こんにちは、大東文化大学国際交流センターです！

大東文化大学には海外協定校から交換留学生（交流生）や日本政府の奨学金を受けて日本語日本文化研修留学生（日研生）として留学をしている留学生が毎学期、多く在籍しています。

世界各国から集う留学生たちや協定校のこと、世界のことをもっと身近に感じていただけるよう、「留学生レポートリレー」 を掲載しています。

第13回となる今回は、アメリカの学生からのメッセージをお届けします。

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(1)    氏名/Name: A.S
(2)    出身国/Home Country: United States of America
(3)    母国の大学/Home University: St Cloud State University
(4)    日本での留学期間/Period of Study in Japan: 2026年3月～2026年8月
(5)    趣味や好きなこと/Hobby・What you like to do etc…：Drawing, reading, writing

The United States is an incredibly massive, diverse country—whenever asked questions about climate or culture, I always find myself answering with “It depends”. There is no one “correct” way to act in America, you just have to decide the kind of person you want to be. Traditional American cuisine varies greatly from region to region, often steeped in the history tied to that place. It’s a country bursting with historical significance, often unconscious, in the many styles of literature, film, and music.

Most people may think of New York City and Los Angeles when America is brought up in conversation—big, glamorous cities with strongly, truly “American” identities. However, I think where America shines best is in its diverse origins. Instead of searching for one, true American identity, I’d suggest that people look to the many cultural identities rooted deeply within the history.

St Cloud State University is located in St Cloud City, somewhere in central Minnesota. I’m majoring in software engineering (faculty of science and engineering) and minoring in art. Though St Cloud is a smaller university than Daito Bunka, there are many wonderful professors there who are passionate about the subjects they teach. It also provides a variety of degree programs you can pursue, and lots of opportunities to explore new subjects as well.

I’ve had an interest in the Japanese language since I was a kid. I remember borrowing Astro Boy manga from the library and watching anime clips on YouTube. Eventually, I started picking up some simple phrases and words from anime, which made me interested in trying to learn the language. I self-studied off and on for a few years. I never thought I’d ever get a chance to visit this country, so once the opportunity came up, I just had to take it. The chance to experience being somewhere completely different from my own home, to meet new people and see new things, as well as to learn even more Japanese—all these desires brought me here.

DBU has a beautiful campus. The buildings have an interesting structure and layout, everywhere you look there’s greenery, and the pond in the center of campus always draws the eye. The faculty I’ve met have acted incredibly kindly towards me, and seem to really care about their subjects. The international center especially has been so accommodating and warm, and I’ve met many new people I’d never otherwise get a chance to talk to.

Be open and curious. With so many international students around, you have some rare opportunities to learn more about other cultures! Try to make the best of what you have right now, even if it’s not exactly what you want—there’s so much around to appreciate every day.

Largely the same as my message to DBU students—be open, be curious! Kill your pride and make mistakes; that’s the only way you can learn more Japanese. Observe your surroundings. Try to take in the beauty or interesting details of every moment you can. Some of my favorite moments have been not the giant, tourist trips, but instead quiet moments, where I feel comfortably settled into life here.

Although I’m definitely not a very social, outgoing person, I still found a lot of value in coming here. I’ve learned so much and have had so many new conversations. I’ve been accommodated so kindly by faculty and students here, for which I’m incredibly grateful. Japan is a beautiful country, and these past months spent admiring it are unforgettable.

1869年に創立されたセントクラウド州立大学は、現在ミネソタ州最大級の公立大学の一つ。

優秀な教授陣やスタッフを擁し、約10,000名の学生（留学生や大学院生含む）が学ぶ活気あるコミュニティを形成している。

大学のメインタージ（キャンパス）はミシシッピ川沿いに広がり、都市境界を越えてビジネス等に特化した教育拠点を展開している。

学部には64に分かれた多彩な専攻があり、いずれも国際化、地域連携、技術・デジタル革新、そして持続可能な発展の推進に取り組んでいる大学。