It has been a year since I entered college. When I entered college, I decided to try to actively do new things which I had not yet done. Mainly, I did two new things, and I learned valuable lessons from them.
　First, I started taking an English speaking lesson in April. I want to go abroad and learn values and cultures different from Japan, and I want to work with foreign people. For these goals, I need to speak English for everyday conversation and business, so I started English lessons at JWU. JWU’s English classes were more focused on speaking, but the English classes I took in high school were mostly focused on grammar. When I started taking lessons, I only could answer “Yes” when asked a question, so and I was mostly listening to what the teacher was saying. However, I can ask questions to the teacher and say my opinion more clearly now. If I can speak English well, I can express my views to many people around the world, so I want to learn more vocabulary and speak English with more confidence.
　Also, my major is fashion design, so I joined a fashion show, which is an event held in my department. The Department of Clothing and Design holds a fashion show at the school festival every year. I decided to join this event because I had been interested in it ever since I was a high school student. I thought of a theme and designed an outfit. After that, I tried to make the clothing. It was very difficult for me to make what I wanted, but it was a good opportunity to know what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. Moreover, I learned how difficult it is to make things from scratch, but also how fun it is to come up with an idea and try to make it a reality.
　So again, from these experiences, I learned a lot and could share my ideas with more people. I have been enriched through these experiences. Next year, I would like to challenge myself even more and join an event or activity that is held outside of my school. After that, I would like to become a fashion designer and try to live in a foreign country, especially the capital of fashion design: France. I know becoming a fashion designer will not be easy, but I am ready to face the challenge because of my love for fashion.

　私が大学に入学してから早くも一年が経つ。入学したとき、今までに挑戦してこなかったことを積極的に行っていこうと決めていた。主に2つのことに挑戦し学びを得られた。
　1つ目に4月ごろから英会話レッスンを受け始めた。将来海外に行き、日本とは違う価値観や文化に触れてみたい、海外の人と働いてみたいと思っている。そのため日常会話、ビジネスで使える英語を身につけるためにレッスンを受け始めた。最初のころは講師の話を聞くことで精一杯だったが、今では自分から講師に質問をし、質問されたことに自分の意見を付け加えて話すことができるようになった。英語が話せれば多くの人に自分の意見を伝えられるため、これからより一層語彙力をつけ、自信をもって会話できるようになりたい。
　2つ目は被服学科所属のため学科のイベントのファッションショーに参加したことだ。入学前から興味があったので参加することに決めた。デザイナーとしてテーマ、デザインを考えることから始まり実際に生地を選び服の製作を行った。なかなか思い通りのものを作ることができず苦戦したが、自分が何に向いていて、何を苦手とするのか見つけることができ、良い機会となった。また一から物を作ることの大変さや、自分で考えその発想を形にすることのできる楽しさを学ぶことができた。
　こういったことから充実した1年だった。来年度はより一層学外の活動にも挑戦してみたいと考えている。