Carbondale is colder than my hometown. I had three days off because of ice. I have never experienced such a thing, so I was surprised and happy. However, I really don’t need three days off, and one day was enough for me. After the day off, my class was very hard and I had three presentations in a week. A thunderstorm and ice storm hit Carbondale, and it was scare for me. Next, I have felt that spring is coming, recently. Sometimes the wind is hard but sunlight is warm and bright. The sky is pretty blue, so I am in high spirits. Although I like spring in Carbondale, I like it in Japan more, because there are many cherry trees in Japan. I miss them, and I miss an event where that people enjoy eating and drinking under the cherry trees.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Carbondale
There are many reasons that made me decide to live in Carbondale. One of them is the nature. When I was in my home country, I downloaded Google Earth program on my PC; then I found Carbondale. I saw trees, lakes and the green land. It was very nice to me. When I came here, I found that Carbondale was more beautiful than what I thought. It has the most beautiful waterfall I ever saw. Furthermore, I did not think that Carbondale has high trees. In addition, the weather is very nice to me, except on the snowing days. The only one I did not like in Carbondale is snowing days. I will not forget how much those days are difficult to me, especially in the morning, when I leave my home and spend at least half hour to remove the snow from my car.
Carbondale
First of all, my family and I travel to Florida every year in the summer time, specifically to Orlando, and I do not have enough information about other places in United States. Finally I was planning to study in the USA and my friends recommended I should study in that town called Carbondale, a small college town which is nice, and when I arrived in this town I was surprised because it is really a small college town, it doesn't look like other places because it is a very quiet town with a nice view of many kinds of trees and beautiful weather, and it is very different from other places in United States. In the end I really appreciate it because it is cheaper than other places and people are friendly, because most of the people are students. After two months passed, this was my first impression of Carbondale.
Carbondale
What makes me surprised in Carbondale is the weather. It changes a lot and quickly. Yesterday, it was very warm like spring. However, it is very cold today. We need a thick coat to go to class. Snow is also different. It is like sleet. For another example, if it is very nice weather in the morning, it starts raining suddenly in the afternoon. The weather may be one kind of extreme weather. I am from Japan. Japanese weather is not like that of Carbondale. Therefore, I am surprised at the weather here.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Carbondale
In the past, when I came to Carbondale, I thought that it was small city and I did not like it very much, because it was smaller and calmer than what I expected. In addition, it seemed to me that it was an old city. Most of times, in the evening, it was hard for you to see somebody walk or drive a car. On the other hand, in Riyadh where I am from, it is the capital city of Saudi Arabia, a big city and crowded. That means, you can find people any time you want, even in the evening. So I am trying to change my life style. First, I have time for sleeping. Second, I am trying to not take a nap during a day. So it is difficult to deal with a small city, but I have to do it.
Carbondale
EAP2
Airi Murasaki
3/20/2008
Carbondale
My first impression of Carbondale is nice for me, because I saw the entire atmosphere of this town for the first time. For example, a lot of nature is here, people are friendly, everyone is speaking English, and it is expansive. I remember that I was so excited to live here, although people said Carbondale is boring. I was growing up in the countryside in Japan. That is why I have no problem studying and enjoying Carbondale. However, I found that Carbondale is little inconvenient for us to go to wherever, because I don’t have a car and this place has no train like Japan. However, I like to find a lot of small fun. I think that Carbondale is more interesting for me now. I could have a lot of friends and know how people live, study, and have fun. I want to go hiking to in Giant City State Park, see a lot of lakes, and visit small stores. In conclusion, I am learning about different culture every moment. I will explore in Carbondale more. I like Carbondale.
My first impression of Carbondale
When I arrived in Carbondale the first day, everything was strange for me, such as buildings, people, streets, and foods. Because of time change, I could not eat anything when the mealtime was coming. I felt I could not get used to living here. I kept asking myself why I came to Carbondale. I did not like to go out because the environment was not the one that I was used to being in. I really did not like this kind of feeling. I hoped this feeling could be gone as soon as possible. Thus, I tried to go out and meet some friends. They took me to go around Carbondale and introduce me to the difference between Carbondale and my hometown. After a week, I got used to living here. I liked this place because it was not as crowded as a big city and people were friendly to me.
Carbondale
I arrived here on August, 2007. In my first impression, I thought that I have come to quiet countryside place. However, I longed for a foreign life. So, even though that was in the countryside, that was fine for me. I worried about life, such as foods, friends, or school. Now, I have lived here for about eight months already, and I leave here in May. I can not believe the fact that I have lived here for a long time. On weekends, I used to go to several bars or friends' houses. Specially, what I am impressed is Halloween. On Halloween, we all wore costumes, and we went to a bar. There were a lot of people who had costumes. It was a first time experience of Halloween for me, so I had a really great time. That is why I enjoyed Carbondale life. I met many people, and made many friends fortunately. After two months, I will miss Carbondale, fiends, teachers and all people who I met.
First impression of Carbondale
The first thing is that Carbondale is dark in the evening and night. When I arrived in Carbondale, it was evening. Outside was pretty dark, so I couldn’t see anything in the car. I knew Carbondale was a small town but I surprised it didn't have many lights. I thought it could be dangerous when someone drove in the night. Actually, I came from Seoul which is the biggest city in Korea. Seoul has a bunch of neon signs and lights, so even at night, it’s not as dark as Carbondale.
Another is people are really friendly to foreign people. Many people who I met like to talk with me. They want to know about my culture. Moreover, I met good American roommate, friends and teachers. I heard SIU has many international students, so people have gotten used to meeting foreigners. And they want many international people to have a good experience in Carbondale. As they wish I’ve had great life in Carbondale. I really like this small town.
My first impression of Carbondale
Carbondale is totally different from where I’m used to living. I was living in the second biggest city in Japan, so I never worried about transportation. However, I have to worry about that all the time in Carbondale, because shuttle buses come just once an hour. I couldn’t believe it at first. I thought Carbondale would be adequate to spend a rural life, but it wasn’t. There are many bars for university students, and there are many drunken people every weekend. There are many drunken people in my home country in Japan, especially on weekends, but not as here. I was surprised at first, but not anymore, and I enjoy it now. Usually people in Carbondale are kind, friendly, and helpful. My first impression was completely wrong, but I like Carbondale except for its transportation systems.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Carbondale
What was your first impression of Carbondale?
“Amazing” is the only word to describe Carbondale, because it is equipped with a natural environment around the school. There is not only a charming landscape but also wild animals outside the school. I also can immerse myself to enjoy the fresh air-a key to unlock the door of study. Studying in Carbondale, therefore, will lay a significant foundation to sharpen my English, to fortify my health, and to broaden my horizon.
Following the gorgeous landscape, the teachers who teach in CESL are so kind and professional. They reveal many interesting characteristics to hold my attention in leash.To learn English in Carbondale stimulates my thinking and gives me more freedom than in Taiwan. It actually bridges the gap between test and practice. I will open a new chapter to learn English, to make International friends, and to apply for graduate school.
Carbondale
Carbondale: first impression of Carbondale
I came from Kyoto in Japan. My hometown is a pretty big and traditional city in Japan. I live in the city. Many cars, taxi, buses, subways, public trains, big sightseeing buses, business buildings, and big hotels are very close to my home. I can go to these places by bicycle very easily. I have a driver's license, but I seldom drive in my hometown. I’m still scared to drive, because traffic and directions are very complicated in the city and people are very busy. Also, it’s hard to find a parking lot and it is expensive to park a car. On the other hand, Carbondale is part of the countryside to me. I have heard “Carbondale has nothing to do,” “Carbondale is very boring,” and “This is not America.” The bus is only a shuttle bus in this area, and the way to get to another farther place is Amtrak or Greyhound bus. Many students have their own car, and students and many teachers come to school by car. People in Carbondale drive anywhere. They don’t take transportation. I thought it was troublesome to me when I came here first, because I don’t have a car. I have to take train or plane when I go somewhere from here in the U.S. However, there are many natural sights here and you can go to places such as mountains, rivers, and waterfalls easily. This point is very nice and I like it. Also, people are friendly. They don’t seem busy.
Carbondale is good to a family with children
When I came here I got the first impression that Carbondale was a very beautiful place and I thought the people were very nice and kind. Some people indicated that is such a small town, but I don't think so. Most of all, this is good for living with children for several reasons compared to the city I have lived in.
At first, this is safer than a big city. Second, there are so many good daycare centers and schools children can go to. Third, the cost of living is cheaper than in the city that I have lived in. Finally, although Carbondale is a small town we can experience various cultures if we want. For example, there are many people who came from other countries, and there are places to travel to near Carbondale. Because of these points, I think coming here is the best choice for me. Carbondale is attractive to a family with children.
Fluency Exercise
EAP2 WW
Fluency Exercise #1
Thomas Leverett
Brice Danvide
Carbondale
1. What was your first impression of Carbondale? How is it different from what you’re used to?
My first impression when I’ve reached Carbondale was quite unsure. So when I started to know a little bit around and how things work, I said to myself that this place is boring. Carbondale is a quiet city where you can have peace all day long and concentrate on what you want to do. It is a good place for study and you can even concentrate yourself more than in other big cities. Carbondale compared to other big cities like Chicago or New York is too quiet, and the influence of drug dealers and bad influences are not the same, because Carbondale is very quiet and everybody in some other way knows each other. In some words, I will say now that Carbondale is different from where I used to live. My country Benin, is a small country where you can never be bored. I mean in Benin, there is always something to make you move and find friends to hang out with. Benin is a very good place like Carbondale but the difference is how the city works and when people are bored, they can have fun in some place in that city. From now going on, I can say that Carbondale is also a good place to study and even to have fun. When you meet new friends and have someone to talk to, then you can have fun on your own! The first impression was finally revealed to be true after two months passed in Carbondale.
Carbondale
People who think about living in the U.S.A. usually imagine busy and crowded people like New York. I thought the same way as people usually think about America. When I was in Carbondale, however, it was wrong. The silence and the few people in the street made me change my image of the U.S.A. There are many people who pursue time to make their work in Korea, so most of them always feel unhappy in their life, because they always feel lack of time, but many people in Carbondale seem to be very comfortable in their life. No traffic is here, and no cutting in line is here. Everything is like peaceful in Carbondale. Very green trees and lakes give me refreshment. Furthermore, I may be able to fish in the lake. Sometimes I feel afraid of spending time here because if I am really used to living here, I will have to fit myself into Korea again. However, I am not going to forget life in Carbondale in my life, even though my life will change completely.
Carbondale
CARBONDALE
The first time I came to Carbondale I was wondering how friendly people were and who my friends would be in class. I also wondered if my English was going to work in a real English situation. In my opinion, Carbondale is a very small city, quiet and friendly. As a student I feel very good because the city is not big and there are not a lot of cars and no noise, above all. Before coming to Carbondale I was looking for some information about Carbondale on the internet and my first impression was that the city was very small and most of its students came from Chicago, which is six hours by train. Many things have changed since I came to Carbondale. First, I don’t have many friends and have to spend all the time in my room after class. I consider making friends in very difficult to do. Nevertheless I am doing my best to get a long with my new life. Secondly, in my country after school, you normally visit some friends or they visit you. Then you spend a great deal of your time talking and sharing with people. Friends also like to go biking or jogging. By now my main goal is to improve my English skills and to beat the TOEFL test, and finally be accepted into a TESOL master’s program.
Student: Julio Roa
My First Impression of Carbondale
The first time I came to Carbondale, I felt that it was very similar to my hometown, Chiang Mai. Carbondale is a small town and people are very kind like where I used to live before. It is especially true when I drive a car. People drive a car more politely than people do in my country. Drivers don’t drive too close to other cars. I haven’t seen an accident on the way to school. Carbondale also has a good environment that has a lot of trees everywhere. I don’t like to live in very big cites that have only tall buildings. I am always allergic when I am in the big city that has pollution, but I have never got sick here. Moreover, Carbondale has many Asian restaurants such as Kaya (Korean Restaurant) and Thai Taste (Thai restaurant). One of my problems is I can’t eat American food, so I really love to go to these restaurants more than eat American fast food. I don’t have to change myself a lot when I live here. I think Carbondale is pretty similar to the place that I used to live.
My First Impression of Carbondale
When I arrived in Carbondale, I thought Carbondale was very American. There are many Americans, and it’s very clean; however, it’s very inconvenient if I don’t have a car. Everything is same as what I thought about America. However, I found out soon that Carbondale is very small and boring. It is a town just for its university. Every day there are the same things I can do. Some people say Carbondale is good for study because there are no temptations. That’s right, but something is not enough. I came to America to study English and culture. I have learned many things about American people in Carborndale, but I’m not sure it’s American culture. So I think I need to travel to another city in America.
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