First Impressions, Senior Centers in Berkeley

I would like to introduce three sites in Berkeley, which I visited on the first internship. One of sites is North Berkeley Senior Center. That is located by Trader Joe’s where I often go to purchase some ingredients. That meant the site was near YMCA in which I am living. At first, I thought it would be easy to get there. On entering the building, visitors were supposed to sign in each their name. While I did it, two seniors talked to Japanese students including me. They had been studying Italian at the senior center because there is an Italian class there. The senior center had not only that class but also a dancing class and a painting class. It seemed that whoever wants to join to the classes would be allowed to do, regardless of whether he is or isn’t a senior. I want to take the Italy class. Furthermore the building had a TV room. I liked there because that room was quite calm. In my opinion, North Berkeley Senior Center had many systems to let seniors enjoy. They had not only enjoyable rooms but calm rooms.

Another site is West Berkeley Senior Center which is on 4^th street. There were many shops nearby. I would go shopping several times after the internships. Josephine who works there introduced that senior center to Japanese students, and she gave a explanation about the center. That center had a meal of wheels. Seniors could eat each of the meals and talk to each other there. They could also use a computer because there was a room for using the computer. However, there weren’t any new computers, but only older ones. A man who was using a computer talked to Japanese students. I don’t know why he uses the computer usually, so I will ask him next time. Also, that senior center has a garden. When I went there, two American was standing in the garden. One gave me a hug as a greeting. I think people who come there is friendly. I came to want to talk with them again.

The other site is YMCA. They have a gym in which there are exercising classes and a pool. Actually, I can use those for free because I am living in YMCA. They allow everyone who lives there to receive those services. I used to go to that gym to lose weight. Many seniors were swimming or exercising when I went to exercise. Of course, there were not only seniors, but younger people. In addition, it seems that somebody invited seniors to tea parties at YMCA while Japanese student attended their classes, and I am going to join to the parties as part of internship. I am looking forward to taking with seniors at the parties. I have a feeling that I can improve my English skill through the internship. However I have to keep it in my mind that it depends on me to go well. I will make a great effort to improve my English skill.