My Childhood Experience

My Childhood Experience

My family had to move around Japan every two or three years because of my father’s work.  He works at an airport, and working in many different places is one of his duties.  When I was eight (in the second grade of elementary school), my family was forced to transfer from Osaka to Amami islands, in Kagoshima prefecture, Japan.  I had already experienced living in a new place, but it was my first time to go to a different school.  We could see clear-blue sea, unique plants and animals, and beautiful sunsets.  It was the best place for sightseeing, but it was hard to live there.

 

Amami is one of the areas of Japan, but it was like a foreign country.  I experienced a lot of culture shock.  Therefore, I was sick for two weeks as soon as I started to go to my new school.  As you know, the first few weeks are the most important time to make new friends when they are a new student, but I completely missed the chance.  In addition, some students came from Kagoshima or other prefectures in Kyushu, but I was the only student from Osaka in the school.  So, if I just walked at the school, most students, in particular the higher grade students could recognize me.  One day, when I went to a supermarket a senior student found me, and she said to me, “You came from Osaka didn’t you?”  Her voice was bigger than I imagined before, and her attitude was too rude to talk in a public space.  I did not know what my wrong was.  At same time, I thought it was not my decision.  I did not want to live there.

 

While I lived in Amami I was surprised at a lot of the differences between big city and island such as life style and academic ability, and I had uncomfortable situations many times.  I felt everything seemed to get worse.  I clearly remember that I struggled to understand their culture and adjust to it at that time.  As a school rule, bringing a water bottle from home was prohibited, and students drank running water directly from a tap.  It was incredible for me. 

 

Two years later, we left Amami islands.  I had those bad experiences that I do not want to remember.  On the other hand, I made a best friend who understood everything about me.  Now, when I remember the episode I think I have a much more open-minded to everything such as people, culture and all differences through this experience.  I would not have my present character without this happening.