My reaction to Fisher

     The contents of the Fisher's text is so interesting and I am very convinced by it. I have some experiences of Fisher's 5 characteristics of the Nature of Perception and 5 Elements of Perception. For example, in NP lecture, when Mike showed us playing cards, I didn't notice the existence of a black diamond card even though it doesn't exist in reality. This is an example of the power of expectations. Also, I'm convinced about Comparison because if we don't have comparison, we can't evaluate anything. In the discussion of Today's class, we found that only Expectations cause some problems in Fisher's 5 Elements. It is because only Expectations lead people to make mistakes, and the other 4 Elements don't cause any serious misunderstanding. And we understand the difference between Expectations and Context. The difference is that the things led by Expectations are not real and on the other hand, the things led by Context are actual. Then, what I want to know is that how can we deal with the Fisher's 5 characteristics of the Nature of Perception!! But I think there is no answer to this question.

My reaction to the Barna text

     The Baena text is interesting for me. In this summer, I took part in the SEA Program and went to the U.S. In the U.S., I had many difficulties in communicating with foreigners such as language differences, preconceptions and stereotypes and so on. The most interesting part for me is the tendency to evaluate because I never hit upon such an idea.

     In the discussion in my group, we found the Seventh Stumbling Block; that is xenophobia. Xenophobia is a fear of outsiders. For example, Japan has a characteristic of ethnocentrism. We don't accept many immigrants from other countries because we are afraid of them. It is natural to be afraid of others, especially of foreigners, because they have different cultures, but we have to get used to them later and accept them. By accepting outsiders, we can communicate with them more!!

     I'm curious about how can we communicate with people who don't know the languages we know, and we can't use verbal communication. I can use nonverbal communication instead of verbal communication, but sometimes there are different meanings in the same gesture.

Book Reaction

In this summer, I read 1984 written by George Orwell as a summer reading assignment. I have two reasons why I chose this book. The first reason is that when I read the shorter version of it in high school, I could not finish to read it and could not understand the contents of it.　The second reason is that I read it in a class of SEA Program and I was interested in it.

Then, I want to tell you about the story. 1984 is a Science Fiction story about the world in “1984”. There are three countries called Oceania, Eastasia and Eurasia. In Oceania, the Party controls everything including people’s mind and history, and the leader of the Party is called Big Brother. The Party observes people using the telescreen and hates sex. There are three main characters and they are Winston, Julia and O’ Brien. All of them are members of the Party. But Winston and Julia do not believe what the Party says. Although O’ Brien told them that he was the enemy of the Party, but this was a lie. Gradually, Winston and Julia fell in love with each other and believed that they would never betray each other even if they were tortured. However, after they were arrested and tortured, they betrayed each other. Finally, Winston and Julia do not love each other and they are completely controlled by the Party. The themes of 1984 are freedom and love. In this world, there is no freedom and people cannot decide anything by their choice. Also, there are many descriptions about the relationship between Winston and Julia. They were worried that they would be arrested and tortured by the Party, but they decided to continue their relationship.

The part I liked especially is the part that Winston and Julia talk about themselves seriously. I liked it because I think it is the first time that they can know each other deeply. Also, I can get much information about them and it makes me read this book a little easier. The part I disliked especially is the part that Winston is tortured. I also watched the movie of 1984 and this part is so cruel. The cruelest part is that Winston is tortured with rats, which is the worst thing in the world for Winston. If I were Winston, I would scream, cry and feel like to die immediately. Anyway, 1984 is not an enjoyable book because there are many cruel parts, but it is so interesting.

My summer and Autumn 2011

     In this summer, I took part in SEA Program, went to the United States and studied at St. Michael's College. There were many students from other countries to study English. In my first class, there were 4 ICU students and 7 Colombian high school students. I did not only study English so hard, but also had many activities. We saw fireworks, had dance cruise, had a trip for Montreal, Boston and New York. Through classes and these activities, I made friends with many foreigners. Anyway, I enjoyed my summer vacation!!
     From ARW Autumn, I want to learn many things, especially the skill to organize essays well. In spring term, I wrote 2 essays, and in both essays, I could not organize them well. Also, I want to be able to give presentation well.
     Now, I'm interested in Development Studies, but I don't decide whether or not to major it. I belong to ICU Festival Committee and Unesco Club, so I'm worried that I may not have enough time to study hard. But I promise to do my best!!