One-day experience at an American high school [real classroom scene].

Experiencing American High School Life! A realistic one-day school experience

I had the opportunity to experience high school life in the U.S. by enrolling in an American high school for a day. Being my first time at an overseas school, I walked through the school gate with mixed feelings of anticipation and anxiety.

The first thing that surprised me was that the school building is very spacious and has a wide variety of facilities. Not only classrooms, but also a gymnasium, cafeteria, library, etc., gave me the impression that the scale of the school was different from that of Japanese high schools. The students all came to school in their own unique attire, showing that they value their own individuality.

In class, I was impressed by the students' willingness to speak up and express their opinions. The teachers are attentive to each student, and there is active two-way communication. Group discussions and project-based learning, which are rarely seen in Japan, were also conducted, emphasizing the students' attitude of learning from each other.

At lunchtime, we took our meals in the cafeteria. The menu was varied, and the ability to choose one's favorite meal was very appealing. The students were also enjoying conversation with their friends as they ate, and the scene was very friendly.

After school, students also participated in club activities. There are a wide variety of club activities, from sports to cultural, and students are free to choose and participate according to their own interests. I thought this kind of environment was a very good opportunity for each student to develop his or her individuality and talents.

What I felt through the one-day trial enrollment was that although the educational style and culture are different from those in Japan, there are many commonalities among them. In the U.S., independence and respect for individuality are emphasized, while in Japan, cooperation and basic knowledge are emphasized. Each has its own advantages, and I hope that this experience will help me to see things from a new perspective in Japan as well. This was a valuable experience that I will never forget.

Class Begins! What it feels like to be in an American classroom

When I first stepped into an American classroom, I was surprised by the atmosphere. Unlike Japanese schools, the classrooms seemed very casual and open. Each student sat in his or her own seat, but the desks and chairs were often arranged with a high degree of freedom to facilitate group discussions.

Once classes began, I sensed a difference in the distance between the teacher and the students. In the U.S., the teacher acts as a facilitator, and the students themselves are expected to actively participate in class. There is a culture of active questioning and exchange of opinions, and each student's voice is valued. Because of this, students seemed to have little resistance to expressing their ideas and seemed to express their opinions with confidence.

In addition, class content is often practical, and there seems to be a greater emphasis on critical thinking than in Japan. For example, in history classes, students are expected to have their own interpretations and opinions about the events, rather than simply memorizing facts. I felt that this style of education leads to independent learning by the students themselves.

Another aspect that impressed me was the attention to diversity. My classmates come from a variety of backgrounds, and each has the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. By growing up in this environment, students naturally develop an understanding of diversity and flexibility.

In this way, American classrooms have different attractions from those in Japan, such as a student-centered teaching style and consideration for diversity. Each has its own advantages, and I believe that we can learn a great deal from this experience.

What's really going on at lunchtime? Surprises in the Cafeteria

Lunch time in American high schools is very different from that in Japanese schools. First, there is a large cafeteria, called a cafeteria, where a wide variety of meals are served. Students can choose from a diverse menu that includes pizza, hamburgers, salad bars, and more, allowing them to freely choose what they want to eat.

Also, while the school lunch system is common in Japan, many students in the U.S. bring their own lunch. For this reason, some students can be seen bringing their own lunch boxes to the cafeteria. To my surprise, vending machines and snack bars are also available for students to purchase snacks and drinks.

At lunch time, students gather around the table with their friends, talking and laughing loudly. The atmosphere is very lively, in contrast to the quiet school lunch time in Japan. Seating fights can also be seen. Popular seats fill up quickly, so students may have to act early to get a seat.

One of the more interesting aspects of the program is that you will also see scenes that are unique to a multicultural society. For example, one can see people from diverse backgrounds coexisting together, such as students who avoid certain foods for religious reasons or who choose vegetarian menus. This environment seems to naturally instill in students an understanding and respect for others.

In this way, lunch time spent at an American high school is a unique cultural experience that differs from that in Japan. Interaction with people from different backgrounds and with different values is a valuable opportunity to learn new perspectives and ways of thinking. There are many insights to be gained from this experience, and it is well worth a try.

Participation in club activities! How to spend time after school

Through a one-day experience at an American high school, I had the opportunity to participate in after-school club activities. In American high schools, club activities are very active and there is a wide variety of options. From sports to cultural activities, there is a great variety. On the day I attended, I observed the basketball team practice, and then I also met the drama club.

First of all, the basketball team's practice was very energetic. It was impressive to see the coaches and students working as one, and I felt a different kind of energy than in Japan. I was particularly impressed by the way the students encouraged each other to work hard. The facilities were also well-equipped, with full-scale practices taking place in a large gymnasium.

At the theater club, which I visited next, I was able to see students independently writing scripts and teaching acting. This independence may be a characteristic of the American educational system. Each student had his or her own role and opinion, and the atmosphere was one of mutual respect for each different individuality.

After school, many students head off to their areas of interest or favorite activities. This environment seems to lead to independent learning and growth by the students themselves. In Japan, club activities are closely connected to school life, but in the U.S., I got the impression that students have more freedom and emphasis is placed on spontaneity.

This experience made me realize that school life in Japan and the U.S., with their different cultural backgrounds and educational policies, have their own merits. However, what they all have in common is that it is important to create an environment where students can grow while enjoying themselves. This valuable experience will bring a new perspective and way of thinking to your daily life.

Cultural Differences! Communication among students

When I went to an American high school for a one-day trial enrollment, I was particularly impressed by the communication among the students. Compared to Japanese schools, American students seemed very friendly and open. Many of the students were easy to talk to even when meeting for the first time, and I was able to get to know them immediately.

Also, there seemed to be little resistance to speaking up in class, with many students actively raising their hands to express their opinions and ask questions. The teachers also welcomed this and showed respect for each student's opinion. I feel that this kind of environment leads to a culture that values students' own ideas and opinions.

What was even more surprising was the level of cooperation in group activities and project work. Students with different backgrounds and interests came together to solve problems while leveraging their individual strengths. This experience seemed to naturally foster an understanding of diversity and a sense of cooperation.

During recess and lunch time, students were relaxed and spent time together, laughing among friends and enjoying the company of new friends. On the other hand, I also sensed a culture of valuing "individuality," which is not often seen in Japan, and quiet time spent alone seemed to be respected.

Through this one-day experience, I learned a lot about the educational environment that comes from a different communication style and cultural background than in Japan. In the U.S., it seems that students develop the ability to build smooth relationships with others while respecting their own ideas and individuality. This experience was a valuable opportunity for me to consider not only the differences between Japan and the U.S., but also the advantages of each.

Comparison of education in the U.S. and Japan after the one-day experience

After my one-day experience at an American high school, I felt many things about the differences between the Japanese and American educational systems and cultures. First of all, I had the impression that American schools have a very high degree of freedom compared to Japan. Students often actively expressed their opinions, and the distance between teachers and students seemed to be relatively close. This kind of environment seems to help each student develop the ability to think for himself/herself and express himself/herself.

There are also differences in class content. In the U.S., discussion style and group work are often incorporated, and students have plenty of opportunities to exchange opinions with each other. I thought this style was very effective in fostering students' communication and teamwork skills. On the other hand, in Japan, the lecture style is the mainstream, which is suitable for knowledge acquisition, but may limit opportunities for students to speak up on their own.

Furthermore, I also felt cultural differences in everyday life such as lunch time. In the U.S., students from diverse backgrounds try to understand each other, creating an atmosphere unique to a multicultural society. In Japan, on the other hand, the relatively homogeneous group tends to emphasize togetherness and cooperation.

In general, we can say that each different educational style has its own advantages and disadvantages. Each country's unique cultural backgrounds and social structures have shaped their educational systems, and learning from each other may lead to the creation of better educational environments. This experience was a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of both Japan and the United States.