期待下次再參與
文：臺南市六甲區農會 楊瑞仁 期待下次再參與
第一次參加這種寫信給外國筆友的活動，一開始還擔心兩個人會合不來，興趣、價值觀不同等問題，還好她第一封信的自我介紹裡提到她會打排球，也喜歡打排球，而我也是。我們前幾次都是寫一些自己的愛好，愛看的電影、喜歡的歌手…而她似乎是第一次聽到韓國歌手的名字，這點我很訝異，我還以為歐美地區也很流行亞洲音樂呢！
第一次參加這種寫信給外國筆友的活動，一開始還擔心兩個人會合不來，興趣、價值觀不同等問題，還好她第一封信的自我介紹裡提到她會打排球，也喜歡打排球，而我也是。我們前幾次都是寫一些自己的愛好，愛看的電影、喜歡的歌手…而她似乎是第一次聽到韓國歌手的名字，這點我很訝異，我還以為歐美地區也很流行亞洲音樂呢！
不得不說，隔了半個地球，環境和文化都相差甚遠，她那邊會下雪，而我說我從來沒有親眼看過雪，她很意外。她的生日派對看起來非常熱鬧，就跟我們平常看到的美國影集裡一樣。我非常羨慕那種感覺。而中間有一段時間我很晚才回信，因為時間上卡到段考，但也因為這個機會，我問了她一些學校的問題。因為她現在在線上上課，一天只要花4到5個小時完成作業，而在學校上課的我們，一天要花上將近12個小時在課業上。
不得不說，隔了半個地球，環境和文化都相差甚遠，她那邊會下雪，而我說我從來沒有親眼看過雪，她很意外。她的生日派對看起來非常熱鬧，就跟我們平常看到的美國影集裡一樣。我非常羨慕那種感覺。而中間有一段時間我很晚才回信，因為時間上卡到段考，但也因為這個機會，我問了她一些學校的問題。因為她現在在線上上課，一天只要花4到5個小時完成作業，而在學校上課的我們，一天要花上將近12個小時在課業上。
最讓我驚訝的是台灣與美國的教育體制的差別。就以國小來說好了。美國的國小大概下午兩點多就放學，放學之後可以參加社團，去同學家玩之類的。我國小都是四點放學而且要去安親班，一個禮拜補兩天英文。台灣在段考後會發給前三名的學生獎狀，我自己還有一本專門放國小獎狀的資料夾。美國在段考後不會公布誰是第一名，第二名，學生要知道成績還要自己跟同學對答案。差別真的是很大呢！讓我不禁感到台灣某方面真的很可憐。對小朋友來說，他們的童年就這樣獻給了國文英文數學。而美國的小朋友則是在享受人生，享受童年。為此我還跑去找有體驗過兩國教育體制的人經驗談的影片，他們真的覺得台灣的教育太過了。不管是時間上，考試上。
最讓我驚訝的是台灣與美國的教育體制的差別。就以國小來說好了。美國的國小大概下午兩點多就放學，放學之後可以參加社團，去同學家玩之類的。我國小都是四點放學而且要去安親班，一個禮拜補兩天英文。台灣在段考後會發給前三名的學生獎狀，我自己還有一本專門放國小獎狀的資料夾。美國在段考後不會公布誰是第一名，第二名，學生要知道成績還要自己跟同學對答案。差別真的是很大呢！讓我不禁感到台灣某方面真的很可憐。對小朋友來說，他們的童年就這樣獻給了國文英文數學。而美國的小朋友則是在享受人生，享受童年。為此我還跑去找有體驗過兩國教育體制的人經驗談的影片，他們真的覺得台灣的教育太過了。不管是時間上，考試上。
來參加這個活動的理由不外乎是想認識新朋友，增加自己的國際觀和英文能力，起初用Gmail來連絡，進度有點緩慢，後來我們互相追蹤了彼此Instagram，雖然有快速一點，但礙於時差的限制，大概一天傳一次訊息也就是極限了。雖然這次的活動已經結束了，但我覺得我們聊的東西有點少，我們應該還是會用Instagram來連絡，分享彼此國家的特色，希望有機會的話，可以和她打一場排球，也希望疫情能快點結束，才有出國的可能。
來參加這個活動的理由不外乎是想認識新朋友，增加自己的國際觀和英文能力，起初用Gmail來連絡，進度有點緩慢，後來我們互相追蹤了彼此Instagram，雖然有快速一點，但礙於時差的限制，大概一天傳一次訊息也就是極限了。雖然這次的活動已經結束了，但我覺得我們聊的東西有點少，我們應該還是會用Instagram來連絡，分享彼此國家的特色，希望有機會的話，可以和她打一場排球，也希望疫情能快點結束，才有出國的可能。
如果明年還有這樣的活動的話，我認為我還會想參加，說不定可以認識到不只美國的新朋友，我在國中時的四健會社團裡，曾經有老師來分享她運用四健會資源到印度交流的經驗，那天我聽完老師的分享後，覺得能以這樣的方式出國好像也不錯。畢竟我還沒出過國。
如果明年還有這樣的活動的話，我認為我還會想參加，說不定可以認識到不只美國的新朋友，我在國中時的四健會社團裡，曾經有老師來分享她運用四健會資源到印度交流的經驗，那天我聽完老師的分享後，覺得能以這樣的方式出國好像也不錯。畢竟我還沒出過國。
I attended the exchange pen pal program for first time. I worry that our interests can't match. But she said she can play volleyball and likes it in her first letter. And I too. We talked about our interest, favorite movie and favorite signer. I'm shocked that she never heard any Korean singer's name. I assume the Korean music is popular in American.
I attended the exchange pen pal program for first time. I worry that our interests can't match. But she said she can play volleyball and likes it in her first letter. And I too. We talked about our interest, favorite movie and favorite signer. I'm shocked that she never heard any Korean singer's name. I assume the Korean music is popular in American.
Have to say, we are half a world apart, environment and culture are very different. She said it would snow over there, and I said I've never seen snow with my own eyes. She was surprised.
Have to say, we are half a world apart, environment and culture are very different. She said it would snow over there, and I said I've never seen snow with my own eyes. She was surprised.
Her birthday party looked very lively, just like what we usually see in American TV series. I'm so envious of that feeling. There was a period of time in the middle that I replied very late because the time was stuck to the final exam. But because of this opportunity, I asked her some questions about American schools. Because she now takes classes online, she only takes 4 to 5 hours a day to complete her homework. In our school, we spend nearly 12 hours a day on schoolwork.
Her birthday party looked very lively, just like what we usually see in American TV series. I'm so envious of that feeling. There was a period of time in the middle that I replied very late because the time was stuck to the final exam. But because of this opportunity, I asked her some questions about American schools. Because she now takes classes online, she only takes 4 to 5 hours a day to complete her homework. In our school, we spend nearly 12 hours a day on schoolwork.
What surprised me the most was the difference between the education systems in Taiwan and the United States. Take the elementary school as an example, students of elementary schools in the United States leave school at about two o'clock in the afternoon. After school, they can join clubs and play at their classmates' houses. In our country, school ends at four o'clock and goes to the parenting class, and makes up two days of English a week.
What surprised me the most was the difference between the education systems in Taiwan and the United States. Take the elementary school as an example, students of elementary schools in the United States leave school at about two o'clock in the afternoon. After school, they can join clubs and play at their classmates' houses. In our country, school ends at four o'clock and goes to the parenting class, and makes up two days of English a week.
And Taiwan will issue certificates to the top three students after the final exam, and I have a folder dedicated to the certificates of entry for elementary schools. The United States will not announce who is the first and second after the final exam. Students need to know the results and have to check the answers with their classmates. The difference was really big! I can't help but feel that some aspects of Taiwan are really pitiful. For children, their childhood is dedicated to Chinese and English, mathematics. However, American children are enjoying life and childhood. For this reason, I also went to find videos of people who have experienced the education system of the two countries. They really think that Taiwan's education is too much. Especially, the time or the exam.
And Taiwan will issue certificates to the top three students after the final exam, and I have a folder dedicated to the certificates of entry for elementary schools. The United States will not announce who is the first and second after the final exam. Students need to know the results and have to check the answers with their classmates. The difference was really big! I can't help but feel that some aspects of Taiwan are really pitiful. For children, their childhood is dedicated to Chinese and English, mathematics. However, American children are enjoying life and childhood. For this reason, I also went to find videos of people who have experienced the education system of the two countries. They really think that Taiwan's education is too much. Especially, the time or the exam.
The reason for coming to this activity is nothing more than wanting to meet new people, increase my international outlook and enhance my English ability. We used Gmail to communicate at first, and progress was a bit slow. Later, we added Instagram, although it was a little faster, due to the limitation of time difference, sending a message about once a day is the limit. Although this event is over, I feel like we talked a little bit less. We should still use Instagram to connect and ask about the characteristics of each other's countries. I hope I can play volleyball with her if I have the chance. I also hope that the epidemic will end soon before it is possible to go abroad.
The reason for coming to this activity is nothing more than wanting to meet new people, increase my international outlook and enhance my English ability. We used Gmail to communicate at first, and progress was a bit slow. Later, we added Instagram, although it was a little faster, due to the limitation of time difference, sending a message about once a day is the limit. Although this event is over, I feel like we talked a little bit less. We should still use Instagram to connect and ask about the characteristics of each other's countries. I hope I can play volleyball with her if I have the chance. I also hope that the epidemic will end soon before it is possible to go abroad.
If there is another event like this next year, I think I will still want to participate. Maybe I can meet some new friends not only in the United States. When I was in high school, there was a teacher who shared her experience of using the resources of the 4-H Club to communicate in India. After listening to the teacher's sharing that day, I felt that it would be good to be able to go abroad in this way. After all, I have never been abroad.
If there is another event like this next year, I think I will still want to participate. Maybe I can meet some new friends not only in the United States. When I was in high school, there was a teacher who shared her experience of using the resources of the 4-H Club to communicate in India. After listening to the teacher's sharing that day, I felt that it would be good to be able to go abroad in this way. After all, I have never been abroad.