in My Own Words by Kanako Fudamonto Exchange student from Kansai Gaidai University Since I came here, already two months have passed, I can't believe it. Time fljpcM ,, Before I left Japan, I was dreaming of life in the United States. Now I m in the United States! This is my first time outside of Japan, so I have not seen other cultures at all. I came here with one friend. Before coming to St An^ draws, we dropped in on Los Angeles and San Francisco. There were alot of 3ccicl6nts First in one hotel, in the early morning,w ater leaped out from a pipe. Se cond, we missed the airplane from Los Angeles to San Fransico because we mistook the counter. We had gone to the wrong airline. When we noticed that we had mistaken the counter, it was only 30 minutes before departure. You know, Los Angeles Airport is huge!! We ran from the end of terminal 3 to terminal 10. It was too late. Fortunatley, one gentleman helped us so we could take the next plane. Third, we did not know there were two bus terminals (first floor and second floor). We missed the last bus from a mall in Los Angeles to our hotel. Fourth, we lost our way in San Francisco because the streets were almost the same for us. Fifth, at one shop, I ordered a "cherry cake” but the waitress gave me a "Cherry Coke." Our English was terrible at first, especially when we ordered room service in one hotel, they could not understand English. I had a lot of ac cidents like these, so I was worrying if I could lead a life in America well. Now I'm getting used to the life here. Since my roommate and other girls picked me up at the airport, people have been very friendly to me. In Japan, people don't talk to unknown people, but here even if they don t know the person at all, they say "hi." Here I found a lot of things which are different. There is no iced coffee, coffee milk (chocolate, milk, and coffee), strawberry milk or bean milk. (0 if there is, people rarely drink them.) Pudding is soft like ice cream. (In Japan, it's hard like jello.) Besides this, I was surprised we can eat cakes, cookies and ice cream-type desserts each meal time. I like sweets very much, but I couldn't eat those sweets so much in Japan. Also, I can't believe the si?e of this college. My college in Japan has about 6500 students but the area is about one tenth of St. Andrews. In America we have space! I'm very happy about it because in Japan I must take a train every day; it's very crowded. The most different hing is the attitude of students taking class. Not only do they listen to the professors speaking; they ask a lot of questions, discuss, and think! In my college, Japanese students are taking a nap, doing V / Photo by Rooney Coffman homework from another class, or talking with friends during class time. Only a few students are studying. I know the reason. Sometimes, these classes are very boring unlike the classes here. Still now I have a problem with my English. For example, one day I wanted to ask my friend if she is bored. However, I asked her "are you boring?" But I'm enjoying staying here very much because I have found a lot of different things. In addition. I'm enjoying talking with my friends. I really feel free here. Also, I have so much space! New Day in SAGA? (ro'Ttinuod from page 1} At the food service conference, college representatives broke up into smaller groups to discuss innovative ideas in college food service. The most well-received idea came from the St. Andrews representatives. Heidi and Deborah suggested that campus clubs and organizations be asked to sponsor theme nights in the cafeteria. Club members could sit down with the food service manager and design a meal to go along with the night's theme. The club could be in charge of decorating the cafeteria. The benefits are two-fold: Food ser vice directors receive a greater varie ty of input as to what students would like to see served, and the club can advertise its organization for virtually no expense. Another very interesting idea was the establishment of an on-campus franchise. Mr. Fairbrook stated that "fast food is the way of the future," and that the fast food trend is not one that the college or its food ser vice can or should ignore. The idea of an on-campus franchise particularly interested the St. Andrews food ser vice reps because of the current stu dent desire for a "hang-out-snack bar." Given St. Andrews success in its land development program and the lack of continuing student sup port for previous on-campus snack bars, the franchise idea is one that should be given serious considera tion. What are the benefits of an on- campus franchise at St. Andrews? First of all, previous snack bars have been geared towards immediate stu dent satisfaction without any real consideration for the long-run. A snack bar has been established, students have been satisfied, and after a while, as student interest dwindles, the snack bar is eventually shut down. In the long run the school loses money. An on-campus fran chise would meet the needs of com muter students, faculty and ad ministration, and of course the residential students. If the college ac tually owned the franchise then there is also the possibility of making a very nice profit. SAGA doesn't have to worry about competition or losing money because students are required to be on food service unless they can pro ve tht SAGA can not provide for special dietary needs. There is also the potential to at tract Laurinburg residents to an on- campus franchise. Many students may not like that idea, however, if "townies" can ride their cars up and down Dogwood Mile and play sports on our fields, why shouldn't we take their money also? Surely area businesspersons do not hesitate to take money from St. Andrews students when they shop in their stores and eat in their restaurants. All of this is food for thought (no pun intended). If you would like to attend a food service meeting please contact one of the eleven committee members about the meeting times. Everyone's involvement is needed if constructive changes are to be made.
