Harbin – The Pearl on the Swan’s Neck

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I’m from a city called Harbin, in China, where is as cold as Batavia, NY. But it’s been pretty warm this winter in Batavia, so it’s colder in my hometown right now. I’d like to share with you how people have fun in winter there. First, let me show you something about my city.

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My city Harbin (the red part in the second picture) is the capital and the largest city in Heilongjiang Province. Also, the city is the eighth most populous Chinese city and the most populous city in whole Northeast China. There’re over 9.94 million inhabitants from the city, and a number of people living there who come from towns near Harbin.

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In the 1920s, the city was considered China’s fashion capital since new designs from Paris and Moscow reached here first before arriving in Shanghai.

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On 22 June 2010, the city was appointed a UNESCO “City of Music” as part of the Creative Cities Network.

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Our city is also called Ice City, Oriental Paris, and Oriental Moscow.

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After I came to GCC, cold weather here made me miss home sometimes. Thinking of what we used to do at home, it even made me miss home more.

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There’s a place, Ice & Snow World, open to public by tickets about 20 US dollars every year from New Year to whenever the weather gets warm.

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There’re a lot of ice lanterns and snow sculptures for everyone to see and take photos.

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Also, there’re a lot of fun activities about ice and snow, such as slides made of ice, and skiing with different kinds of funny boards.

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People wear super warm clothes, and just go there to have fun with their families and friends.

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Besides the World, there’re some small parks open for free, also with a lot of fun in there.

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Also, you can see the ice or snow sculptures everywhere by the streets.

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I have to say that the winter is really pretty in our city, which I miss it a lot.

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This is Harbin, China.

The Pearl on the Swan’s Neck.

Fata Morgana: Where Creativities Meet

As we finished the 34^th annual Fata Morgana fashion show, all of the fashion students felt triumphant and relaxed. We shared various emotions, such as fear, anxiousness, excitement, nervousness, and accomplishment. These particular feelings are felt only by students who strived hard to prepare for the fashion show. It will be an absolutely unforgettable memory for all of us.

Fashion Merchandising student Kana Tatsumi modeling jewelry she made herself, and a dress by Fashion Design Student Abby Wilcox

Fashion Merchandising student Kana Tatsumi modeling jewelry she made herself, and a gown by Fashion Design Student Abby Wilcox.

In GCC’s 33^rd annual fashion show, Ethereal, I was a model for Abby Wilcox. It was quite a good experience, but I only saw the surface of the fashion show. I did not know how hard showcasing a fashion show was. This year, I had the opportunity to work with Abby again as a jewelry designer and model. It was the first time I made suitable jewelry for luxury dresses. I struggled considering both the concept of the scene, Oasis, and the theme, Fata Morgana. The dresses of Oasis are classic and elegant in style, and the theme of Fata Morgana is inspired by exotic styles. This is why I was mostly inspired by ancient Egypt for my jewelry, and I mainly used interlinking chains. Using bunches of gold chains made my jewelry look luxurious and glamorous. The powerful success I have made for this show is the chemistry of exotic jewelry and classic dresses. I also considered the models’ appearance, height, the color of their hair, skin color, and eye color in order to make them look more stunning with my jewelry. I believe the twenty-one pieces of jewelry added a fascinating accent to the scene.

By participating as a jewelry designer and model, I gained technical skills both as a creator and a performer. Both experiences were priceless and allowed me to understand different perspectives. I am sure this opportunity will lead me onto a good career path as a jewelry designer. As a model, I think models’ posing, posture, and facial expressions can be a huge accent on a runway. Before the show started, I was thrilled with how beautiful all of the models were with classic dresses by talented designer Abby Wilcox, creative hair styles by David Gerard, amazing make-up by Amanda Marsala, and jewelry by myself. The fabulous work was finally created when all of the creativities met as one. I was so happy to work with many talented people. I really appreciated this opportunity and support I received from many people, because of this I was able to successfully complete the biggest project of my life thus far.
I am selling my jewelry on Etsy, and you can check out my jewelry brand, Jenny Minette, on Facebook via this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenny-Minette/1432798540278417

This blog was contributed by Fashion Merchandising Student Kana Tatsumi.

My GCC Experience

Hello, my name is Sayo Watanabe, and I am from Japan. I have longed to study abroad in the United States since I was in junior high school. So, now I am glad that I have experienced a lot while studying at GCC. There are many great things that can happen to you as a result of studying abroad, the following are just a few things that I have experienced!

1. Become More Independent

I was dependent on my parents and friends for support while I was living in Japan. At first It was difficult for me to be on my own because it was hard for me to clarify my thinking and consider my own opinion. I did encounter situations that needed to be remedied while at GCC, but I tried to solve these problems by myself. Now, I have become an active person and I can act on my own feelings better than before.

2. Broaden Your Horizons

When I lived in College Village, my roommates were American, Korean, and Vietnamese. I experienced various cultural differences at that time. I may not have been able to experience that kind of diversity in Japan. Now I know foreign cultures, and have learned to accept individual cultures. This was a wonderful experience for me.

3. Meeting People

I’m lucky to have had a lot of fantastic professors, roommates, classmates, and friends. I am shy, and I am not great at having conversations with people. But, I was able to gain confidence and began talking to more people than before, because the people who I have met at GCC have all been friendly.

I have had a variety of experiences while studying at GCC. I have learned the importance of cultural differences, self-improvement, and connecting to people. I believe that these experiences have led to the growth of confidence with myself, and it’s all because of my decision to study abroad at GCC.

This blog was contributed by GCC Student Sayo Watanabe.

Three Changes I’ve Noticed In myself Since Attending GCC

My name is Ayumi Fujita, and I am a GCC student majoring in Tourism & Hospitality Management. I have been at GCC for around two years now. I am proud to be a part of such a great program. I feel that I have gone through many changes during my life at college. I’d like to share these changes because I believe GCC is responsible for them.

1. Personality Change

One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed in myself is in my personality. Before GCC, I was a shy person. I could not speak with people who I met for the first time; also I really disliked presenting because I could not speak out and felt embarrassed to stand in front of a classroom. However, there have been chances to speak out and present during my program at GCC. This has given me a lot of practice, confidence, and time to perfect my speech. I felt that my speeches were improving. Moreover, I could speak with other people because other GCC students are friendly,I enjoy talking with them!

2. Recognizing the Differences between Japanese and American people

I have a new point of view from living in a foreign country. Before I came to the U.S., I felt a little scared and nervous because my image of the U.S. was a little negative. However, I noticed it was wrong day by day. All GCC students and staff-members are kind. They are open minded, and talk directly to me. They always help me to study in order to make a better future for myself. I could comfortably spend time surrounded by great people at GCC.

3. I Became more Active

After coming to GCC, I became an active person because I joined many clubs and went on trips. I went to Niagara Falls, New York City, Washington D.C., Toronto, and Orlando with my friends. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to visit so many places, because I thought these places were too far from Japan. It takes twelve hours to travel from Japan to the U.S. by airplane. The U.S. is huge, and there are many attractive places I have never visited. I would like to go on more trips and share my experiences with my friends and family.

Also, I became more independent throughout college because I have to do everything by myself. For example, I moved to an apartment when I became a sophomore. The process was hard, but my roommate and I took care of everything ourselves. It’s a precious experience for me and now I have confidence in myself. I am sure these experiences will help me in the future.

This blog was contributed GCC Student Ayumi Fujtia.

Online Classes At GCC

I’m taking one online class currently. I never took an online class, except for this class, ever. Therefore, I was a little worried to participate in this online class, because it was not clear to me how the class would go. I even had thoughts that the online class would not be helpful for my own learning. But, I soon found that my original assumptions were wrong. Rather, I found some benefits about taking the online class. This class is a little harder for me, because I have a lot of work to do independently. But, I manage to enjoy it while maintaining a strong work ethic.

The Value of Taking Online Classes At GCC

You can share many ideas with your classmate through discussion. It’s a good lesson in communication.
It helps you to learn the material more deeply.
You can study at your own pace.
You can check your Blackboard Account more frequently and try to join in the discussion as much as possible.
It might cause you to join in the class more actively than taking it in the class, because you are required to share your thoughts and comments with other students.
You can absorb information, even from ideas of students, and it will lead you to consider other points of view.

These are some of the many values of taking an online class At GCC. What I can say now is that online classes are beneficial to my own learning, gaining knowledge, and even keeping up my passion to learn. To be honest, two years have passed since I came to GCC. Even now, sometimes, I can’t catch what my professor or classmate says, exactly, because English is my second language and I may possibly miss some important parts of the class. But, I manage to be focused in my classes and enjoy the everyday learning environment. I found online classes are not so hard for me, because I can see what my classmates think about the discussion. I feel that I am able to keep up with the class and joining in the class steadily, positively and actively. In addition to this, this class gave me confidence. Usually, I rarely offer my opinion during class, because I’m shy and I’m hesitant out of fear of making mistakes. Therefore, when I received comments and agreement about my thoughts from online classmates, I was glad to get a response. Online classes definitely help to keep my motivation to learn, study, and absorb more!

This blog was contributed by GCC Student Kiho Minami.

Learning Spanish At GCC

¡Hola! Me llamo Miku.

Soy de Japon. Tengo una clase de español en GCC, y la clase es muy divertida. Afortunadamente, mi profesora Elizabeth es muy simpática, servicial y bonitaJ La clase es un poco difícil para mí, porque estudio español con inglés. ¡Pero, me gusta mucho la clase de español!

¡Gracias Elizabeth!

This semester I am taking SPA 101. Learning Spanish has been one of my dreams since high school, so I am really enjoying my Spanish class! There are many great professors at GCC, and I am currently taking Spanish with Elizabeth, who is counted among them!

How fun and valuable is learning Spanish in Elizabeth’s class?

I am having fun in every Spanish class. In the Spanish class, my professor, Elizabeth, teaches us by playing games and working in groups. She always tries to use Spanish as much as possible, so we can all practice listening to Spanish. Also, to memorize vocabulary, it is important to speak with people rather than just writing. We try to speak Spanish as much as possible with playing games, so I think her class is very effective, helpful, and also a lot of fun. She always welcomes questions, so after class, I ask questions and also we talk about our cultures. She has lived in Europe before, so she tells all of us interesting things about her experiences in Europe, too. It is really a fun and valuable time for me to talk about different cultures.

Learning a third language VS. a second language

As I am a Japanese student, my mother language is Japanese. My second language is English, and now my third language is Spanish. It is a new challenge for me to learn Spanish from English. Learning a third language is very different from learning a second language. It was not what I expected. Spanish and English are similar to each other, because they both have a formal alphabet, so it is difficult for me to keep up with American students. Because I’m not used to reading the alphabet, I can’t read quickly like the American students. Also, some Spanish words are really similar to English, so other students can understand the word even if we have not learned it yet. That is why I need more time than Americans to review and prepare for the next class. However, I also have an advantage to learning a third language. As I have been learning English for a long time, I am getting used to learning other languages, and I understand the best ways for me to learn Spanish. Even though I need more time to prepare, I do not feel that it is too difficult to learn Spanish, because Elizabeth will help me!

Thanks to my nice professor, Elizabeth, I enjoy every Spanish class, and learn Spanish effectively even though I am not used to learning with English, and it is difficult to keep up with the class. GCC offers more Spanish classes, and I think other Spanish professors are also nice and helpful just like Elizabeth! So why not take a Spanish class at GCC?

This blog was contributed by GCC Student Miku Ishikawa.

Why I Chose To Study At GCC

I am an international student from Japan. I used to attend university in Japan, but I left there because I decided to study at Genesee Community College. There are three main reasons why I believe GCC is a better fit for me.

1. To improve my English

Before I came to GCC, I couldn’t speak English like I do now. There are not many people who can speak English in Japan, so I really didn’t have the opportunity to learn it. If you are an international student and are willing to learn English, you should come to GCC and live with native English speakers.

2. To study Tourism & Hospitality Management

Another reason I chose GCC is to study Tourism & Hospitality Management. GCC has many different majors including Tourism & Hospitality Management, Fashion, Sports management, etc. Also, if you come to GCC, you can do an internship that is related to your major even if you are an international student. I plan to complete the OPT program, which is an internship program for international students in the U.S., after graduating.

3. To learn about American culture

This is the most valuable experience for international students. You can visualize the many differences between your culture and American culture. There is a beautiful nature around GCC, and people are kind and easy-going.

If you are thinking about studying abroad, you should come to GCC and experience it all for yourself!

This blog was contributed by Tourism & Hospitality Management Student Yuka Ito.

How To Choose A Major

– Follow These Seven Steps! –

I’m Ami Tanaka and I’m currently pursuing a degree in Tourism & Hospitality Management at Genesee Community College. I’m from Nagasaki, Japan. Everyday, I have a wonderful time at GCC with professors and friends! I am really excited to learn, and love my major. Deciding your major is one of the most important steps before you begin college life. Also, it is directly related to your future career, so you should decide it carefully. Today, I will introduce “how to decide on your major”, based on my experiences. I hope it will be helpful when you decide on your major!

Consider Your Passions, Interests, And Values.

Think beyond hobbies such as sports or musical instruments. Think about the impact that you want to make on the world and the legacy you want to leave behind. Are you passionate about business? Do you want to save the environment? Are you an artist? Do you love math? Do you want to be a doctor? Keep in mind that not only may your interests change over the next four years, but that technology and the economy are constantly changing.

2. Think Of Your Favorite Subjects And Classes In High School.

Which classes were the most exciting and inspiring to you?Consider which classes you performed the best in. “Easy A” classes don’t count; think of challenging and comprehensive classes in which you performed well. In my case, I was really interested in English, Speaking, and Hospitality management classes! So, I chose to study in the U.S., to improve my skills.

3. Consider Job Prospects, But Don’t Obsess Over Them.

Don’t think of choosing a major as applying for a job; think of it as choosing your life’s path. The jobs, internships, and other opportunities that open up for you as a result of following your passion come second. On the other hand, if your passion lines up with your career plans, then choose the major that will get you there fastest. In my case, I wanted to be an international flight attendant in the future. I have a certain dream, so that’s why I chose Tourism and Hospitality Management as my major. Through this major, I could learn geography, airline industries, hotel and resort management, and great customer service. All of my classes are beneficial and important for my future career!

4. Decide What Type Of Degree You Want.

While you may still be totally lost, you can narrow down your decision by deciding between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Sciences (BS).

BA degrees include liberal arts and social science majors like Political Science, International Relations, English, Art History, Sociology, and Cultural Anthropology.
BS degrees include science and math majors like Engineering, Biology, Evolutionary Anthropology, and Economics.

5. Read The Course Catalog At Your College Or University.

If you have already been accepted to a school, then read the course catalog to learn about the different majors, their requirements, and the types of courses involved. In my case, I also consider transfer requirements, so it is helpful to compare what credits I need to graduate from this school, as well as my transfer school. You can always talk with your advisor!

6. Consider Your School’s Reputation.

Does your school specialize in Journalism? Agriculture? Medicine? Engineering? Tourism? If the quality of the education you receive is of utmost importance to you and you are still undecided between majors, then consider which departments or majors your school is most well known for. GCC is one of the best schools for students who want to learn Tourism, because they have great internship opportunities, such as JFK and Disney World!

7. Set Up A Meeting With Your Counselor.
Whether you are undecided between two or more majors, or have absolutely no idea what major to choose, then set up a meeting with a counselor or academic advisor at your college. At my college, we have an international student advisor, so we can ask about not only majors, but also F1-visa, transfer, housing, internship opportunities, and so on. Also, your majoring professor helps you to register or build a study plan. If you want to have a successful college life, you should ask them! They will always support you.

CONGRATULATIONS! Now you can choose a major!

Have a wonderful time at College!

This blog was contributed by Tourism & Hospitality Management Student Ami Tanaka.

Blooming Onstage

The day of GCC’s 34th annual fashion show, Fata Morgana, is coming up on April 25th. The theme Fata Morgana is inspired by beautiful deserts. However, the direct meaning of a Fata Morgana is a mirage. A mirage changes rapidly and shows us different views, and sometimes may bring unpredictable materials. Similar to a mirage, we will provide individuals with a rapidly changing view as each color of the desert blooms onstage.

For last year’s fashion show, I was in charge of the Front of the House committee. As a part of this committee, I watched and experienced many things. I was amazed to see the world that GCC students were able to create. Now, we’ll be the ones creating, and will provide viewers with a stage set to show a more fabulous world. This year, I am a part of the Front of the House Committee once again, and will support and contribute to the success of the fashion show fully. I am happy to contribute to the stage yet again as a part of this group of fashion students.

Our fashion show is coming in just a couple of weeks, and we are making steady progress in our preparations. The success of the fashion show will be made by not only our efforts, but also the audience member’s reactions while watching the show. Please don’t miss this moment! We look forward to showing you all what we have to offer.

This blog was contributed by Fashion Merchandising Student Kaho Sugisawa.

Four Benefits Of Studying Abroad

In Japan, there are not many universities and colleges, which offer Travel and Tourism as a major. I could only find a few universities, but those were private schools, which were expensive. I really wanted to major in tourism, so I decided to study abroad in the U.S. and came to GCC. While studying abroad, I got many great experiences. So, I want to tell you about them.

1. The Culture

Learning different cultures is one of the best benefits to staying in a foreign country. I am learning American culture while living here. I enjoyed experiencing Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Black Friday. They were good experiences that other Japanese people living in Japan could not do. Also, I realize how much I love my home country of Japan, the culture, food, and the people. I would not have realized it if I did not study abroad. It is very important to see my own culture and country from outside of the country.

2. Making The Most Of The Trip

I enjoy traveling here. I went to Niagara Falls, Toronto, New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Orlando in the 1.5 years that I had been here. Also, I am planning to go to Miami this summer. I never thought I could travel so easily before I came here. If I were in Japan, I could not travel to so many places because it is too far. I plan to travel more until the end of my study abroad.

3. Making New Friends

I am making friends with a variety of different people. If I went to college in Japan, as we all know, there is not much of chance to meet other people and become friends with them. Studying abroad gives me the opportunity to meet many kinds of people. In addition, in a foreign country, we can become close friends with other Japanese students because they have much of the same struggles and share the same feelings. I have many close friends who share thoughts about our future, have fun, eat, drink, and live together. These relationships will continue after we go back to our countries.

4. Family

Studying abroad, I notice the importance of our families. My family supported me through everything. They understand me and welcome letting me go. They support all financial sides and mental sides. They always stay on my side. Sometimes, I miss my family, but I think it is a good time to make sure of the family’s importance. I give thanks for my family more whenever I go back home.

What do you think about studying abroad? Studying abroad brings people many benefits that they will never experience unless they study abroad. Also, there are a lot of opportunities in many ways. It makes your life more meaningful and changes your mind dramatically.

This blog was contributed by Tourism & Hospitality Management Student Yurina Yasutomi.

Genesee Community College Blog

1st hand experiences from GCC students!

International Studies

Harbin – The Pearl on the Swan’s Neck

Fata Morgana: Where Creativities Meet

My GCC Experience

Three Changes I’ve Noticed In myself Since Attending GCC

Online Classes At GCC

Learning Spanish At GCC

Why I Chose To Study At GCC

How To Choose A Major

Blooming Onstage

Four Benefits Of Studying Abroad

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