皆様、初めまして、小西ゼミ4回生の村上裕基です。
本日は小西ゼミのブログをお読み頂きありがとうございます。
今年の８月から年末まで、交換留学でEmory大学で学んでおり、今回は私の交換留学について書いていきます。
卒業直前に交換留学。というのも、本来は３回生で豪州に行く予定でしたが、コロナの関係で渡航不可となり、１年後の再挑戦となったためです。ただ、このような再挑戦の機会を与えていただいた大学、状況が変動する中、支援を続けていただいた小西教授、同じ困難の中を支えあったゼミの仲間には心から感謝します。
さて、皆様、Emory大学をご存じですか？
実は日本ではあまり知名度が高くなく、キャンパスでもまだ日本から来た学生に出会っていません。ただ、アメリカではHidden Iviesと呼ばれる名門大学の一つで、優秀な学生が集まっており、アジアからも中国、韓国、シンガポールの留学生は多く在籍しています。刺激溢れる毎日です。
まず、授業についてですが、私は政治系を中心に４科目受講しています。中でも印象的なのはFoundation of American Democracyです。この授業は講師と学生の議論が中心になります。まるで「サンデル教授の白熱教室」のような展開ですが、学生側はたったの20人。それも優秀なnativeの学生たち。はい、ちょっと冷たい汗が出てきますね。。。そういった環境の中、最初は戸惑ったものの、徐々に積極的に意見を発信できるようになってきました。その後、意見交換を通じて議論を深めることの重要さに気づき、「傾聴」の価値を学ぶことに繋がりました。努力と学びの繰り返しです。
次に学校の設備、サービスですが、私立大学ということもあり、大変充実しています。図書館は重厚感溢れる建物も魅力ですが、有料の論文にアクセスしやすい環境は研究の際に助かります。また、新築の学生ホールにある食堂には毎日お世話になっています。アメリカの食事はまずいと聞いていたのですが、野菜もしっかり取れ、全く心配の必要はありません。留学生への学生メンター、レポートの英文チェック支援のWriting Centerなども整っています。唯一のネックは高額な授業料で、通常の留学では半期で27千ドル（約４百万円）。皆さん、交換留学に是非挑戦して下さい。
最後に寮と仲間についてです。今、キャンパス内の寮の二人部屋でシンガポールから来たルームメイトと共同生活です。キャンパスの敷地から出るのは２週間に一度くらいですかね。キャンパスが充実しすぎているのも問題です。
さて、元々寮は個室を希望して申し込んでいたのですが、相部屋しか空いていないとの連絡を受けた際は少々落胆しました。しかし、実際に外国人学生と相部屋で生活すると、面倒な部分も無いとは言いませんが、生活を助け合う仲間がいること。英語で毎日同じ相手と話すことで身につくものは大きいです。また、今回、大学でfraternityという有志団体に入会しました。米国の大学ではこのような有志団体が多く存在するのですが、毎週寮のラウンジに集まっていろいろな話をしたり、在学中だけではなく、通常は卒業後も交流を続ける団体です。ここでも同じメンバーと話を続けることで、おそらく８割は与太話ですが、たまには真面目に政治・経済の話をしたり、各国の就職事情や給料の話もします。こういった生活を通じ、自分の頭の中の国境のハードルが下がってきたことを実感しています。
日々の大学の授業への対応、帰国後の院試の準備、仲間との活動と、正直お腹いっぱいの状態で、海外生活への適応の悩み、新生活への戸惑いは最初の２週間程度でどこかに行ってしまいました。もしかしたら、これが成長なのかもしれません。
ブログを最後まで、お読み頂いて、ありがとうございます。
Please to meet you, everyone. My name is Yuki Murakami. I am a senior student of the Konishi seminar. Thank you for reading the blog of the Konishi seminar.
Currently, I am in Atlanta, USA.
I am studying at Emory University as an exchange student from August to the end of this year.
I will write about my experience of the exchange program in America.
I am studying at Emory University as an exchange student just before graduation. Originally, I was scheduled to go to Australia for the exchange program in my junior year. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to travel there due to the Corona crisis. Thus, I had to retry the exchange program one year later. However, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to the university for giving me this opportunity to try again, to Professor Konishi for her continued support amidst difficult situations, and to my fellow seminar students who supported each other through the same difficulties.
Now, everyone, have you heard of Emory University?
Actually, it is not so well known in Japan, and I have not yet met any students from Japan on campus. However, it is one of the prestigious universities called Hidden Ivies in the U.S. and attracts excellent students. There are many international students from all over the world. There is also an international student from Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Singapore. Every day is full of stimulation in the exchange program.
Regarding classes, I am taking four courses, mainly in political science. The most impressive course is Foundation of American Democracy. This class is based on discussions between the instructor and students. It is like "Professor Sandel's White Classroom," but there are only 20 students in the class. And they are excellent NATIVE students. Yes, you are starting to get sweat. In such an environment, I was at loss at first place but gradually began to be able to express my opinions in class. Later, I realized the importance of deepening discussions through the exchange of opinions, which led me to learn the value of "listening. It is a repetition of effort and learning.
The school's facilities and services are well-equipped, as it is a private university. The library is attractive with its stately building, but the easy access to paid academic papers is helpful for research and study. The cafeteria in the newly built student hall is a great place to eat every day. I had heard that the food in the U.S. was terrible, but I have no need to worry at all because I can get a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits. There is also a student mentor for international students and a Writing Center to help students check the English of their reports. The only concern is the high tuition fee, which is $27,000 (about 4 million yen) for a half year of regular study abroad. I encourage everyone to try the exchange program.
Finally, I would like to talk about the dorms and fellow students. I am currently living in a double room in a dormitory on campus with a roommate from Singapore. I leave the campus grounds once in two weeks. The problem is that the campus is too well-equipped.
Originally, I had applied for a private room in the dormitory, but it was a little disappointing when I was informed that only shared rooms were available. Although there were some troublesome parts, I had friends who helped each other in daily life. But in reality, I found it meaningful to learn how to communicate in English with the same person every day when I shared a room with international students. Many things could be acquired by talking to the same person in English every day. I also joined a volunteer organization called "fraternity" at the university. Many volunteer groups like this exist at U.S. universities. They meet weekly in the lounge of the dormitory to talk about various topics and usually continue to interact not only while in school but also after graduation. We continue to talk with the same members, approximately 80% of which is the casual topic, but occasionally we talk seriously about politics and economics, and we also discuss job situations and salaries in various countries. Through this kind of life, I feel that the hurdles of international borders in my mind have been lowered.
I am honestly full of myself with dealing with daily university classes, preparing for the graduate school examinations after returning home, and activities with my fellow students, and my worries about adjusting to life abroad and confusion about my new life went away after the first two weeks or so. Perhaps, this is growth.
Thank you for reading my blog to the end.
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