Spring has come!

 Even though it is still cold outside, spring has come. New school year of Kansai Gaidai officially started on April 12th and many freshmen students seem like they are excited about their new school lives. Not only at Gaidai, but also there are many cherry blossom trees that finally have bloomed around Hirakata city.

 My hometown, Hirosaki city in Aomori prefecture is well known for the cherry blossom festival in Hirosaki castle park. The festival is held every year. This year, it is held from April 23rd to May 5th. According to the website of the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau, there are 2600 cherry blossom trees(50 different kinds) in the park. The first cherry blossom festival in Hirosaki city was held in 1918, so the festival itself has long history. I used to go to a high school which is located very close to the park, therefore, I often went to see cherry blossoms and bought something to eat at the shops appearing in the second picture of the festival. When cherry blossom bloomed and this festival began, I always felt like "Spring finally has came to Hirosaki. The cold winter was gone." I really recommend this festival, if you have chance to travel around Tohoku area.

(Took from Big Chance, Hirosaki Castle)

 Since I saw many freshmen students on the first day of new school year at Gaidai, I interviewed three female freshmen students at school's convenience store. I asked them their first impression of Kansai Gaidai and their goal they want to achieve. The first thing they said was "Every places are crowded at Kansai Gaidai." I totally agree to what they said, because the longest line I have ever seen at this school was formed in school's convenience store on that day I talked to them. They also said "Since there are many exchange students from many countries at Gaidai, this school is like a foreign country." Their future goal is to go to study abroad and improve their English speaking ability. When I recall my first day of Kansai Gaidai University, I was very nervous, because I was the only one who came here from my high school. Of course I did not have any friends. As class starts, I started to talk to students in my class and became friends with them. I was having same goal as the freshmen I talked. I try not to forget the feeling I had when I enter this school and try my best to make my dream comes true.

(Freshmen students I interviewed with)