What did happen in Syria?

   What happened in Syria is very serious and important news in the world. In addition, I think we should know about the situation of the Middle Eastern countries today, so I chose this topic.
 
  Then,  what is happening in Syria now? Why is this event so pivotal?
  The conflict in Syria began in March 2011 as a pro-democracy movement, like other Arab Spring uprisings. Syria is the only Middle Eastern country that has a majority Sunni population but is ruled by a Shiite minority. I think this complexity of Syria's regime makes this event more serious . Also, because of participation of some countries around Syria in this civil war, this war is made more complicated. In order to understand what is happening in Syria well, I think it is essential to know the history of the Middle Eastern countries, or what happened in the past there.

  I think expanding of polio is more critical in Syria. In a refugee camp, aid workers cannot guarantee to keep the camp clean, so they do not have any means to protect children against polio or any other diseases. Besides these insanitary surroundings, aid workers' safety is not guaranteed, so they cannot go to where people are asking for relief. These are main reason why polio expanded so rapidly. When I reading this article, I surprised that polio was eradicated in Syria 14 years ago. This means that polio was brought from other countries by foreign fighters. I think it is outrageous to involve people, especially children, who hope to live peaceful lives.

  I would like to learn about the Middle Eastern countries more to understand the situation.

Is money the appropriate unit?

  I think money is one of the most rational ways to exchange something, for example, wages or a salary for one's work, or a fare for bus or train, because it is ordinary difficult to barter what we want each other. However, today we can pay money by using IC cards, so the day when we do not have to carry cash will come someday. I think it is more rational to carry IC cards instead of cash to pay.

Reaction to the lecture from Dr.Paul Wadden.

  I watched the video clip of the lecture from Dr. Paul Wadden, and this is my reaction to it.

  I learned that there are a lot of similarities and differences between universities in the U.S. and universities in Japan through this lecture. Also, I understood why Dr. Paul Wadden said that ICU is a hybrid university.

  He said that the most fundamental similarity between universities in the U.S. and Japan is functions of universities. For example, universities prepare students for white-collar careers in business, government, law or medicine.  In addition, they train students to become leaders. However, I think that they are incidental functions. Certainly, it is important to get jobs after their graduation for most people, but I think that it is not main function of universities. To me, the most important function of university is, of course, to learn whatever I want, so I am not thinking about my future seriously right now. But to study hard will result in to make us possible to get "good" jobs, so in a sense, it is the main function of university to prepare students for white-collar careers in business.

  There are more differences than similarities between them.
   First, although it is easy to enter universities, it is very hard to graduate in the U.S., but in Japan, there is the opposite situation. I was surprised that half of students in the U.S. cannot finish universities in six years. Compared with it, 90 percent of Japanese students can finish them on time. I could understand the meaning of "like an escalator" that Dr.Paul said.
  Second, he said that there is great freedom in the U.S. university but not in Japanese university. American or Canadian university students can change their department, major, even university, or to transfer more easily than Japanese students.

  He said that ICU is a hybrid university. ICU has some similarities and differences with Japanese universities. For example, ICU students are offered many choices for major and classes. I think it is a strong point of ICU. In addition, ICU students have more homework than the rest of Japanese university, but less than university in the U.S. We have to study hard to graduate from ICU. I think it is important to study hard during our four years in universities.

  He said that ICU has good points of Japanese and the U.S. and I agree with him. So I would like to take advantage of this opportunity.

  I enjoyed listening this lecture, and learned lots of things about universities and ICU. His words that not to accept his idea remain in my mind.

Actions speak louder than words

Actions speak louder than words

meaning: 
 This proverb means that what you do is more important than what you say. It means that your action may persuade other people more than your saying. No matter how long you talks, unless you can give them a impression, they don't understand completely. If you promise something people might not actually believe you until they see you actually do it.

story: 
 There is a person who is the leader of his team or group, and who want others to do something. but he is not good at ordering his teammate to do something, so he cannot  make them understood what he wants to do. He doesn't know how to act as leader, so he decides to do his work harder any other people.Then, they  follow him and understand what he wants to do. He realize that it is important to tell some messages to own teammates by his action rather than his statement. 

What is the perfect leader?

What is the definition of a perfect leader? Here is my stab at it.

・She does her best to do anything with other people in the group. She does not just looking and ordering them to do something.
・He is always more diligent than everyone in the group. Rather than he does so with an idea that they will follow him, he always works diligently so they follow him.
・She can consider other people's feelings and situations, and if someone is in trouble, she helps him or her immediately. she is a person who can consider the result of the whole group.
・He always communicates with members of his group frequently to keep relationships between he and the other members. Also, he never forget to keep good relationships between members in his group in order to do anything smoothly.
・She never blames a member for his or her mistake or failure. If there is some problem, she manages to solve the problem with him or her.
・He is always active and bold. He is not afraid of making mistakes, so he can keep trying.