I am all about being positive

Coming from Japan to Seattle has been a big step for me both academically and linguistically. Before coming to SPU, I scored low on my English language test and just this winter quarter I completed my English course. Ever since coming to Seattle Pacific I get reminded about how different learning the English language is back home in school versus the real deal of conversational English. At the beginning of this school year, when my roommate moved in it was a little difficult for us to understand each other and even though our communication has improved I still find myself getting frustrated at times for not being able to say in English all that I want to say. Other than this, my adjustment to a new country has been relatively smooth. I was expecting myself to be homesick all the time and struggling with cultural adjustment, however this is not the case. I found out that the culture in the U.S. is not as different as I expected so I was able to adjust easier in addition to having prior knowledge about western culture and having similar general beliefs. Because I am an international student I do feel that I get stereotyped as being shy, serious, and introverted. This does indeed make me feel foreign. The real me however, is creative, funny, and extraverted (in the sense that I am a people person). I am all about being positive and giving people the benefit of the doubt, and I am passionate about singing. My major in Global development fits me perfectly in my extraversion. I have visited multiple countries both for studying and pleasure including: Guam, Canada, Saipan, New Zealand, and Malaysia and being well traveled is not something I believe most people would expect from me. Even though I am not quite where I want to be I am striving towards continuing to improve my English to communicate with a lot of people beyond the difference of culture, as well as making people feel not lonely, but all together and happy. I am determined.