【国際交流PRアソシエイトからの発信★】スキー体験　

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【国際交流PRアソシエイトからの発信★】スキー体験　

岩手大学では、留学生対象の「フィールドツアー：スキー?スノーボード体験」を開催しています。雪が降らない国の出身であるタイ人留学生のRittさんも参加し楽しんだようです。今回はスキー体験について詳しく説明してくれています。Rittさんのレポートをぜひご一読ください！（言語：英語?タイ語）

【Message from the International Exchaneg PR Associate】

Iwate University offers a "Field Tour: Skiing and Snowboarding Experience" for international students. Ritt, a Thai exchange student from a country where it doesn't snow, also participated and seemed to enjoy it. This time, he explains in detail about the skiing experience. Please read Ritt's report! (Language: English and Thai)

Ski Experience (スキー体験)

When it comes to winter fun in Japan, skiing and snowboarding are at the top of the list! So, when this February rolled around, we international students at Iwate University got the amazing chance to hit the slopes at Appi Ski Resort, Iwate. For many of our international friends from tropical places where snow is just a dream, this was a big deal, and we were excited!

We started our journey bright and early, at 8:00 AM, meeting up at the Student Center A Building at Iwate University. The weather was on our side, with the sun shining down as we boarded the bus. It was all smiles and encouragement as we headed towards the mountains. Even though the snow in Morioka City was starting to melt, up in the mountains, it was still a winter wonderland. Everywhere we looked, there were thick blankets of snow, setting the scene for this terrific day.

Upon arrival at Appi Ski Resort, we received a warm welcome before proceeding to collect our rented ski equipment and change into our ski clothes. Ski suits, complete with shirts, pants, hats, goggles, gloves, and those hefty ski boots--it was a full ensemble! It kept us snug and protected from the chilly wind. Once dressed, it was time to grab our skis and poles and embark on our adventure down the slopes!

Since we had a mix of experience levels among us, some total beginners and some seasoned pros, we split into three groups: A, B, and C. Each group had an instructor to guide us through the day safely. Before we even clipped into our skis, we warmed up with some stretches to get our muscles ready. Then came the complicated part: getting those ski boots on and locked into the skis! With a bit of practice, we all managed to get them on comfortably.

For the newbies, it was all about learning the basics. Our ski instructor showed us how to stop. It is essential for avoiding any crashes! Your leg with your skis should pose in a triangle shape as a pizza slice, digging the edges into the snow to slow down. Then, we moved on to turning by bending our knees on the opposite side of the direction we wanted to go. It took a few tries, but soon we were feeling more confident controlling our speed as we cruised down the slopes.

Meanwhile, the more experienced skiers in our group headed straight for the chairlift to tackle the higher slopes. The thrill of zooming down the mountainside was written all over their faces! Even though there were a few tumbles along the way, everyone was having a great time, enjoying the excitement of this extreme sport.

I had quite a few falls while skiing this time, but falling while skiing is perfectly normal. Thankfully, the snow provides excellent support for your body, so it's not much of an issue. It's similar to learning a new concept; falling is part of the process, but what's important is getting back up. Through repeated falls and recoveries, one naturally improves at skiing. Life often follows the same pattern of learning and resilience.

Thanks to the Iwate University International Office, we got to experience the joy of skiing in the winter wonderland. For many of us, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we're so grateful for the memories made. If you ever get the chance to try winter sports, don't hesitate to join. It will be a great experience you won't forget!

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