taking notes on paper. That’s an interesting change for me. Also, I faced the gap between my ideal and reality and I understood my characteristics more deeply than when I lived in Japan in order to be in the new environment during this abroad program. Before I came here, I wanted to become an open person who is able to join a big group that is more than 4 people. That was my ideal, but I recently realized that I’m not able to become an open person because I’m an introverted person who can get energy from being alone.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
Through living with my roommate (and other experiences in the US), I found a lot of cultural differences, especially in terms of conversation. In Japan, we do not have a culture of small talk like America. Therefore, I did not know how to react to my roommate when she asked me “How are you doing?” or “How is it going?”. I was very surprised that my roommate even talked to the cash register clerk. I will present about these differences and the cultural reasons that they exist.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I will present about the different lifestyles between America and Japan through my study abroad experiences. I will compare different aspects of life in both countries and reflect on cultural differences. I will also find and present common points between America and Japan.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I think almost American people are very kind because I had a lot of experience that I couldn't have in Japan. For example, there are small conversation with people you know and don't know. It is very small communication like a 'How are you'. And then, they smile at me when pass each other. This is also done by people who don't know each other. I thought it was a cultural difference because these things can't experience in Japan.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I will discuss the culture shock that I experienced in the U.S. To do this, I will also research differences in culture, and how these play a role in the experience of culture shock. For example, I experienced a difference in table manners. I will explore how such differences relate to culture.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
When I came here, I was surprised that no one wore a mask. I think it shows us the difference in culture. On March 13th, the Japanese government announced lifting the mask mandate. However, about 90% of Japanese still wear a mask. Through my experience abroad, I felt the value that Americans respect individual opinions. They don’t care whether others wear a mask or not too much. On the contrary, the Japanese care what others think. They can’t take off a mask until a neighbor does. I think it comes from the value that the Japanese place importance on harmony.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I am going to talk about cultural differences, especially those related to daily life. Since coming to Willamette, I feel there are a lot of cultural differences between Japan and the US. For example, if a person sneezes, others often say “Bless you.” Japan doesn't have this habit. I will research the reasons for some common differences and discuss the culture behind them.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I will talk about the difference between Japanese communication culture and US communication culture. One thing I was really surprised about is differences in directness. In Japan, people are usually less direct, especially about likes or dislikes. However, in the US, people talk more directly about it, and they do not hide it. I will explore these differences in my presentation.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
People of all age use cash in Japan. But in America, more than half people doesn’t use cash. Americans prefer to use credit cards, debit cards, and electronic payment systems. I will explore this difference and how it relates to differences in culture.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
For my Capstone Project, I will explore about personal growth and identity exploration through study abroad experience. Through experiencing life in the U. S., I found a number of cultural differences and met a lot of people which affected my personal growth and identity exploration. I will compare life in Japan and life in The U.S., and how this study abroad experience changed me.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
While studying abroad in America, I felt strongly that I am a Japanese person. I found many differences between me and other people when I talk with my roommates, go shopping, and so on. I will compare my differences in identity and culture between Japan and the US. I hope to better understand myself and develop my identity through this exploration.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
Through this American Studies Program, I have realized a big difference between American and Japanese values. The biggest value difference is that Americans don’t hesitate to express their opinion to the public, especially in class and clubs. I will explore these differences and the culture behind them, in this presentation.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
For many years, I have studied under the Japanese style of educational philosophy, which means lectures basically do not have many discussions. In the US, at least at Willamette University, there are many discussions in class, and students talk actively. I will discuss how these cultural differences impact educational philosophy.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I am belonging to 3 sports clubs at Willamette. In these clubs, I must communicate with others in English and through these experiences, I have learned about differences in communication in difference scenarios of American life. In my presentation, I will compare the differences between daily conversation, formal communication, and communication in sports.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I would like to present about cultural difference related to self-expression based on my experience in Japan and during the study abroad. After my experience here in the US, my way of self-expression is changing. I realized I was afraid to give my opinion, while Americans do not hesitate to give their opinion in society, such as in class and clubs. I will explore this difference in my presentation.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
TBD
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program
I will present the difference in class styles between Japan and the US. When I came here, I was surprised about how American students talk a lot in class. Many classes have participation points, but I think it is not only participation points, but also a difference in culture. I will explore the differences between Japanese and American culture and how this impacts classroom culture.
Faculty Sponsor: Brent Amburgey
Discipline: American Studies Program