文化的差異
文：彰化縣花壇鄉農會 黄泓諭 文化的差異
從小就喜歡結交朋友的我，在去年年底得知四健會舉辦國際筆友計畫活動，便立刻透過花壇農會報名筆友計畫活動。這是我第一次參加四健會的活動，由於從來沒有機會認識外國朋友，我充滿著期待與好奇，希望能夠在活動中認識異國的朋友，去了解他們的文化以及和我們國家的差異，並擴展我的視野。
從小就喜歡結交朋友的我，在去年年底得知四健會舉辦國際筆友計畫活動，便立刻透過花壇農會報名筆友計畫活動。這是我第一次參加四健會的活動，由於從來沒有機會認識外國朋友，我充滿著期待與好奇，希望能夠在活動中認識異國的朋友，去了解他們的文化以及和我們國家的差異，並擴展我的視野。
我的筆友是一位小學三年級學生，雖然我的英文書寫能力並不厲害，只能用些很簡單的字詞與他溝通，有時也有文法的錯誤，甚至辭不達意，但是我的筆友都能夠看得懂，也能回答我想要問的問題，並且不會因為我的英文能力不強，而感受到歧視的問題，這讓我對自己的英文能力有點信心，覺得自己有能力和外國人溝通，甚至並不是想像中的困難，他的友善、耐心和好的品格是值得我學習的。
我的筆友是一位小學三年級學生，雖然我的英文書寫能力並不厲害，只能用些很簡單的字詞與他溝通，有時也有文法的錯誤，甚至辭不達意，但是我的筆友都能夠看得懂，也能回答我想要問的問題，並且不會因為我的英文能力不強，而感受到歧視的問題，這讓我對自己的英文能力有點信心，覺得自己有能力和外國人溝通，甚至並不是想像中的困難，他的友善、耐心和好的品格是值得我學習的。
與筆友書信往來中，我們聊了許多不同的話題。他來自於一個很自由快樂的家庭，家中有他的爸爸媽媽、哥哥和姊姊，他的父母給他很多自由時間玩耍，例如：常在家裡後院玩簡易的盪鞦韆和彈簧跳，有時打電動、看卡通以及每天照顧他飼養的小狗，也常常到戶外爬山和野餐。另外，他每天放學回家也沒有功課和我的生活相比，我感覺自己花很多時間在讀書以及寫功課，生活相較單調無趣。在節慶上，他跟我一樣也喜歡萬聖節，我們都喜歡裝扮特別的衣服，然後到處跟人要糖果，覺得很好玩。此外，我也分享了傳統節慶，元宵節和端午節活動，他覺得很特別。頓時，我體會到原來這些平常習以為常的節慶是這麼有特色。
與筆友書信往來中，我們聊了許多不同的話題。他來自於一個很自由快樂的家庭，家中有他的爸爸媽媽、哥哥和姊姊，他的父母給他很多自由時間玩耍，例如：常在家裡後院玩簡易的盪鞦韆和彈簧跳，有時打電動、看卡通以及每天照顧他飼養的小狗，也常常到戶外爬山和野餐。另外，他每天放學回家也沒有功課和我的生活相比，我感覺自己花很多時間在讀書以及寫功課，生活相較單調無趣。在節慶上，他跟我一樣也喜歡萬聖節，我們都喜歡裝扮特別的衣服，然後到處跟人要糖果，覺得很好玩。此外，我也分享了傳統節慶，元宵節和端午節活動，他覺得很特別。頓時，我體會到原來這些平常習以為常的節慶是這麼有特色。
跟他交流過程中，我感受到美國和台灣的文化差異，也學習了許多美國文化，希望下次有機會還能再參加筆友計畫活動。
跟他交流過程中，我感受到美國和台灣的文化差異，也學習了許多美國文化，希望下次有機會還能再參加筆友計畫活動。
I have been fond of making friends since I was a child, but I did not have any foreign friends before. The moment I learned that the National 4-H CLUB Association held an international pen pal program at the end of last year, I immediately signed up for the pen pal program through the Huatan Farmers’ Association. This is the first time I have participated in the event, which makes me excited. Since I have never had an opportunity to meet foreign friends, I am full of expectations. I hope that I can meet a foreign pen pal and learn about the different cultures between his
I have been fond of making friends since I was a child, but I did not have any foreign friends before. The moment I learned that the National 4-H CLUB Association held an international pen pal program at the end of last year, I immediately signed up for the pen pal program through the Huatan Farmers’ Association. This is the first time I have participated in the event, which makes me excited. Since I have never had an opportunity to meet foreign friends, I am full of expectations. I hope that I can meet a foreign pen pal and learn about the different cultures between his
and mine. What’s more, I could broaden my horizons.
and mine. What’s more, I could broaden my horizons.
My pen pal is a third grader. He is one year younger than me, but he has mature thinking. This makes me surprise. Also, although my English writing ability is not very good, I usually communicate with him by using some simple sentences. He still could understood what I said and respond to my questions. He always shows patience and politeness. I have never felt that I have been discriminated against because of my poor English ability. Communicating with the foreigners was not as difficult as I had imagined. His kindness and friendliness are things I can learn from.
My pen pal is a third grader. He is one year younger than me, but he has mature thinking. This makes me surprise. Also, although my English writing ability is not very good, I usually communicate with him by using some simple sentences. He still could understood what I said and respond to my questions. He always shows patience and politeness. I have never felt that I have been discriminated against because of my poor English ability. Communicating with the foreigners was not as difficult as I had imagined. His kindness and friendliness are things I can learn from.
In our e-mails, we talked about a variety of topics. He lives in Oregon, the Northwest region. The place where he lives is very pretty and quiet. He came from a free and happy family. His family members are his parents, one brother, one sister and him. His parents gave him much free time. For example, he often plays on and swings and jumps on his trampoline in the backyard. Sometimes he watches cartoons and plays video game, such as Pokemon. Interestingly, we love the same character, Magmar and Skarmory. He has to take care of his dog every day. He also does outdoor activities, like going mountain climbing and having a picnic. We are fond of getting close to nature. We both like basketball and I share how I play basketball. It is so fun to chat about our favorite sports. We all love pizza and sandwich, but I have never heard oftacos before, which is his favorite food from Mexico. It sounded delicious. I hope I can try it someday.
In our e-mails, we talked about a variety of topics. He lives in Oregon, the Northwest region. The place where he lives is very pretty and quiet. He came from a free and happy family. His family members are his parents, one brother, one sister and him. His parents gave him much free time. For example, he often plays on and swings and jumps on his trampoline in the backyard. Sometimes he watches cartoons and plays video game, such as Pokemon. Interestingly, we love the same character, Magmar and Skarmory. He has to take care of his dog every day. He also does outdoor activities, like going mountain climbing and having a picnic. We are fond of getting close to nature. We both like basketball and I share how I play basketball. It is so fun to chat about our favorite sports. We all love pizza and sandwich, but I have never heard oftacos before, which is his favorite food from Mexico. It sounded delicious. I hope I can try it someday.
In addition, he doesn’t have any homework at school. What a wonderful school life had! Compared with a school life in the USA, I always take numerous tests and do endless homework. Life is relatively boring and. However, we have something in common that we like fun Halloween. We all like to dress up in costumes because no one judge you for what you dress up like and go trick-or-treating to ask people around us to give candy to us. In addition, I also shared Chinese traditional festivals, such as the Lantern Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. To my surprise, he thought these festivals were cool. Suddenly, I realized that these yearly festivals are so special, and I should treasure our these Chinese Festivals.
In addition, he doesn’t have any homework at school. What a wonderful school life had! Compared with a school life in the USA, I always take numerous tests and do endless homework. Life is relatively boring and. However, we have something in common that we like fun Halloween. We all like to dress up in costumes because no one judge you for what you dress up like and go trick-or-treating to ask people around us to give candy to us. In addition, I also shared Chinese traditional festivals, such as the Lantern Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. To my surprise, he thought these festivals were cool. Suddenly, I realized that these yearly festivals are so special, and I should treasure our these Chinese Festivals.
I very appreciate that the National 4-H CLUB Association held such a meaningful cultural exchange activity for students. In the process of communicating with him, I realized the cultural differences between the United States and Taiwan, and I also learned a lot of American culture. This unforgettable experience has motivated me to explore exotic cultures. If I have the chance, I will visit the USA. I hope 4-H Association will hold this program next year. If yes, I will participate in the pen pal program again.
I very appreciate that the National 4-H CLUB Association held such a meaningful cultural exchange activity for students. In the process of communicating with him, I realized the cultural differences between the United States and Taiwan, and I also learned a lot of American culture. This unforgettable experience has motivated me to explore exotic cultures. If I have the chance, I will visit the USA. I hope 4-H Association will hold this program next year. If yes, I will participate in the pen pal program again.