My First Graduation Ceremony in Japan
2018年3月20日 11時14分３月１３日、日本の中学校の卒業式に初めて出席されたＡＬＴのシェリー先生が、感想を寄せてくださいました。日本の卒業式とアメリカの卒業式の似ている点や違っている点について書かれていて大変興味深いです。ぜひリーディングに挑戦してください。
My First Graduation Ceremony in Japan
The graduation ceremony for Ishigami Junior High School happened on March 13th, 2018. All of the students practiced very hard to make sure the day went smoothly. This was my first time experiencing a graduation in Japan. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences between Japanese and American graduation ceremonies.
I enjoyed the music that was played during the graduation. When the third year students began walking down the aisle, it surprised me to hear a familiar song. In America, this song is played at every graduation from kindergarten to university. Once the students reached their seats, everyone sang the national anthem and the school song. School songs are not as important in America. I don't think my junior high school or high school had one. So it was interesting to see everyone singing the school song together.
Each student was called up to the stage to receive their certificate from the principal. They bowed before and after, and then they quietly left the stage. Everyone was very quiet the entire time. To me, this was the greatest difference between Japanese and American graduations. In America, the audience claps for each student, and when a family hears their own student's name, they stand up and cheer. Sometimes the students dance off the stage because they are so happy.
During Ishigami's ceremony, however, the atmosphere felt much more solemn. While American graduations are celebrations, this graduation was a farewell. It was a way for the teachers and students to say goodbye to the graduates, and for the graduates to say goodbye to the school. I'm sure the students and their families celebrated after the ceremony was finished, but this solemnity was a very new cultural experience for me.
After everyone had received their certificates, there were many heartfelt speeches. Finally, all the students sang a song together for the last time. It was a very moving experience. I enjoyed seeing a new side of Japanese culture. I will miss the third years who have graduated, but I know they will have a fantastic time starting a new journey. Good luck in high school!