Students who participated in the short-term training program in New Zealand return home

Four students participating in a short-term training program at the University of Waikato in New Zealand completed their two-week training from August 16th and returned to Japan on September 1st.

During the pre-departure orientation, staff from the University of Waikato Japan Office introduced New Zealand's climate, tourist attractions, and the official language, Maori. They also heard about Waikato University and tips for homestays. Through language studies at Waikato University and interactions with host families, students gained a deeper understanding of different cultures and were motivated to further study English.

Here are some comments from the training participants.

・I feel that it was a great experience to be able to experience for myself what kind of food New Zealanders usually eat and what the atmosphere is like. This experience has made me want to study English more. I was very anxious about living in a foreign country where Japanese is not spoken, but now that I have taken the first step and accomplished it, I have gained confidence. I have even been able to set my next goal. (2nd year student, Faculty of Modern Social Studies)

・There were many times when I couldn't keep up with the speed of conversation and couldn't find the words to say, which made me feel anxious and confused. However, as I continued to interact with my host family and classmates, my ears gradually became accustomed to the language, and the necessary expressions began to come out naturally. In particular, the biggest change for me was being able to adopt the attitude of "trying to communicate even if I make mistakes." Achieving practical skills that would have been difficult to acquire through classroom learning alone is a major achievement of this training. (4th year student, Faculty of Modern Social Studies)

- By eating food from a different culture, you can understand the unique seasonings of that country, and by comparing it with Japanese food, you can understand why so many foreigners love Japanese food. I'm not arguing which is better or worse, but I think the real joy of studying abroad is being able to feel these differences and make them your own experience. What's important is to respect the other person and continue to communicate, even if the language, lifestyle, or skin color is different. I think that if you continue to do so, your heart will naturally open up and you will be able to take yourself to a new dimension. (2nd year student Faculty of Architecture & Arts)

・When I arrived at my homestay, my host family welcomed me warmly. At that moment, I felt all the tension I had been feeling eased and my mood lightened up. Before studying abroad, I couldn't speak English at all and was worried about whether I would be able to communicate what I wanted to say, but I was able to communicate well and have a conversation with my host family. It was my first time conversing with someone from another country and I felt a sense of accomplishment, which made me very happy. (4th year student Faculty of Architecture & Arts)

Please utilize the knowledge and experience you gained during your short-term study abroad program in New Zealand in your future language studies and student life. We are here to support your growth.

(Source: Global Center)