Q1. Where did you go and how long did you stay for?
I went to Perth for five weeks on an SO program.
Q2. How were your classes in Perth and what’s your goal when it comes to English now?
The classes in Perth were very rewarding because I was able to proactively study to improve my English. By living in an English-speaking country, my listening skills improved, and my comprehension improved. However, I also noticed that my weakness was writing. Moving forward, my goal is to achieve a TOEIC score of 700 or above. Additionally, I would like to become able to speak English fluently with others.
Q3. Tell us a little about your host family?
My host family was very kind, so I was able to enjoy my life abroad, and they also let me experience many cultural differences. My host mother kindly listened to me about my school life and supported me in both my daily and academic life whenever I faced difficulties. Thanks to her support, I was able to live without any anxieties. For example, regarding cultural differences, the dining style was shorter than in Japan, and the main difference was that wheat was the staple food.
Q4. What about your daily life, how was it? What kinds of things did you do?
My daily life allowed me to concentrate on my studies and interact with many different people every day. Outside of school classes, I consistently practiced English through home review, diary writing, and conversations with locals. There was a lot of rich nature, so I was able to enjoy a comfortable, stress-free life. Because the sea was so beautiful, I spent relaxing post-school hours going to the beach to swim or reading along the shore.
Q5. What surprised you about daily life or local culture in Perth and has this changed how you think about things now?
Perhaps because the city has so much nature, I was deeply impressed by how the locals enjoyed themselves so freely in parks and by the sea. Looking at their relaxed atmosphere and unhurried lifestyle was a fresh experience for me. This made me feel that Japan should create more spaces where people can spend peaceful time with nature. At the same time, I would like to relax within my own hectic life back in Japan.
Q6. How has this study abroad experience changed you?
This study abroad experience was a great opportunity for me to rethink my attitude toward studying and realize how big the world is. University students in Perth seemed to have a high motivation for studying. This is because when I visited the university library, I saw so many students studying that self-study spaces were completely filled. They seemed to have a clear sense of why they study and what they want to learn. I also want to gain a lot of knowledge to enrich my life and constantly update my values through interacting with people. That is why I want to study hard and connect with others. Also, since there are still beautiful views I have never seen and people I have never met in the world, I want to take action and see the world with my own eyes.
