It is election day today in the United States, time to choose a new president! So for this blog, you can choose which question you want to write about (1 or 2):
1) What do you think about the American election process? Any thoughts or questions about the way we choose our leader? How is it similar to or different from the way a leader is chosen in your country?
2) Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult choice. What was the choice? What did you decide to do? How did you decide?
This blog comment will be due next Tuesday, 11/13.
I gonna write number 2. It was very difficult time to decide whether I go abroad to study or not. About 1 year ago, I was a junior student of my home university. In Japan, junior students usually start job huntting from December. I was not about to do job hunnting because I was about to take a teacher employment examination in July (4 months ago)instead of job hunnting. But I was distressed about my future since I had wanted to study abroad during going to school since I entered my university. However, I thought "it is too late to study abroad. I have to take a teacher's exam or I have to find a job." My friends started to do job huntting. I was hasty because I did nothing for my future. Actually I'm in United States to study abroad. Studying abroad involved risks for me, for example, I have to postpone graduating from my university for 1 year. In other words, I will not able to graduate from university with my friends(comtemporaries of me )and it should take 5 years until graduating from university. I discussed my future with my family. My family supported me and my family said "You can do what you wanna". I decided to study abroad thanks to my family. It must be difficult to decide choice of my ( or our ) next step. It made me suffering at that time. After all, I am satisfied that I'm here. It was cerrect choice to study abroad instead of job huntting, I think.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you feel now like you made the right decision! I think those first big decisions you make (ie: during and after college)are really life changing because they can seem kind of scary at the time. Ultimately, even though you will not graduate with your classmates, it is only one extra year out of your whole life, and the experience will stay with you forever. I think in the USA, very few students actually graduate from college after exactly 4 years - most take a bit longer for one reason or another.
DeleteRe: Mina’s Post
DeleteYou made very difficult decision!! In Japan, it is not so usual to graduate from college after more than 4 years. But, I think, this experience will bring you a lot of benefits. And as Lee Ann commented above, these benefits are beside you forever!! I want ask you, if your family stopped you going abroad, how did you do?? Did you give up going to abroad?? Was the advice from your family the reason why you decided to come here?? Actually, I also ask my family to give some advice for me to make my decision because they know about me and about life better than me. Anyway, I hope you get a lot of benefit from this experience.
Answer to 1) I support the process of American president election because people choose the president directly. Actually, there are electors between people and candidates, but substantially, people choice the next president. On the other hand, people can't select the prime minister in Japan. People choose only one Lower House, a one of the two Diets, representative from their own areas every four years. 480 politicians are selected from 47 prefectures and the biggest party is decided. this election is like the election of House of Representatives. After the election, politicians select the prime minister and in almost every situation, the prime minister is the head of the biggest party. The system of election is complex and there is a long distance between people and prime minister.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the difference with two systems might cause the difference how interest people have. The students in the US are interested in the election. For example, there were 20 students at TV lounge in my dorm, and they were watching the CNN news program. However, students in Japan generally don't go to vote because they are hardly interested in the election, and they don't understand the the system of election. In fact, the low voting rate in young people is reported by some politicians. I think it is VERY important for students to go to vote because election decide their future. I want to tell my friends in Japan the custom of American students, and encourage them to vote.
I think The Election Day was really special day per four year in United States. When I was 18 years old, Barack Obama was the first President of United States as an African American. I was impressed because his speeces were moving and easy to understand for me. To tell the truth, I'm happy that he elected the United States's President again. Many American students interested in the Election. I was surprised at it because Japanese especially young people are not interested in not only an election but politics. In japan, a Prime Minister is often changed about one person per a year? Umbeliebable! Citizen in Japan cannot choose a Prime Minister directly, that's why they cannot think how importaint politics are.
DeleteAnyway, I am happy to be here in Election year! It is a great thing for us, Genki!!!
The Japanese system is a parliamentary democracy, isn't it? This would be like Britain and Canada. I can see some advantages to having the politicians choose the prime minister, since they are presumably more educated about the personalities and political issues at stake. On the other hand, that does not always mean they will make the best decisions for the people. I like how the American system allows the public to express their choice by voting; on the other hand, in American, people often vote for the candidate who "looks" best from the advertising without knowing very much about his record. I guess both systems have pros and cons.
DeleteI answer to 1). I went to the voting place with my frinds.
ReplyDeleteAt first, I was surprised by the "Ballot issues". It's strange for me, I hear that these issues depends on the town. But I think it shows the spirit of indipendence, which is one of important characteristic of US.
Secondly, I was surprised by the check system for fair voting. I saw that each Republican and Democrat set the check person every voting place for checking how's going the vote.
Finaly, I was surprised by the difference of the elector's consciousness. I asked my friend that you think that it is unfair that MT and other big state have same number in senator. But he said I don't think so, it is fair, because we have same power in senate, but in house it depends on population.
These three point cannot find in Japan, so I think I can get good experience for my thinking.
It sounds like you really got to see the voting process in action. It is common to vote on ballot issues every year or two (ie: should we raise property taxes to help pay for schools?). We often see our friends and neighbors when we go to vote since many of them volunteer to help with the election at the local polls. Whether we are republicans or democrats, we really want everyone to vote so that the choice will represent the will of the people as much as possible.
DeleteI would like to write about number2. I had make a difficult choice whether I go to study abroad or keep studying at my home universiry in Japan. In my home university I am a junior student. And I belonged to a club which make a cultural festival. My home university`s cultural festival hold in Novembar every year. The numbers of this club spent one year prepareing for it. Moreover, junior students take the lead at the head of the club. It means that I was a menber of heads. "If I go to study abroad, I can`t prepare for it. And I give trouble to all members." I was worried aboout it. So I was wondering whether I go or not. But I couldn`t give up my dream that I want to improve my skill and communicate with many people. One day I consulted with my friend who was a head of my bureau. I told her about my thinking. And she said " You can leave everything to me. I want you to do what you really want to." This word pushed me to go to study abord. Then, I talked my decision not only her but also all members of the club. And everyone understood it and supported me. I had no word to express my gratitude. Talking to everyone helped me to decide difficult choice.
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DeleteUltimately, I think studying abroad will have a greater benefit in your life than taking part in the cultural festival (since you had to choose), but I admire your sense of responsibility to the other club members. You were thoughtful and considerate to consult them, and they were good friends to support you in your international experience.
DeleteHi Karin. I can understand what you felt. Actually, I experienced the same thing before I come here. I belonged to a club too, and I was manager, so when I decided to go study abroad, I worried about my club because if I disappear, nobody can take care of my teammates. However, when I told my teammates to go study abroad, they smiled and said “If you afford to go abroad, you have to go. Never give up, we cheer you.” I remembered I was so happy. We are in the same situation now, so we can cooperate each other, and we have to do our best in America!
DeleteHey Karin. It seemed be hard to make your choice of studying at UMT, but your friends in the teams helped you go to the US. However,it is more important to think by yourself because only you do have the right to coordinate your life, so you are a brave student! I sincerely hope you achieve your aims and you play an active part in your club again. Sorry, I'd like to turn to my story. When I worry about that I go to study here, I also ask my friends, so I thank everyone for giving advice to me and I want to live up to their expectations.
ReplyDeleteI’d like to talk about 1. I agree with American way to choose the leader because the citizens can elect the leader. It means that American people have to carefully choose the one because their choices have a big influence on their lives. They are responsible for electing the one. That’s why they are really interested in the politics, I think. However, Japanese people can’t choose the prime minister but only politicians do it. The citizens aren’t responsible for choosing the one, so not most people have a lot of interest in the politics. In addition, if the prime minister makes a mistake, the people blame him for it because they think that they aren’t responsible for politics. So, Japanese government should change the Japanese way to elect into the way like American. In doing so, we will have an interest in politics and have a responsibility for it. However, I have a question. Why does the American government take the way that the candidate for the president gets all votes in a state when the one win in the state? It’s confusing. Because of the way, Gore, a candidate of the Democratic Party, lost in the election of 2000. I think it’s not good.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that it is confusing! It is called the electoral college, and it is a historical holdover from the days when the USA was a young country. 200+ years ago, transportation and communications were very primitive, but the US, even at that time, was a big country. People who lived far from the cities would choose delegates (electors) to represent them and cast their votes for them. At least, I think that is how the system developed. Many Americans would agree with you that it does not make much sense in modern times and should be changed.
DeleteHello everyone. I would like to write about number2. There were several difficult choices so far. The most difficult choice was which junior high school I go to after graduating elementary school. My parents always told me that I should go to private school. On the other hand I didn’t want to go private school because club activity is not active in private school. In addition the private school is very far from my house, so I have to get up so early. Moreover I really wanted go to same junior high school with my childhood friends. Finally I decided to go to public junior high school. I don’t think my decision was wrong. I’m sure that my decision was totally collect. I convinced my parents to allow me to go to public school, and finally my parents gave up. In junior high school days I spent really good time with friends, I hardly studied though. Instead of studying, I had been adsorbed in basketball. If I followed my parents, I would spend boring junior high school days like just study and go home.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you really enjoyed your junior high school experience. It is nice that your parents were willing to consider your wishes in this since you must have been pretty young at the time.
DeleteHi everyone! I would like to write about question 2. In our life, we may face difficulty to choose own way; such schools, job, and marriage. Actually, I was in difficult when I was in junior high school. When I was 15years old, I was a member of widow orchestra club. And I was a leader of it. To lead my club going smoothly, I had been working hard as a leader every day. Therefore, I couldn’t have enough times to study for taking an entrance examination of high school. On the other hand, other students had studied a lot for it. So, I was already inferior to them. I was so nervous by the situation. And then, I wondered, if I should quit the club or not. Then I asked about that myself like “Which would be the biggest regret?” Then I made my decision. I didn’t quit the club. Off course, I couldn’t study enough for the exam, but I didn’t in the least regret that. From the experience, I consider about which is the most regrettable one, when I have to make a difficult choice.
ReplyDeleteHi, Ayaka!! I also had same experience as you when I was in high school. I belonged to basketball team and I was a vice captain. Unfortunately, my team`s captain had a broken bons, so I had to took my team`s captain`s place. I had to make all practice plans and schedule. It was hard for me and I wanted to leave everything to someone. But I decided to carry out because I didn`t want to regret as you said. And I also could understand how hard work captain was. There are meny difficulty choices in our lives. I think the most important thing is talking to myself and taking an objective view.
DeleteI think you found a wise way to make your decision! When I'm faced with a big decision like this, sometimes I think: how will my choice affect me in 1 week? 1 year? 10 years? But I have a question: What is "widow orchestra club"? And what instrument did/do you play? Have your ever read the poem, "The Road Not Taken," by Robert Frost? It is very famous and well beloved in America, and it is not too long. It is about making choices.
DeleteI’d like to write about number 2. When I was in high school, my major course was science and mathematics, so English was sub major. When I choose university, I was really confused because I wanted to be a nurse, but also I wanted to learn English. However, to be a nurse and learn English are completely different, so my teacher said I have to choose one of these. I thought about it for a long time, because these had some risks and profits. To be a nurse is very hard but easy to get a job. To learn English is delightful but hard to get a job. Then my mother asked question. “Even if you couldn’t pass an exam to enter university, are you ready to go to junior college to study nursing?” This question influenced me because that time I didn’t know to be a nurse is super harder than I think. I couldn’t ready for it and I have a lot of things I want to do such as go abroad, study several languages and so on, so I decided to learn English to grant my requests. Now, my one of the requests is granting. It’s study abroad. I have to study hard to don’t regret I chose this way.
ReplyDeleteHi, Chiaki! I’d like to talk about my sister to you. When my sister was a high school student, she was thinking whether she went to a nurses’ college or a flight school. Then she decided to go to the flight school, studied abroad, and became a flight attendant. However, my sister is going to quit the job because she finally noticed that she wanted to be a nurse. After quitting the job, she is going to go to a nurses’ college and to take an international license of nurse. So you always can be a nurse if you want. You always change your future, and the experiences you have ever had are not wasted. I think your decision is collect.
DeleteI think you made a good decision, Chiaki, and I think Keito offers you some great advice too. I remember when I was about to graduate from college, I felt very stressed because I still didn't know what I was going to do with my life. I thought everyone had a plan by the time they were graduating from college. But I found out you can do lots of things because life is long, and you can always change your mind and try something new.
Deletehello everyone, I would like to answer question number one which as about the American election. I think the American election process is so fair and totally equal for all the American people, actually I was surprised how they do it, first of all everyone should vote and then they would make every decision shown on the tv in every minutes so people can hear and see what is going on. I like all that but I have a questions about the way they choose the leader how did they choose the first person I mean America have a huge population how can they get from all these people only few to be the next president,I'm so curious to know how its begin, at first I thought the one who has money he/she can go and say that they are thinking that they can be a president but that not true because I saw and heard Michael ( president Obama wife) she was saying that she never neither president Obama were rich or have more money they have been always a simple american family weekend go with them children to visit their grandparents and go to watch a football game so i'm sure that they are a normal level I know that is off the topic but I want say that first lady Michelle is such a great beautiful strong women I really respect her a lot.In my country we do not choose our leader he is already chosen in my country because in Saudi Arabia we have a Monarchy way we are pretty similar to British way of having a leader but it has a lot of different rules in may varies ways, Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all your thoughts and comments, Ruba! And I agree with you about Michelle Obama - she is so beautiful and gracious and smart and poised. Being rich is not a requirement for being president, though getting elected does cost a ton of money! Most of the money is donated to the candidates by individuals and businesses who want to see their candidate get elected. Most presidential candidates start out in local politics (at the city or state level) - Obama was a senator from Illinois and Romney was a governor of Massachussets. There are primary elections where both the Republicans and the Democrats pick one candidate (usually from 7 or 8 possible choices) who will represent their party in the presidential election later that year. It's quite a process!
DeleteHi, Ayaka!! I also had same experience as you when I was in high school. I belonged to basketball team and I was a vice captain. Unfortunately, my team`s captain had a broken bons, so I had to took my team`s captain`s place. I had to make all practice plans and schedule. It was hard for me and I wanted to leave everything to someone. But I decided to carry out because I didn`t want to regret as you said. And I also could understand how hard work captain was. There are meny difficulty choices in our lives. I think the most important thing is talking to myself and taking an objective view.
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