I've just finished re-reading the blog posts you've written so far. Reading your responses is not only fun and intersting but also insightful--I've learned a lot by reading what you wrote! I really appreciate the time you take to think about each week's question and the quality of your responses. Again, the blog is a class forum for ideas; students often have different ideas, but each idea is welcome and encouraged.
Next week we are going to start discussing the basics of writing a research paper. Your topic will have to do with some aspect of Montana culture, ecology (the environment, animals, etc.), education, history, and so on.
For this week's blog, I'd like you to start thinking about Montana in general. While this week's question isn't necessarily directly related to the topic that you will research, it will get our minds headed in towards the sign that reads "Montana," if you know what I mean.
This week, I'd like you give your opinion on what you think makes Montana unique compared to other places in the world. You can talk about Montana in general, or you can discuss only Missoula. It's up to you.
Good luck!
Hi Josh and everyone in class.
ReplyDeleteAcually, Missoula is the first place for me to visit ths U.S., so I don't have any idea to compare between Missoula and any other place in the U.S. Therefore, I'll try writing about comparing between Missoula and Tokyo where I'm from.
At first, of corse, Missoula and Tokyo are very different in nature in the city. In Missoula, we have the panorama of moutains and we can see such a beautiful scenery from our dormitory room. In addition, there are pretty clear and beautiful rivers and grasses. In fact, I've never seen such a very green grasses in Japan. As a field trip we had, we can enjoy doing picnic at the river side or somewhere natural. Such an experience alweys makes me refresh and it becomes my energy to do my best for study. In contrst, Tokyo is not natural city. Actually, there are the parks or placs where we can touch nature in Tokyo, however, they aren't really nature. Some of parks are really made by men and it's hard to keep beautiful. We also have the rivers, but they aren't clear, and unfortunately they have a black color.
Second, Missoula and Tokyo have very difeerent point of the way of traffic. In Missoula, almost people use the cars to go out. Many people have the cars, and parking areas are ubiquitous, so this situation seesms very convinient for people. However, it's hard to go out for people who don't have the cars or car licenses, especially for the international students like me. In Missoula, there is bus servicing, but isn't train or subway servincing, so if we don't have the cars or we miss the buses, it's too tough for us to go back. Contrastive to Missoula, subway is really available and usefull for almost people in Tokyo. Of course, many people in Tokyo have their cars, but they usually use subway when they go shopping, working, hanging out and so on. Because there are not so many parking areas, and using subway are cheaper than keeping thier cars, and subway stations are almost ubiquitous in Tokyo.
Thus, we can understand how and what differnces are between Missoula and Tokyo about nature and traffic. You ask me, it's sure that Missoula is not very convinient city for people who don't have their cars like me, however, this is really suitable to enjoy natural beauty and activities. That's why I really want to do outdoor activities in Missoula even though I miss big and busy city like Tokyo.
Thank you.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am concerned, what makes Montana unique compared to other places in the world is the peaceful aura, especially in Missoula. I heard that there are many foreigners here, so it is safer.
ReplyDeleteMissoula looks like a small town rather than a large city. People here are really simple-hearted. I often come across some strangers waving and smiling to me. As a foreigner, they really make me feel warm.
It’s autumn now. I can see fallen leaves anywhere. They seem to be a yellow huge blanket. Sometimes, I just stand in the middle of many fallen leaves and enjoy the smell of nature. Meanwhile, I put everything worried aside. It is really comfortable.
I noticed that the houses here were almost very different from each other. My friend told me that they were built by their hosts. I was very surprised. I admired the residents’ creative thoughts. I think each style shows a kind of character of a person. Living in the houses that were built by themselves must be satisfied life experiences.
In short, Missoula is really attractive. I hope that I could live in such a peaceful town in the future.
Hi.
ReplyDeleteI think two things make Missoula special.
First,geographical feature makes Missoula special. Long time ago,during ice age,Missoula was a lake. Therefore,Missoula is a flatland. If you hike up to the M,you can see beautiful view of Missoula. Even if you don't hike up,you can see this view. I mean, you can go to shops. You may notice that many postcards have this view's picture. Geographical feature is a great point of Missoula. This feature makes Missoula special.
Second, a carousel is Caras park makes Missoula special. There is a beautiful,pretty carousel in Caras park. This carousel was made by donation from Missoula people. Also,many children donated one peny. People helped and designed to create this carousel. Therefore, each horse have individuality; for example,two horses which were made by children have penies on their body. I can say that this carousel is a symbol of Missoula people. I don't think that there is a carousel which was made by citizen. This is an amazing crousel, so I think this carousel makes Missoula special.
Missoula has many good points; however,I think geographical feature and a carousel in Caras park make Missoula special.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI think Montana is a very big state because Montana's size is same as Japan!For the first time, I noticed that I was so surprised. That's why Montana has a lot of good places. I will compare with my city Kyoto.
First, Montana doesn't have a train. In kyoto, there are many trains, so we can go anyplaces without a car.However, in Montana, we need a car to go somewhere, but it is a kind of good point beacuse time is so slow in Montana. If I am in kyoto, I always have to care about time. For example,I alywas cared like "I have to take a subway at 9:10".
Second, Kyoto has many traditional places such as temles and shrins. On the other hand, Montana has big national parks. They are really great points. We can enjoy the places.
Montana and Kyoto have different appealing cultures.
Hello Josh and everyone,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for writing my blog so late because I totally forgot about it.
I believe Missoula is special for beautiful nature and friendly people. I will explain it using my examples.
First, Missoula has really beautiful view of nature. I was really surprised the huge place of the University of Montana. When I first came here, I lost my way many times. Unlike the University of Montana, my Toyo University in Tokyo is quite small. There are so many people in the school; however, there are only 6 buildings, and one building has about 18 floors because of scarcity of area in Tokyo. My university in Tokyo has no place to playing sports or taking naps outside. If we talk loudly in outside the school, the guard man warns us to be quiet because there are so many apartments or houses surrounding my school. Therefore, I really like the style of University of Montana. The buildings are classic and beautiful, and we can take a walk while watching great views of nature. Also, the university has Mt. M on backyard, so we can enjoy hiking easily. Also, we can see wild animals like deer and squirrels, It is really fun to stay with such a wonderful nature.
Next, I found really friendly and kindly people in Missoula. Many people greet each other when they see people in the street. In ELI class, we did bus caper activity to be familiar with using community bus. In the class, our task includes asking people in the street; for example, we should ask where the public library is. However, when our group members were walking the street, the people asked us to help us even though we didn’t ask them. I realized the people in Missoula are really kindly and friendly. Moreover, when I asked about good shop for Halloween costume on the bus, the people were thinking about it and discussing the best Halloween shop for us. I was really surprised, but the conversation made me happy.
In conclusion, the great view of nature and friendly people make Missoula special. I want to introduce the great part of Missoula to many people more.
Thank you,
Hi
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mai!! I think people in Montana is very nice and friendly. Compared with people in Japan, maybe people in Montana is more friendly because every surroundings in Missoula make people feel relax, easy and open mind. When I came to Missoula first time, I didn't know everything about Missoula. For example, I didn't know how iI can take classes, where I can shop or everything.. At that time, I had met many people who helped me nicely. I appreciated their help because otherwise, I'm sure I had hard time. The people helped me were so nice and talking to me slowly to make me easy to understand clearly. It was also helpful because my English wasn't really good. In my opinion, there are many nice people in Missoula because of great nature. As we know, we can enjoy nature in Missoula such us mountain, river, and wildlife. It makes me think that Missoula is more natural and country type compared with another place like city. Therefore, people are very relaxing, no rushing and opening mind. For this reasons, I think people in Missoula is nice, and it makes me Missoula special.
Yui
hey guys
ReplyDeletei have not been i others places and missoula is the firts place a been. but i ca say that is very nice and they have so many things to do different people are friendly and care about others, and have a very good style of humor. also always willing to help and find a solution to problems.In Mexico we dont have that many friendly people or nice places to go but we do have some places where people are nice and you can see the trees and go out.
onother thing is that if you make a mistake the people dont care but they help you so i think that missoula has some thinks like we do in mexico