The Devil Wears Prada -Movie-

The first time I saw this movie in the theater, this movie is very funny and reflect American company's aspect very well. American women have always been very independent. I really respect it. I always value the women's movement, a political, social effort to give women the same status and right as men. If you are interested in women's situation in

 company, you should watch this movie. This movie will give you the power. I really recommend this movie for women. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zicgut4gpwU

"The Devil Wears Prada (2003) is a best selling novel by Lauren Weisberger about a young woman who,freshly graduated from college, is hired as a personal assistant to a powerfulfashion magazine editor, a job that becomes hellish as she struggles to keep up with her boss's capricious and demeaning requests. It was greatly successful, spending six months on theNew York Times bestseller list and becoming the basis for the successful 2006 eponymous film, with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt.(Summary from DVD.)"

My view of America

1.        People in America should take a stronger responsibility though the life of the United States is free.

2.        Americans people live in a bigger house than Japanese people live in. Mostly it has also a big yard.

3.        American people like the fast foods and a simpler and bigger cooking. 

4.        American people believe in the human right and religions. Japanese people believe hard work make them to be happy so they always work overtime.

5.        American people consider that time and money are the most valuable. Japanese people value the courtesy most. So we have honorific words in own language.

6.        Americans motivates are the vote, a hero, the football, and the basketball. Japanese motivates are comic’s hero, fashion, and examination ordeal. 

7.    The people in the United States behave positively, and they firmly have their opinion. They value the  opinion exchange. The people in Japan behave modestly and softly. They like a euphemism; it is a  polite word or expression that you use instead of a more direct one to avoid shocking or upsetting someone. 

#2 American people are...

They are very open mind even though their friendliness would look superficial. Japanese people worry too much about what other people think of. I think that problem relate to homogeneous nature of Japanese society. The United States is a multiethnic community, especially California, so they have an open mind. Now, I feel that the American people are very open so they feel comfortable enough with foreigners, like me. It is a great feeling. 

Recall My first day in America

I had some first impression's things for The U.S. when I had arrived CA, America for the first time. Then I was a junior in Japanese university. I went to UCLA to study English with my friend whose name is Sayaka. It’s only for one month.  I was very impressed when going outside of the airport because there were many lanes in the road, a lot of palms, and the bright sunshine. Moreover, the street was not busy. Tokyo is much crowd. The weather was dry and hot but it was more comfortable than Tokyo. It is more humid. How was UCLA? In fact, UCLA didn’t take good care of us because of the very big university. We were left alone. We felt some anxiety although we finally slept. Today, I choose small university, Woodbury University. I prefer here. 

Beverly Hills!!

Just yesterday, I had a big presentation in a studio class. This project was making shopping bag design. I designed and made shopping bags for the following store. 

SENSIBILITY: An upscale women's clothing store located on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The selection is contemporary and sophisticated.

I researched some existing establishments in the same category as that store choice. I went to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and research stores located there. It was good opportunity for me catching American celebrity's culture. 

[ Surly Girls ]

[nanette lepore]

[CURVE]

Beverly Hills is a very rich place. It is very famous all over the world. I had fun time even though I could not buy anything. But, I just got a shopping bag in free! HAHA.

I made 2 types of shopping bag. Which one do you like?

Levi's

Hello. Today, I would like to introduce about my interesting things and favorite things in America.

[Fashion]

How is your typical image of American fashion? White T-shirts and blue jeans?

However, blue jeans styles have a history that is to bring wasteland under cultivation towards the west. We call this history as a gold rush.

Levi Strauss:

Do you know Levi’s?

It is the very famous jeans brand all over the world. 

What was the narrative about this famous brand?

In the 1800s, immigrants continued to move from Europe to the. U.S. In addition, they reclaimed land towards the west, where everybody was trying to stake a claim on gold. Then, people noticed that a pair of pants tears easily. They needed more strong pants. Then, Levi Strauss, he developed stronger pants. He was the person who made this famous brand that is Levi’s. The company has made jeans under the Levi7s brand since the 1870s. It has developed the garments into an American icon. Today, everybody knows this brand; of course, the young men in Japan really like this brand. This television commercial in Japan, Brad Pitt appears.

 

American People are...

People in America should take a stronger responsibility though the life of the United States is free. People are independent so much. And, american people believe in the human right and religions.  

American people consider that time and money are the most valuable things. I like this American phrase, "Time is Money". This phrase indicates American's society. 

They eat food quickly for their crush schedule. 

Next,  The people in the United States behave positively, and they firmly have their opinion. They like the opinion exchange, such as controversial topics. 

My most appreciate thing to American people is "Ladies First".

 

Case Study #4

Case Study Report:

#04 Three’s Crowd

 

I.         Statement of the Problem

The problem is their cultural difference between Maria and Jenny: Maria could not accept Jenny’s behavior that is to bring her boyfriend to their double dorm room.

II.       Suggestion of possible solutions

(a)      Solution 1: Maria should have told Jenny about her feeling to this problem with Jenny and Jack before she determined to move out.

(b)      Solution 2: Maria should have gone to her adviser and to talk about the problem with Jenny.

III.     Evaluation of possible solutions

(a)      Solution 1:

[Advantage] It is a very directly settlement of this problem. It is also easier to be accepted Maria’s feeling by Jenny.

[Disadvantage] American girls are usually strong mind and self-centered, so maybe Maria did not accept.

(b)      Solution 2:

[Advantage] It is a very helpful for Maria. Advisor will send a mail with a caution of dorm’s rule.

[Disadvantage] It would not be helpful for Maria. Because, her Advisor may expose it that Maria consulted about the problem with Jenny.

IV.     Selection of a solution

(a)      Solution 1: Maria should have told Jenny about her feeling to this problem with

        Jenny and Jack before she determined to move out.

Because, Jenny must have known that Maria is foreigner. So, it had a possibility that Maria has a different culture and a thought to date with boyfriend. In fact, sex before marriage was considered a sin for Venezuela.

ESL Resources - OASIS CENTER -

STUDY SKILLS　●○●○○●

Hello, everyone. I researched about OASIS CENTER in our university. OASIS CENTER is the one of important resources for international students because it provides English help, broad academic support services for the school community, and Academic Advisors for international students.

    1:::: Introduction of OASIS CENTER.

  2::: The Interview to a Tutor at Writing Center.

 3::: The Interview to an Instructor of TELP.

(This Video cannot upload because of over the capacity.)

Us international students are always here!! If you have any problems in school life, staffs of the OASIS CENTER will help you. Don't be afraid of American School Life. 

Case study #1

These days, I have been sick, it have not better. It's getting worse.

Last night, I had fever again.

Case Study Report #1

Coming to North America

 

I.         Statement of the Problem

A. Definition: Dita who is an international student could not adjust culture shock in American college’s life.

B. Analysis: She is a very timidity so she did not challenge new surrounding.

II.       Suggestion of Possible Solutions

A. Solution 1 Take part in more social parties.

B. Solution 2 Make an appointment with an adviser.

C. Solution 3 She should have tried to make friends who are from same country.

III.     Evaluation of Possible Solutions

A. Solution 1

1. Advantages She could have gotten much friends and it is good opportunity for her.

2. Disadvantages the party sometimes has having alcohol so it is not good for her.

B. Solution 2

3. Advantages She could have gotten better advise.

4. Disadvantages She could not have gotten make an appointment.

C. Solution 3

5. Advantages It is good opportunity for her and maybe they will sympathize with Dita.

6. Disadvantages The College might not have other person who is from same country with Dita.   

Ⅳ.  Selection of a Solution

     A. Choice: Solution2

     B. Because it is best and general solution for international students.

Case Study #2

This is my assignment for my class.

Case Study #2: 

A Question of interpretation


I. Statement of the Problem
   A. Definition: Mei could not adjust her problem as culture shock in the class.
   B. Mei’s misunderstanding to teacher’s saying and Mei’s negative personality.

The problem is the difference of language and different interpretations of each custom for class. And, Mei took teacher’s suggestions pessimistically.

II. Suggestion of Possible Solutions
 A. Mei should have gone to the teacher and ask how to write an essay.
 B. The teacher should have been more considered her situation as a foreigner.
 C. Mei could have gone to ESL before taking general classes.

III. Evaluation of Possible Solutions
 A. Solution 1
    1. Advantages: She can have a good opportunity that she can talk a lot and understand to the teacher. And, the teacher also will understand better about Mei. At the same time, Mei will be able to get a skill of writing.
    2. Disadvantages: Although teacher is a person who teach College Reading and Writing, however the teacher is not a specialist that teaching writing and Reading to foreigner.

B. Solution 2
    3. Advantages: It will be good for Mei. Mei will become comfortable to be in class.
    4. Disadvantages: Teacher might not be interested in foreigner and she may not imagine an international student’s situation.

C. Solution 3
    5. Advantages: She could have prepared enough to enter the college before she enrolled it.
    6. Disadvantages: Her college may not have the ESL.

IV. Selection of a Solution
Solution 1

I love Barbie!!

Hi! EVERYONE! I am an international student in California. I am studying English and Graphic Design now. Im gonna introduce Americans Culture and to compare cultures between America and Ja

pan in this BLOG. At first, I want to say about my most favorite thing, which is "BARBIE" ! Do you know this year is the special year for Barbie's fun, because it is 50t

h anniversary when barbie had been born. There were some events for Barbie in this year.

Also, one of the Japanese company published clothes brand with a concept of Barbie, and that company connected original Barbie's company. Anyway, this clothes brand is my most favorite one! Below is Japanese shop of Barbie. It is a very cute, right?

Ok, now I am going to explain about Barbie's interesting history. It relates to American history and culture very much.

Actually, Japan has also popular dolls, name is RIKA. However, this is the only one kind. In 1970, Barbie dolls came Japan. However it didn't become popular around Japanese girls because Barbie's  face and body style were not familiar to Japanese kids. They could not accept the doll which has the Western style. Reason was probably Japanese people are homogeneous compared with America. In contrast, there are many kind of barbies in America, one of Barbie is White, the other is Back, another is yellow. There are much variations. This reason is just diversity culture. This diversity in the country is a reflection of the variations in Barbie.

[Barbie 2009 collections]

[RIKA in JAPAN 2009 Collections]

Information of Barbie:

Name: Barbara Millicent Roberts

Age: 17 years old

Work: Fashion Model

Height: 12 inch

Birthday: March 9, 1959 

Barbie's Doll Style History:

1959-1965 THE EARLY YEARS

1965-1970 THE MOD ERA

1971-1976 THE MALIBU ERATHE 

1980’S SUPERSTAR, DISCO, ROCK ERA

THE 90’S NEW FAMILY LITTLE KIDS & FRIENDS ADULTS

The original Barbie was launched in March 1959.

As you see, the original Barbie was typical style. and focused on white people. Skin was white, hear color was almost blond, in addition, eyes were almost blue.

Oreo Fun Barbiefrom 1997 became controversial 

due to a negative interpretation of the doll's name.

After 1990, controversial issue of segregation became serious over American society.

The time of slavery already had passed. However, people thought about this thing in negative. Then, such as like this black barbie published with that background.

Baribie is a part of American history. It showed American negative parts. America is a very diversity.

It is a strong point to America. Japan is more homogeneous country. Therefore, people sometimes 

cannot accept other outstanding parts. But, America is opener mind than Japanese. There is a memory that is deeply history and to get over this issue for American people. Barbie gives you to understand American

culture.