My home stay（フォト＆エッセイコンクール入賞作品）

フォト＆エッセイコンクール入賞作品紹介

修学旅行でオーストラリアを訪れた中学生・高校生を対象に、昨年4月から12月にかけて実施された「第1回オーストラリア教育旅行フォト&エッセイコンクール」。今回は、ホストファミリーとの触れ合いを通して文化の違いを体感し、多くのことを学んだという英語の作品をご紹介します。

＜優秀賞＞「My home stay」
応募者：斎藤　駿さん（千葉県・市原中央高等学校2年）

I have learned many things by going to Australia. Even though this was my forth trip to Australia, I realized the huge cultural difference between Australia and Japan. I have learned many things on this trip, which can only be learned by doing a home stay.

My host father John was originally from New Zealand and he love to tell jokes. When I met him for the first time, I was overwhelmed by his accent and the speed he talks. I was a little scared of him but as soon as I get used to the atmosphere, I spent most of the time talking with John. He always made fun of me making mistake. It was a shame that I couldn't understand half of his jokes. And every time I looked confused he said, "Oh never mind. You don't get it." This was really shocking to me. I knew that he's not trying to be rude or anything but it really made me think of the cultural difference.

On my second last day at O'Donnel family, John's brother came to visit. John and his brother looked exactly the same which made me laugh. We both got used to each other instantly and I enjoyed the talk with John's brother and his family. When we were talking about religion in Japan, he suddenly asked me what I believe in. I said "I believe in nothing." Then he asked me, "Do you believe in god?" I knew he was Christian hesitated to answer because he looked so serious that if I tell a lie to him he would get real angry so I said "No." Then he started to give me a lecture of either god is there or not. How was the human made? By whom? Who made the world? How are you going to prove there's no god? "I don't know." I finally said. Then He looked really happy and said, "See? You can't prove that there is no god." This lecture was so confusing and too hard for me to understand, but I thought it was a good experience arguing with some who has another opinion, "I think I'll think it over night" I finally said.

But the only thing that I thought there was no difference between the countries was the kids. Australian kids smiles in the totally same way as Japanese kids do. I thought that kids do smile the same way all over the world.

This home stay had been a priceless experience for me, and I almost cried on my last supper at O'Donnels family. I felt lonely because I might not meet these people again in my life. Some day I hope to see them and I truly miss them all.