Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Week 5 question
This week we are writing our final paragraphs before we move on to essays. We are also working on developing more complex sentences with adjective clauses and phrases. Here's what I want you to comment on this week: Before you came to the United States, you probably had some impressions of Americans from the movies or from things you had read or heard. Now that you live here, tell us about one or two things that have surprised you. These would be things that are different from what you had expected.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Before my U.S. life, I thought I have a certain degree of knowledge about Americans. With the American dramas and movies, I could image the U.S. life that I should lead. I have heard the humor that Americans are more valued in the order of child, the handicapped, woman, pet, and man. During the eight months of my U.S. life, I felt that Americans really think much of the children. Fortunately, I also gained a real experience about how children are protected in the U.S. It happened several days later after I have moved in my home. One day morning, I saw a little girl crying with frightening at the side of the road nearby and some neighbors around her. On the road, a dead kitten that must have been run over lay in blood. Maybe, she was shocked at the horrible scene. Before long after one of the neighbors called 911, two patrol cars with four police and a fire truck with two firemen were arrived. That was my first surprise. In my country, it never can be an accident that the police and the firemen should come running. A series of their behaviors were admirable enough and to spare. A police stood in front of the girl to keep off the misery, and other police was smoothing the crying girl, while a fireman cleared away the dead body. The police went back after 30 more minutes of calming her down. I wondered why they even do that aside from other things. It was merely a trifle, and they could do anything instead of wasting time. However, my real amazement was the fact that the police gave the girl’s parents a call and worried about her safety in the afternoon. How is it possible? Indeed, this country is the heaven for children.
ReplyDeleteI heard so much about the United State is really a freedom and independent country. Everyone can do whatever they want, wear whatever they like, or talk whatever they think. They always be a unique person, always diferrent with the other one. Specially, students can talk with teachers what they think about the lessons or the way teachers teach, can show their own ideas with comfotable. In my country, students don't do that usually, because they think it doesn't respect their teacher. In additional, the way people wear clothes. They cann't wear to much diferrent with the other one, because the other will think they are so weird.
ReplyDeleteI knew already about in the US peole can show their love comfortably. But when I actually saw that, I am still suprised. I remember that, one day when I was on the bus to go to school, I saw a couple sat in front of me. They talked and smiled together. Then they kissed together. I was embarrassed about that. Of course, some people on the bus were,too and looked at them. I didn't look them anymore, and looked out the window of the bus. In my country, if people see someone else do that, they will think they are so weird, and the older think it's not so good.
I got many information about U.S. from a lot of films before I came to here. The information is totally different from my knowledge when I am living U.S. now. First of all, it is about medical treatment. I knew that it is family doctor's system in U.S.. A lot of people who live here have a family doctor to look after their health in all one's life. Family doctor is like a friend. However little diseases are,the doctor will help you to ease your pains. I think I am wrong after I came to U.S..Actually, I find that the people rarely sees the doctor and aleays buy medicines from drugstores. The doctors just tell you that you must rest and drink more water, even though you have paid very high medical fee. Take my cousin Bill. One day, his tongue had almost been broken, he felt aches that he could't stand and be unable to eat. The doctor just told him" take a break, the tongue has very strong restoring force ". Take another example about my friend, she fell down in a faint without any illnesses in a market. The staff who worked in the market called 911 and sent her to the hospital. The doctor just let her lie on the sickbed and wait her recovering. After she waked up, she received the bill for $4000. That experience made her very afraid of the medical treatment of U.S.. Second, it is about the downtow of U.S. In my impression, the downtow in the film like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles is populous. However, most cities of U.S. are separated a living area from merchant area. It is desolate in the downtow every day even on weekend. It is extraordinary difference between U.S. and my hometown.
ReplyDeleteAfter I arrived in America, I figured out and experienced many differences between America and the Korea. Before I came to America, I had vague apprehensions rather than expectations in relation with adjustment of America life because America is multi-racial and multi-cultural nation. Some time ago, after I finished smoking outside Bakery shop, I was looking for the ashtray, but I couldn't easily find the ashtray somewhere nearby. Therefore, instead of putting a cigarette butt in the ashtray, I carelessly throw a cigarette butt into the paper-made cup on the table inside Bakery shop, in which Coke remained. I instantaneously thought of the paper-made cup as a waste thrown away. It did'nt take a long time until I realized that I had committed an irreparable mistakes. Immediately after I throw away a cigarette butt, the owner of the paper-made cup approached to me and said to me with a smile countenance, " that's ok". I was embarrassed and blushed at his saying. Though that paper-made cup was not a waste thrown away, he gave me a smile with their eyes instead of getting angry with me. In addition, I also had a lots of experience that Americans treated me with kindness. Americans usually acted kindly toward persons with whom he mets. With above mentioned, Americans are very generous to the insignificant things. On the other hand, Ameicans seemed to be are very strict to the principle. Therefore, I come to have a idea that American power results from the strictness to the principle and generosity to insignificant things. For that reason, multi-races seem to live together peacefully in America.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen i arrived in the United States, a thing make me the most surprised is freedom. Everyone can do and say whatever they want. The students can argue with teachers or proffessors whatever they think about the lession such as they don't understand about the section in the lession, they can't ask the teachers or professors many time to understand clearly, if they think it's wrong, they can argue ,too. The teachers or professors always feel free and intersting when they are asked. In my country, just a few of young professor who studied in foreign country can feel free when they are asked or argued about some topics. Besides that, students cannot argue or ask many times about the topic which they don't understand clearly with the old professor who never studied abroad because the old professors think they are older and they must be right in any case. In addition, students worry they will be hated by professors if they always argue or ask about some problem many times.The second surprise is the pedestrians always be first. You must give up the road by stopping the car or motorbike if the pedestrians want to cross the street. I rarely hear the car horn when i cross the street slowly.That's opposite in my country. I really think USA is the country of freedom.
ReplyDeleteSince I have come the United States, there are a lot of things surprised me. For one thing, most of houses are made of woods, even apartments, how an apartment can stand a very high building. And I think it is not very safe, because maybe it is easy for a burglar to break into others’ room and especially, catch fire easily. In addition, the effect on sound insulation is not so good. I often heard the sound form pedestrian and cars. It’s very noisy. For the other, the mobile phone company gives people a cell phone as their gift for people register a phone number in the company, and according to your plan about register decides which kind of a cell phone you should get, so most of American have own phone and don’t worry about that their a cell phone will be stole. While having a lot of cell phones were stole in one day at the same time. At the last and not the least, I couldn’t find night marketing at night, but I think the main reason that is not so safe to go outside, and people even dare not to go out for just having few people in the street. So everyday, I just go to school, and then back home. Thus I feel very boring in American. Whereas, in China, a large number of people like to go shopping at night, it’s very interesting. Because people don’t need to worry about strong sunlight, and most importantly, people have a lot of free time after work. In short, there are a lot of things what is beyond my expected.
ReplyDeleteI had few ideas about US before I came here. Good thing is that US people are very freely like friendly. Actually there are more bad ideas than good ideas. Such as arrogant, everything is No.1 in the world. So I didn't expected about US. However, after I came here, my ideas was changed to good way. US people can wait for long time. For example, in the store some cashier was very slow but no one complain about that. Actually I was a little bit annoyed because I was busy. However they just waited with smile. They seems like that is nothing. I think that US people might know that the cashier tried to do his best. But I thought just myself. So after that, I begun to wait without a complain. I think that US people's plus side is optimism. They can think positive way. So I think we should learn about this.
ReplyDeleteBefore I came here, I saw Americans a lot on TV and Movies. Usually are they activity and free, and they can easily speak their own thinking. Also, most of American has their pride as an American, but do they criticize bluntly when they feel some things wrong. It was very impressions for me. While I have lived in here for about seven months, I experienced two more impression things. The first thing is that American people spend time with their family on weekend. Korean usually spends time with their friends or their sweet heart, but I think American is different. Every weekend, when I am in store, I see consumers who come to shop with family. Even though, there are clothes for only young guys or Hip-hop, most of customers come with their family. Also, one month ago, I went to event center in SJSU campus to see college basketball game. At that time, I could see people who come with their family. The other one is Americans are an easy and composed when they drive. Their drive style focuses on pedestrian. I was very surprised about it because it can't expect thing in Korea. Korean drive style is usually very aggressive, so, sometimes when I cross the road in Korea, I'm scary. If I slowly cross the road, some drivers sound a horn. However, while I have lived in here for seven months, I rarely hear that. Sometimes I think Korean should take two thing. Differnt thing that I expected before I came here is carpet culture. Before I came here, I saw many time American lives on carpet wearing shoes. I thought it was very comfortable and useful. However, since I live in here, my thinking was changed because it is very dirty, stingky and uncomfortable. Carpet is very difficult to clean. So, sometimes I miss my room in Korea.
ReplyDeleteBefore I came US, I expected US lots of things.
ReplyDeleteI thought that US has big city, high building and live spacious house. In addition US people always kindness, activity and tell their thinking directly. If I can't speak English, people would help for me. While I have lived in here, I experienced some impression things. The first thing is San Jose doesn't have lots of high buildings. When I arrived at San jose at first time, I was surprised. Because, San jose is looks like country. Korea has too many high building, so sometimes i felt dizziness. However, San jose doesn't have high building, except downtown. That is first thing different my expect. The second thing is some people very unkindness. Last semester, my OC teacher gave homework which interview in campus.
I approched one woman. She was smoke, but she can't help me and she told me she was very busy.
In addition, last december, when I came home,
one man speok to me what he want to spent time tonight with me, and asked me how much. I was very unpleasantness. In korea, I can't imagine the happen. Thus, I thought that some US people is not kindness. However, I enjoyed US life. Althouht I miss my family and friends.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteActually, before I came to the United States, I never thought about what America would be like. Now, I think America is a law-abiding country, especially for the traffic law. In America, there are stop signs every where. I think it is a smart and easy way for drivers to follow when they stop at a crossing. In addition, drivers always let the bicyclist or pedestrians pass first. It is a virtue to show courtesy to pedestrians crossing streets. However, there is no stop sign in Taiwan, the drivers have to follow a blinking yellow or red light at the crossing, but they don’t have to make a fully stop. Therefore, it is still dangerous, and pedestrians can’t cross the road first. I think the Taiwanese government should fine heavily to the driver who violate the traffic regulations. All in all, the one thing that surprised me the most is the law-abiding people and the drives always show courtesy to pedestrians.
ReplyDeleteBefore I came to America, I thought most American have a gun in their house for safety. I saw many stories about gun shot from mess media. In addition, I like American crime drama such as C.S.I. and S.V.U..It show that a lot of criminals use gun for hurt other people, but actually nobody has a gun except police. someone joked that American usually buy guns at the Walmart. I believed seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing is, generally i thought that usually american has blond hairs and blue eyes. However, I was wrong. A various race live in California, so I can see the brown hairs, black hairs, gray hairs. Just a few people have blond hairs. Moreover most people have light brown eyes. I had few preconceivied idea about US, but now I read lots of articles about breaking usual foregien senses. Even though i don't have enough knowledges, i could get rid of wrong ideal information as well as guns information. Thus, at least my ideal, and preconceiv have been changing very well even now.
Before I came here, I scared about Americans guys a little bit because their bodies are very big. But actually it is not big more than I thought. But they are still nice muscle. And they are very kind. I thought they are kind, but they are kind more than I thought. My English is very suck, but they tried to understand what I said. And they also tried to communicate with me friendly. When I was in Japan, I didn’t talk with foreigners, because I didn’t have a chance to talk them and I thought it is very difficult to be friends with foreigners. But now days, I want to communicate with them because I learned how much foreigners are going to be happy when I told to native. So I will do that.
ReplyDeleteWhen I watched American movies, I thought America is a rich country because I saw a lot of pretty houses and restaurants, and people always wear beautiful and fashionable clothes. However, I can see a lot of homeless and people who ask you for money. There were very nice and gentle men, but I have a bad experience. One day, I waited a bus near my house, one guy tried to talk with me. He asked me about my private things, and my cell phone number. I refused him because I felt nervous. Suddenly he touched my hand. I wanted to quit from him, but he followed me for a while. It was a so scaring memory that I can’t forget it. He was not a person who I saw in movie. After this time, I always listen a music in outside with earphone because I don’t want someone to talk with me like this. For me, America a is no more romantic and fantastic country.
ReplyDeleteBefore I came to United States, I thought life in United States is very exciting and convenient. However, my life in reality is totally different from my thought that is very boring and inconvenient. When I was in Korea, I used to see American movie. In that movie, America looks like very exciting place because people were drinking beer and hanging out with other people until late. However, in real life I can’t drink liquor in outside and even I can’t buy any of it after midnight. What is more, there was well organized transportation systems in U.S. so people can go anywhere by using public transportation. But in reality, I can’t go anywhere without my own car because of inconvenient and inefficient public transportation system in here. In addition, I need to be ready with some enough extra quarters to match correct bus fare every time and I think it is quite annoying and inefficient.
ReplyDeleteBefore I came to America, my impressions of American people were that they didn’t really care about elders. In Korea, the younger generation has a lot of respect to the older generation. An example would be if you were to ride the bus in Korea. If some young kids were riding on the bus, and then an elder or a sick person were to get on the bus. The young kids would give up their seat to let the elder or sick person sit down. But in America, I don’t think people do that because they don’t really care too much about the elders or even the sick. But through my experience of taking the buses here in America, I have seen people treat elders the same as they do in Korea. That is something that really surprised me living here in America.
ReplyDeleteHi. Before I came here, I had had some imaginations about California and U.S. from movies, TV or papers, but I didn’t expect few things. First, the variety of nations and races. I didn’t realize fact there are so many ethnic and religious minorities from all angles of the world and they coexist here together in peace and harmony (maybe not always it looks so idealistic, yet there are no ethnic conflicts on large scale). On the other hand, Poland is one of the most homogeneous countries in Europe, with over 98% of the population being of Polish origin. In addition, over 90% of the population declare themselves being of Roman-Catholic faith. Thus, diversity of California’s population is observable with naked eye. For example, above two months ago I passed my driver license exam and examiner was wearing clothes looked like pyjamas, and also he was speaking with heavy accent and he had a red dot on his forehead. There was also a man, maybe from Jamaica, who was looking like Bob Marley, but he didn’t smoke the joint. Second, Hollywood beauty versus reality. Where are these beautiful girls from Hollywood movies? Maybe my perception of beauty is different then other people, maybe I’m wrong, anyway I’ve seen in San Jose area many overweight looked girls (I said San Jose area because in San Francisco and Berkley situation looks better). Third, what’s the matter with American food? This food isn’t so good, for example I bought last week wheat bread and it tasted like rubber (The same is in case other products). Of course it is possible to buy better quality food, but it’s much more expensive. For instance, price of organic milk is close to $6, while non organic milk’s cost is approximately $3. In Poland I just go to the food story and buy milk and it taste like milk.
ReplyDelete