Living in another Country

Journal#2, Week 3 for Mira Karina

Living in another Country

            Living in another country is always to be my dream. My country is Indonesia. The first overseas country that I visit to live is Unites States of America, particularly Tempe in Arizona State. Living in Arizona for me is a great chance to learn more from other people. Here, in Arizona I learn American English and Culture Program (AECP) at Arizona State University for just around two months. I meet many people of almost all over the world. I have nice teachers and friends. I stay with nice and very kind American host family. Living in America will be the best experience for me to enrich my English proficiency and giving thank very much to God for all thing here. There are two things that I can tell about my experience in Arizona.

For American culture, there are several things that I am surprised of American people that I never know before. American people like to say ‘Thank You or Thanks’. It is impressive for me. For example, in the bus, when the passengers got off from the bus, they said ‘Thanks’ to the driver. It’s rarely in Indonesia, right? I thought American people were not good as that, but when I saw that, I was so impressed. In the bus, there was also special place for wheelchair people. The driver will help the person to get in to the bus. Another thing is people driving car allow pedestrian to cross the street before them. I rarely find it in Indonesia. One more thing that I can summarize from habit of American people (from buses that I take) is that they admit the freedom of someone but do not disturb other people’s freedom.

I met many Arabic people at the university. I was surprised. I never thought that many moeslems from Saudi Arabia and United Emirate Arab came to US to study. Many of them were rich. They were funded by their countries to study abroad. Oh my God, how lucky they were.

I also met many moeslems from Africa. Mostly, they were from Somalia. I had a female friend from Somalia. She moved to Arizona several years ago because of the civil war in Somalia. She said that most people in Somalia were Islam. I do not really know why they preferred to move to US. I met many moeslim Somalia in Tempe, even I had a neighbor from Somalia. The family was very rich here. I am still wondering why they chose US.

            Food is always my big problem when I am far from my house. I like only Indonesian food or at least Asian food. However, I start to eat Mexican food here because my host family is Mexican family.

In conclusion, living in another country will give me many benefits such as to know the good thing that I may apply in my country and to make me know the food of other country and try to like it.