How many times have you experienced travel abroad? Maybe people will answer once or twice. Actually, about eleven million two hundred eighty thousand Japanese people experienced traveling abroad in 2002. Most of them travel in America or Europe. Especially, Thirteen percent of elementary school students and nineteen percent of junior high school students have experienced study abroad according to a survey of one hundred parents who have children from public schools. The reasons why people travel abroad are for pleasure, to develop their English ability, to make foreign friends, to work in a foreign country. Some people are afraid of traveling abroad because we go the country where we haven't visited before. It's a new place and no one knows me. Our anxiety become bigger and bigger. The number of Japanese children who have experienced travel abroad seems to be few. Traveling abroad in childhood gives a lot of good benefits. Traveling abroad in childhood gives children abundant knowledge, good education which are useful for the future. All Japanese people should experience travel abroad when they are children.
First, study abroad supports the idea that a child can become a person with abundant knowledge. A child's brain easily absorbs a lot of things. They absorb various things. They learn culture, life-style, and history on the trip. When they experience a home stay, they maybe confused by the custom that foreigners don't take off their shoes but they get used to the custom soon. They understand the difference between foreign countries and Japan. They can accept other the country easily.
When children study abroad, they also learn English. Their memorization ability is very high, so they can learn to speak English quickly. At first, they listen to easy words many times and they play English games or sing English songs. That is why they enjoy learning English; they have and interest in English. Therefore children can master the language in the real place with native speakers. They are able to get information and associate widely with people by using English.
Second, study abroad provides a good education to children. Children who have experienced study abroad can be mentally strong. Some children stay about a few year in foreign country. Little children are expected to feel homesick. They may miss speaking Japanese and eating Japanese food. Even if they get into difficulties, they have the spirit to get through their difficulties. They have created a new place for themselves where they live comfortably. So they have confidence to be able to live even when they are in a difficult environment.
According to the internet website "Merit of Study Abroad for children, sponsored by Office with You" the life of elementary school students and junior high school students who have experienced study abroad is widely different from those who did not travel. Before the trip, they are helped by their parents all the time. Probably they couldn't get up early, perhaps there are children who may be not able to put on their clothes bu themselves. After the trip, most elementary school students can do a lot of things by themselves. They have even learned how to use a washing machine. They always depended on their parents help, but if go to a foreign country, they have to do everything by themselves. So they can move dependent of their parents earlier in Japan than others. Also, they become more active children though the trip. They enjoy their hobbies, and some seminar. Moreover, they can soon take the English lesson. In junior high school students, they can enjoy their study for the entrance examination of high school and English classes in their school more. They experienced a trip and saw Japan from a different point of view. They found a lot of things that they didn't know before about Japan. They have changed themselves because they experienced many things. They can grow mature through the trip. When they come back to Japan, they understand the importance of their parents. Then parents supported and cooperated with them to make the trip possible. They paid a lot of money for them and they worried about their health, life and everything. Thanks to them, children can go foreign countries and learn many things. They cherish their family more than before. Children are taught things in the trip that they can used to live in Japan from now on.
Lastly, traveling abroad in childhood is useful for the future. I will talk about my relative's travel abroad experience. When she was a child, she experienced a lot of traveling abroad because her father's business. She went to France, Germany, Australia, Korea and others. She didn't complain about traveling abroad; she treasured meeting people. She could male friends soon in local places. Even when she came back to Japan, she didn't forget to keep in touch with them. Now she works in a company in Tokyo. She is superior in English to her counterparts. She is what is called "bilingual". She is also attending a Chinese lesson once a week. She is careful in her choice of language according to the circumstances. She is always learn something and she is eager to try new things. She continues to come and going between Japan and other countries. It seems to be tough for her, but actually she is satisfied with her busy life. She said that if children experience traveling abroad once, they don't forget the experience!
According to the internet website, "Elementary School Student's Experiences of Study Abroad in England" gives various experiences. One of the experiences is based on how children live in society in England. Teachers teach children to use common sense without being afraid of failure. Schools in England encourages a lot of experiences besides school work. For example, they encourage relationships to the community, the challenge of sports or music. Teachers give them good chances to find themselves so that they can lead a full life. A girl studied abroad since the summer of 2004 when she was ten years old. Before the trip, she had lessons in English, German and French in Japan, but as she moved from grade to grade, she didn't have enough time to for lesson. She had many things that she wanted to do, but she couldn't stop her lessons. To tell the truth, Japanese children always feel busy because they go a private school, and they have many lessons. However she could try new things in England. She could experience a lot of things there. According to the internet website "Study abroad in England", England's compulsory education start is earlier than Japan by two years. Such as in "Harry Potter", each child receives points. They can get points for studying or life experiences. They are more aware of their responsibilities. Classes usually start nine o'clock and one lesson is thirty five minutes. During rest time, teachers prepare drinks and some sweets for the children. After classes, children enjoy playing games and activities. Study abroad system for children is ready now.
In conclusion, Japanese people have to change their opinion that travel abroad is hard for children. As a result, children can live well if they haven't lived before. They accept everything and they don't resist culture in other countries. They can make friends quicker than adults. Because children's hearts are always open, they can more naturally fit into social circles of foreigners. Also, their abilities became higher. They can be specialists because they learned the difference between foreign culture and Japan and they can speak foreign languages. Moreover, they could realize their own dreams. The experience of traveliing abroad in childhood is very valuable. So it is an important thing that parents let their children travel abroad. All Japanese people should experience travel abroad positively in their childhood.
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