- Asia University
- Study abroad/international exchange
- Voices of students who have studied abroad
- Testimonials/Study Abroad Outcomes (AUAP)
Testimonials/Study Abroad Outcomes (AUAP)
AUAP
Asia University America Program
AUAP
Asia University America Program
ETO Seiya
(Faculty of International Relations Department of Multicultural Communication)
Destination: Central Washington University (CWU)
Destination: Central Washington University (CWU)
The main reason I joined AUAP was because I had always dreamed of living in America. I had the habit of watching foreign movies and overseas programs such as the Disney Channel with my parents since I was a child, and before I knew it, I was fascinated by the world on the screen. I was very interested in the lifestyle and culture different from Japan, and I still vividly remember feeling that I wanted to live a similar life someday, even though I was young. When I was a first-year high school student, I went to Australia for a short-term study abroad program, but I was overwhelmed by the native English I was hearing for the first time, and at the time, I could only say "Yes" or "No". I decided to join AUAP with the determination to "study abroad again and talk to more local people!"
At CWU, there are an average of three classes per day, all of which are conducted in English, of course. At first, I was often confused and could barely keep up with the classes, but I thought, "It would be a waste to give up after coming to study abroad!" and made an effort to ask questions immediately if I had any doubts. Through my study abroad experience, I realized that in America, if you don't properly communicate your intentions to those around you, they won't understand them like Japanese people do. It was also good that local students volunteered in the classes, creating an atmosphere where it was easier to ask questions. In addition, I had the opportunity to learn more formal English by making presentations almost every week and experiencing something like a simulated job-hunting session.
After class, I would do my homework, go downtown, and spend time with the CWU students. There were days when I did the Only Speaking English Challenge with fellow AUAP students, and I made friends just for myself, so I always tried to create opportunities to be exposed to English as much as possible. When I arrived at CWU, I could only speak broken English and didn't understand what the people around me were saying, but before I knew it, my ears had gotten used to it, and when I was able to immediately respond to questions in English, I felt a deep sense of my own growth and was filled with joy.
I was also interested in drawing, so I found the time to draw and exhibited my work in a local gallery. I didn't win any awards, but I had never had anyone see my work before, so it was a great opportunity.
I often went out on my own on weekends, and made several trips to Seattle and Canada to practice the English I had learned. Of course, I was worried about traveling alone, but I found meaning in traveling on my own without any help and enjoyed it more than anything. I really enjoyed exploring unfamiliar territory on my own two feet and making new discoveries that were different from Japan. Among those experiences, I happened to visit a second-hand clothing store and became friends with a clerk there. We still keep in touch and exchange fashion advice, which I think was a great encounter.
The experience I gained at AUAP was an irreplaceable treasure and a major turning point in my life. On the other hand, it made me realize how poor my English skills were, and it was an opportunity to realize my current level of English ability and discover future challenges. Asia University has many other study abroad programs, and I am currently considering participating in AUEP and the "Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN" program, which is supported by a public-private partnership. Not satisfied with my current situation, I will continue to study English and take on new challenges using my experience at AUAP.
At CWU, there are an average of three classes per day, all of which are conducted in English, of course. At first, I was often confused and could barely keep up with the classes, but I thought, "It would be a waste to give up after coming to study abroad!" and made an effort to ask questions immediately if I had any doubts. Through my study abroad experience, I realized that in America, if you don't properly communicate your intentions to those around you, they won't understand them like Japanese people do. It was also good that local students volunteered in the classes, creating an atmosphere where it was easier to ask questions. In addition, I had the opportunity to learn more formal English by making presentations almost every week and experiencing something like a simulated job-hunting session.
After class, I would do my homework, go downtown, and spend time with the CWU students. There were days when I did the Only Speaking English Challenge with fellow AUAP students, and I made friends just for myself, so I always tried to create opportunities to be exposed to English as much as possible. When I arrived at CWU, I could only speak broken English and didn't understand what the people around me were saying, but before I knew it, my ears had gotten used to it, and when I was able to immediately respond to questions in English, I felt a deep sense of my own growth and was filled with joy.
I was also interested in drawing, so I found the time to draw and exhibited my work in a local gallery. I didn't win any awards, but I had never had anyone see my work before, so it was a great opportunity.I often went out on my own on weekends, and made several trips to Seattle and Canada to practice the English I had learned. Of course, I was worried about traveling alone, but I found meaning in traveling on my own without any help and enjoyed it more than anything. I really enjoyed exploring unfamiliar territory on my own two feet and making new discoveries that were different from Japan. Among those experiences, I happened to visit a second-hand clothing store and became friends with a clerk there. We still keep in touch and exchange fashion advice, which I think was a great encounter.
The experience I gained at AUAP was an irreplaceable treasure and a major turning point in my life. On the other hand, it made me realize how poor my English skills were, and it was an opportunity to realize my current level of English ability and discover future challenges. Asia University has many other study abroad programs, and I am currently considering participating in AUEP and the "Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN" program, which is supported by a public-private partnership. Not satisfied with my current situation, I will continue to study English and take on new challenges using my experience at AUAP.
Reina Hashimoto
(Faculty of Faculty of Business Administration Department of Business Administration)
Destination: Eastern Washington University (EWU)
Destination: Eastern Washington University (EWU)
The reason I decided to study abroad was because I had such light-hearted thoughts and aspirations: "It seems like it would be fun" and "Studying abroad is cool." I myself was not very good at English to begin with, and even had a strong feeling that I was not good at it. When I thought of studying abroad, I had a prejudice that only people who are smart and originally good at English could go. However, when I found out about AUAP, I felt like studying abroad, which had always seemed so far away, was right there, and if I just had the courage, I could go and study abroad, which is what I had always dreamed of! I decided to do my best.
At first, the locals spoke English so quickly that I couldn't understand anything, and I managed to get by with a polite smile. However, whenever we seemed to have trouble understanding something in class, the local volunteer students who came to class would carefully explain it to us in an easy-to-understand way, and would say, "If you don't understand, you can ask as many times as you like." From then on, whether in class or outside of class, when I wasn't understood, I didn't give up and use a translator right away, but instead tried to communicate with my own strength. The locals' responses were so strong that we Japanese thought they were angry, but in fact they were not at all, and everyone listened to us, trying to understand our poor English. On the other hand, when we didn't understand English, they would rephrase it into simple words or speak slowly so that we could understand. Living like this, I almost no longer had any fear of listening to or speaking English.
Also, my five months of living in America were all memorable, and it's hard to choose the best one, but I planned and cooked dinner menus, laughed with everyone almost every day, went to various places, and saw various scenery. I also went camping in a place with no lights, and took a 6-night, 7-day trip during summer vacation, and experienced so many things that I couldn't experience in Japan. In particular, the sky in Cheney, where EWU is located, is very wide, the sunsets and sunrises are beautiful, and you can see so many stars that you think they might fall, but when I saw the aurora for the first time in my life in that vast sky, I was moved in a way that I can't put into words. There were many things I experienced for the first time in my life, and I was very anxious at first, but my excitement grew even more than that, and now I'm really glad that I was able to study abroad.
I think that studying abroad has greatly changed my way of thinking and broadened my horizons. There are people from many different countries in America, and there are many different ways of thinking. Also, there are a surprising number of people for whom English is a second language, and sometimes I even had the opportunity to learn Spanish. The five months I spent in that environment have left a strong impression on my life. I would like to continue to take on many challenges and have a lot of fun. In the future, I would like to get a job that allows me to interact with people from overseas.
At first, the locals spoke English so quickly that I couldn't understand anything, and I managed to get by with a polite smile. However, whenever we seemed to have trouble understanding something in class, the local volunteer students who came to class would carefully explain it to us in an easy-to-understand way, and would say, "If you don't understand, you can ask as many times as you like." From then on, whether in class or outside of class, when I wasn't understood, I didn't give up and use a translator right away, but instead tried to communicate with my own strength. The locals' responses were so strong that we Japanese thought they were angry, but in fact they were not at all, and everyone listened to us, trying to understand our poor English. On the other hand, when we didn't understand English, they would rephrase it into simple words or speak slowly so that we could understand. Living like this, I almost no longer had any fear of listening to or speaking English.
Also, my five months of living in America were all memorable, and it's hard to choose the best one, but I planned and cooked dinner menus, laughed with everyone almost every day, went to various places, and saw various scenery. I also went camping in a place with no lights, and took a 6-night, 7-day trip during summer vacation, and experienced so many things that I couldn't experience in Japan. In particular, the sky in Cheney, where EWU is located, is very wide, the sunsets and sunrises are beautiful, and you can see so many stars that you think they might fall, but when I saw the aurora for the first time in my life in that vast sky, I was moved in a way that I can't put into words. There were many things I experienced for the first time in my life, and I was very anxious at first, but my excitement grew even more than that, and now I'm really glad that I was able to study abroad.I think that studying abroad has greatly changed my way of thinking and broadened my horizons. There are people from many different countries in America, and there are many different ways of thinking. Also, there are a surprising number of people for whom English is a second language, and sometimes I even had the opportunity to learn Spanish. The five months I spent in that environment have left a strong impression on my life. I would like to continue to take on many challenges and have a lot of fun. In the future, I would like to get a job that allows me to interact with people from overseas.
ISHII Sesena
(Faculty Faculty of International Relations Department of International Relations)
Destination: Central Washington University (CWU)
Destination: Central Washington University (CWU)
The reason I joined AUAP was because I wanted to improve my English and communication skills and gain confidence by being able to converse with people from other countries. I also wanted to have experiences that my friends around me had not had. I wanted to change myself by making friends who speak different languages in an unfamiliar place and experiencing various things that I could not do in Japan. When I was in Japan, I always hid my opinions and feelings, cared too much about other people's expressions and moods, and mostly did things because my friends did. I had the image that Americans are self-centered and can clearly communicate their opinions to others, and I had a strong admiration for that style. So I decided to join AUAP in order to change myself in America.
While I was there, I was able to make many friends by actively participating in various events and volunteer work. In class, I made a conscious effort to ask questions when I didn't understand something and to voice my impressions and opinions, even if only a little. Most of the classes were group work, and listening, reading, speaking, and writing were all done in English, so it was very difficult at first, but the teachers at AUAP explained things until I understood, and created an atmosphere where it was easy to speak up and ask questions. Every day of class was interesting and I had a lot of fun. At first, I used translation tools for everything I did when working on assignments, but gradually I was able to write long sentences without using them at all.
After school, I would gather with many local friends in the lobby of the dormitory and watch foreign movies, play video games, and play billiards. We also shared assignments and asked questions when we didn't understand something, and they also helped me practice presentations and prepare for tests. My best memory of all of this is the volleyball team. CWU students formed a team and participated in an event where they played in a tournament. For that reason, I practiced volleyball at the gym every day. I was able to meet so many friends that I could say that most of them were made thanks to volleyball. During my study abroad, there were times when the assignments were difficult or I felt down, but thanks to my friends, I was able to solve them, gain new values from the local people, and grow into a stronger version of myself.
After studying abroad, I watch YouTube with English subtitles to maintain my English skills, use LINE and DM with my friends at CWU every day, and make regular video calls so that I don't go a day without using English. I also applied for volunteer work and events where I can interact with people from overseas. My future goals are to improve my TOEIC score and find a job that allows me to utilize the experience I gained studying abroad, and to work hard at job hunting by making the most of the experience I gained studying abroad.
While I was there, I was able to make many friends by actively participating in various events and volunteer work. In class, I made a conscious effort to ask questions when I didn't understand something and to voice my impressions and opinions, even if only a little. Most of the classes were group work, and listening, reading, speaking, and writing were all done in English, so it was very difficult at first, but the teachers at AUAP explained things until I understood, and created an atmosphere where it was easy to speak up and ask questions. Every day of class was interesting and I had a lot of fun. At first, I used translation tools for everything I did when working on assignments, but gradually I was able to write long sentences without using them at all.
After school, I would gather with many local friends in the lobby of the dormitory and watch foreign movies, play video games, and play billiards. We also shared assignments and asked questions when we didn't understand something, and they also helped me practice presentations and prepare for tests. My best memory of all of this is the volleyball team. CWU students formed a team and participated in an event where they played in a tournament. For that reason, I practiced volleyball at the gym every day. I was able to meet so many friends that I could say that most of them were made thanks to volleyball. During my study abroad, there were times when the assignments were difficult or I felt down, but thanks to my friends, I was able to solve them, gain new values from the local people, and grow into a stronger version of myself.After studying abroad, I watch YouTube with English subtitles to maintain my English skills, use LINE and DM with my friends at CWU every day, and make regular video calls so that I don't go a day without using English. I also applied for volunteer work and events where I can interact with people from overseas. My future goals are to improve my TOEIC score and find a job that allows me to utilize the experience I gained studying abroad, and to work hard at job hunting by making the most of the experience I gained studying abroad.
Hanaka Takahashi
(Faculty Faculty of International Relations Department of International Relations)
Destination: Eastern Washington University (EWU)
Destination: Eastern Washington University (EWU)
First, I would like to introduce my thoughts about studying abroad. In my first year of elementary school, I started going to an English conversation cram school taught by an American teacher. From there, I developed a love for English and became interested in foreign cultures and languages. I then went on to a local high school, and in my first year of high school, I was sent on a study trip to a small town in Canada that is a sister city of my town. This experience inspired me to study abroad in Canada for a year in my second year of high school, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my plan was canceled just before I could obtain a visa. Therefore, with a strong desire to study abroad in an English-speaking country in college, I joined AUAP.
When I decided to study abroad, there was no particular reason why I chose EWU from the three Washington universities, but now I think from the bottom of my heart that I am really glad that I chose EWU. The facilities on campus are more than sufficient, and it takes about 30 minutes to get to the nearest downtown. And the best thing about it is that there are many events at the university and the dormitory, making it easy to make friends. We started studying abroad in September, and since it was the same time that the new first-year students were entering EWU, we participated in a grand welcome party for new students held at the stadium on campus. Also, although the town of Cheney, where EWU is located, is a small town, the whole town participated in an event called "Homecoming," and we were able to expand our connections not only with students but also with local people.
In addition, I also took regular classes at EWU with local students. Before joining AUAP, I had studied abroad in Malaysia for two months with AUGP, and I wanted to study using English rather than studying English. Thanks to the support of the EWU teachers, I was able to participate in classes on "African American History," "Spanish," and "Piano." I was overwhelmed by the difference in values and the teaching style that was different from Japan, and it took a lot of time to get used to it, but I really enjoyed my daily classes. I asked my friends about things I didn't understand, and also took assignments and tests. It was very busy, but the feeling of gradually understanding technical English and being able to understand a little bit of Spanish conversation at EWU, where there are many International Student and various languages flying around, was very interesting. I was able to enjoy learning because I studied with local friends in the lobby of the dormitory almost every night.
By studying at EWU, I was able to improve not only my English skills, but also my interpersonal skills. I struggled to communicate in a foreign language while being exposed to the values of people from a diverse country, but it was a lot of fun and a wonderful experience in my life. My valuable experience studying at EWU has given me a new goal: to live abroad in the future using English.
When I decided to study abroad, there was no particular reason why I chose EWU from the three Washington universities, but now I think from the bottom of my heart that I am really glad that I chose EWU. The facilities on campus are more than sufficient, and it takes about 30 minutes to get to the nearest downtown. And the best thing about it is that there are many events at the university and the dormitory, making it easy to make friends. We started studying abroad in September, and since it was the same time that the new first-year students were entering EWU, we participated in a grand welcome party for new students held at the stadium on campus. Also, although the town of Cheney, where EWU is located, is a small town, the whole town participated in an event called "Homecoming," and we were able to expand our connections not only with students but also with local people.
In addition, I also took regular classes at EWU with local students. Before joining AUAP, I had studied abroad in Malaysia for two months with AUGP, and I wanted to study using English rather than studying English. Thanks to the support of the EWU teachers, I was able to participate in classes on "African American History," "Spanish," and "Piano." I was overwhelmed by the difference in values and the teaching style that was different from Japan, and it took a lot of time to get used to it, but I really enjoyed my daily classes. I asked my friends about things I didn't understand, and also took assignments and tests. It was very busy, but the feeling of gradually understanding technical English and being able to understand a little bit of Spanish conversation at EWU, where there are many International Student and various languages flying around, was very interesting. I was able to enjoy learning because I studied with local friends in the lobby of the dormitory almost every night.By studying at EWU, I was able to improve not only my English skills, but also my interpersonal skills. I struggled to communicate in a foreign language while being exposed to the values of people from a diverse country, but it was a lot of fun and a wonderful experience in my life. My valuable experience studying at EWU has given me a new goal: to live abroad in the future using English.
SHINTO Taiga
(Faculty Faculty of International Relations Department of International Relations)
Place of assignment: Western Washington University (WWU)
Place of assignment: Western Washington University (WWU)
Before joining AUAP, I had lived abroad for over 10 years and was somewhat confident in my English ability. Still, I wanted to know once again how much of my English ability would be useful in an English-speaking country, so I decided to join AUAP. Of course, I was attracted to the university itself, but another big reason for choosing WWU was that it was relatively easy to get to Vancouver and Seattle. When I actually went there, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the ocean view from the university and the abundance of nature.
During my study abroad, I stayed in Birnam Wood, one of the dormitories at WWU. I was in a four-person room with three roommates, and this experience was a good opportunity to speak English on a daily basis. Two of my roommates were from Washington state, and the other was International Student from Germany, so at first I was very worried about whether I would be able to open up to them. However, when I actually talked to them, I found that it was fun because we each had a different background, and I was able to live a fulfilling life every day.
In addition, I participated in the Intensive English Program (IEP) at WWU with not only Japanese students, but also International Student from Germany, Vietnam, and other countries. Although we were from different countries, we enjoyed taking classes while competing with each other as fellow International Student. In the IEP classes, we not only improved our basic English skills such as writing, listening, and reading, but also had many opportunities to take classes with local students and go on field trips. In all of these classes, there were many opportunities to speak, such as in discussions and presentations, so we developed our communication skills and never got bored. In addition to these classes, the local director and IPA (International Peer Advisors: supporting students) planned events such as Vancouver trips and Seattle trips, so we were able to spend a fulfilling time even on days when there were no classes.
Life at WWU is completely different from university life in Japan, and since returning to Japan, I have been able to see the same things from a more multifaceted perspective. Of course, improving your English skills is one of the great attractions of studying abroad, but I feel that the most important outcome for me was being able to broaden my horizons. Asia University also has other study abroad programs such as AUEP, so I would like to take advantage of my experience at WWU and take on new challenges more proactively than ever before.
During my study abroad, I stayed in Birnam Wood, one of the dormitories at WWU. I was in a four-person room with three roommates, and this experience was a good opportunity to speak English on a daily basis. Two of my roommates were from Washington state, and the other was International Student from Germany, so at first I was very worried about whether I would be able to open up to them. However, when I actually talked to them, I found that it was fun because we each had a different background, and I was able to live a fulfilling life every day.
In addition, I participated in the Intensive English Program (IEP) at WWU with not only Japanese students, but also International Student from Germany, Vietnam, and other countries. Although we were from different countries, we enjoyed taking classes while competing with each other as fellow International Student. In the IEP classes, we not only improved our basic English skills such as writing, listening, and reading, but also had many opportunities to take classes with local students and go on field trips. In all of these classes, there were many opportunities to speak, such as in discussions and presentations, so we developed our communication skills and never got bored. In addition to these classes, the local director and IPA (International Peer Advisors: supporting students) planned events such as Vancouver trips and Seattle trips, so we were able to spend a fulfilling time even on days when there were no classes.
Life at WWU is completely different from university life in Japan, and since returning to Japan, I have been able to see the same things from a more multifaceted perspective. Of course, improving your English skills is one of the great attractions of studying abroad, but I feel that the most important outcome for me was being able to broaden my horizons. Asia University also has other study abroad programs such as AUEP, so I would like to take advantage of my experience at WWU and take on new challenges more proactively than ever before.
SHIMBO Hikari
Destination: Central Washington University (CWU)
I decided to join AUAP because I love English. When I was in my first year of high school, I started studying English seriously, even though it was just for entrance exams. Despite having a hard time learning it, I developed a deep interest in this language, and after that, I started studying English as a communication tool rather than classroom English. As I attended English conversation classes, I realized that I wanted to experience life overseas and study abroad, and I had made studying abroad one of my goals during my university life, so when AUAP recruitment started, I was definitely interested. I decided to participate because I had a strong desire to go to America.
I was blessed with many friends there and had more opportunities to speak English outside of class than I expected. After waking up every day, I have a light conversation with my roommate, head to class, have lunch with local friends, do my assignments and homework after school, talk with my local friends again, and then have a little chat with my roommate before going to bed. I lived a life of speaking. My roommate's English was very fast, so at first I couldn't understand her at all and felt depressed. However, I had a strong feeling that I didn't want to waste the five months I had spent studying abroad, so I continued the conversation. I asked other friends I made to teach me how to spell words I didn't understand during conversations, took notes of everything, and was conscious of using them the next time I had an opportunity to use them. Also, I always tried to imitate the pronunciation without being shy. As I talked with them every day, I got used to their English, and there were many times when I found myself talking for long periods of time, which gave me confidence in speaking English.
In class, I tried to actively speak and ask questions every hour. At first, I wasn't confident in my English and thought about grammar and other issues before raising my hand, but as I got used to it, I was soon able to speak English. Also, I had the opportunity to give a presentation five times as part of the class, and when the preparation for this presentation overlapped with assignments given in other classes, I spent a lot of time at my desk, and it felt like the exam period was all over again. . When assignments kept coming up every time, it was sometimes difficult and I cut back on my sleep time, but thanks to the support of my AUAP friends and CWU friends and teachers, I was able to find joy even in those difficult days. is completed.
My current goals after experiencing AUAP are to further improve my TOEIC score and continue to use English in Japan. My TOEIC score increased by about 150 points between before I went to study abroad and after I came back, but I'm never satisfied and want to use this experience to gain confidence and aim for even higher scores. Also, regarding the use of English in Japan, I will continue to study English in order to further expand my horizons that I have gained by participating in AUAP, and in order not to waste those five months. I would like to continue to keep in touch with my friends at CWU. In the future, I would like to find a job where I can use English. Therefore, I would like to make every effort to make the most of the possibilities that have expanded through this study abroad experience. Based on my goal of studying abroad, ``Don't be shy,'' I want to continue to have the same challenging spirit that I had while studying abroad.
I was blessed with many friends there and had more opportunities to speak English outside of class than I expected. After waking up every day, I have a light conversation with my roommate, head to class, have lunch with local friends, do my assignments and homework after school, talk with my local friends again, and then have a little chat with my roommate before going to bed. I lived a life of speaking. My roommate's English was very fast, so at first I couldn't understand her at all and felt depressed. However, I had a strong feeling that I didn't want to waste the five months I had spent studying abroad, so I continued the conversation. I asked other friends I made to teach me how to spell words I didn't understand during conversations, took notes of everything, and was conscious of using them the next time I had an opportunity to use them. Also, I always tried to imitate the pronunciation without being shy. As I talked with them every day, I got used to their English, and there were many times when I found myself talking for long periods of time, which gave me confidence in speaking English.
In class, I tried to actively speak and ask questions every hour. At first, I wasn't confident in my English and thought about grammar and other issues before raising my hand, but as I got used to it, I was soon able to speak English. Also, I had the opportunity to give a presentation five times as part of the class, and when the preparation for this presentation overlapped with assignments given in other classes, I spent a lot of time at my desk, and it felt like the exam period was all over again. . When assignments kept coming up every time, it was sometimes difficult and I cut back on my sleep time, but thanks to the support of my AUAP friends and CWU friends and teachers, I was able to find joy even in those difficult days. is completed.
My current goals after experiencing AUAP are to further improve my TOEIC score and continue to use English in Japan. My TOEIC score increased by about 150 points between before I went to study abroad and after I came back, but I'm never satisfied and want to use this experience to gain confidence and aim for even higher scores. Also, regarding the use of English in Japan, I will continue to study English in order to further expand my horizons that I have gained by participating in AUAP, and in order not to waste those five months. I would like to continue to keep in touch with my friends at CWU. In the future, I would like to find a job where I can use English. Therefore, I would like to make every effort to make the most of the possibilities that have expanded through this study abroad experience. Based on my goal of studying abroad, ``Don't be shy,'' I want to continue to have the same challenging spirit that I had while studying abroad.
KURIHARA Keigo
Destination: Eastern Washington University (EWU)
<Reason for participating in study abroad>
I participated in a short-term language training program when I was in the second year of middle school and first year of high school. At that time, we each took English conversation classes while staying at a homestay, but I couldn't speak English as well as I wanted to, and perhaps because I was a shy person, I found it difficult to communicate with the local people. I had the bad experience of losing it. I felt very frustrated about this, and I wanted to overcome my shyness even if just a little and try speaking English with others again, so I joined AUAP.
<Local experience>
During my time at EWU, I was always conscious of incorporating English into my daily life so that I could speak English as actively as possible.
In my hometown, I basically took four classes a day between 10:00 and 15:00 with lunch in between, and after school I had free time to practice the TOEIC and spend time with friends, but I realized that classes alone were not enough. felt. Therefore, I tried to gain exposure to English by volunteering in Japanese classes that were free to participate, and by setting aside time to hang out and communicate with overseas friends I met there. When I was alone, I would review words and English expressions that I couldn't use or remember that day, and try to express them as best I could the next day. . As a result, I have had more opportunities to deepen my relationships with local friends and meet new friends, and I think my desire to communicate in English has increased. In particular, when I participated in volunteer activities at a basketball tournament held downtown, I was able to communicate with the local people more smoothly than when I first arrived in the United States.
Furthermore, during my summer vacation at EWU, I traveled to Beverly Hills in Los Angeles for about a week. The reason is that my uncle has been working as a hairdresser locally for about 15 years, and I wanted to ask him about life there and studying English conversation. In fact, when I was sightseeing in Los Angeles with my uncle, I had a hard time being able to communicate friendly with the locals, and I discovered that there were many things I was lacking, so I had to put in more effort than ever before. I was able to realize that.
<After studying abroad>
By participating in AUAP this time, I was able to take short-term language training and gain many experiences that I would not have been able to experience in Japan. The hurdles to communicating in English have become much lower than before because of the close friends I made in America and the challenges I faced there. Even after I return to Japan, I would like to continue working hard to improve my ability to speak English and maintain the spirit of trying new things.
I participated in a short-term language training program when I was in the second year of middle school and first year of high school. At that time, we each took English conversation classes while staying at a homestay, but I couldn't speak English as well as I wanted to, and perhaps because I was a shy person, I found it difficult to communicate with the local people. I had the bad experience of losing it. I felt very frustrated about this, and I wanted to overcome my shyness even if just a little and try speaking English with others again, so I joined AUAP.
<Local experience>
During my time at EWU, I was always conscious of incorporating English into my daily life so that I could speak English as actively as possible.
In my hometown, I basically took four classes a day between 10:00 and 15:00 with lunch in between, and after school I had free time to practice the TOEIC and spend time with friends, but I realized that classes alone were not enough. felt. Therefore, I tried to gain exposure to English by volunteering in Japanese classes that were free to participate, and by setting aside time to hang out and communicate with overseas friends I met there. When I was alone, I would review words and English expressions that I couldn't use or remember that day, and try to express them as best I could the next day. . As a result, I have had more opportunities to deepen my relationships with local friends and meet new friends, and I think my desire to communicate in English has increased. In particular, when I participated in volunteer activities at a basketball tournament held downtown, I was able to communicate with the local people more smoothly than when I first arrived in the United States.
Furthermore, during my summer vacation at EWU, I traveled to Beverly Hills in Los Angeles for about a week. The reason is that my uncle has been working as a hairdresser locally for about 15 years, and I wanted to ask him about life there and studying English conversation. In fact, when I was sightseeing in Los Angeles with my uncle, I had a hard time being able to communicate friendly with the locals, and I discovered that there were many things I was lacking, so I had to put in more effort than ever before. I was able to realize that.
<After studying abroad>
By participating in AUAP this time, I was able to take short-term language training and gain many experiences that I would not have been able to experience in Japan. The hurdles to communicating in English have become much lower than before because of the close friends I made in America and the challenges I faced there. Even after I return to Japan, I would like to continue working hard to improve my ability to speak English and maintain the spirit of trying new things.
KUDO Ayane
Destination: Central Washington University (CWU)
I have been interested in studying abroad since high school. I've been learning dance since I was little, but when I dance, I mainly dance to Western music. From there, I started to be interested in English, and when I become a university student, I definitely want to go to America to study abroad! I came to have a dream.
Then, in the fall semester of my sophomore year, thanks to my parents and the university's study abroad program, I was able to actually leave for America. However, when I arrived safely at the airport in Seattle and went to the restroom, I immediately experienced culture shock. The top and bottom of bathroom doors in America were hollowed out for crime prevention, and they were completely exposed. It may be a small thing, but for me, who had never stepped out of Japan until this day, it was an event that allowed me to actually experience a different culture.
This was not the only culture shock. A few days after I arrived safely at CWU and moved into the dormitory, my roommate also arrived at the dormitory later. I can't speak English very well, but my roommate speaks to me in English. Japanese people tend to be relatively shy, so even if you meet a foreign International Student in Japan, it is unlikely that you will immediately speak to them in fast Japanese. This experience also made me feel that it was truly America. In addition to this, even if I meet any American other than my roommate, they will actively talk to me from the first time I meet them, and they will honestly tell me what they think. In this way, I feel that my English skills have improved thanks to CWU students talking to me without using International Student filter. I myself was influenced by this experience, and when I was studying abroad, I started talking to Korean International Student and became friends.
Also, even before I went to AUAP, I was interested in LGBTQ, which I learned in classes at Asia University. In Japan, it is rare to see same-sex couples, and I think there are many cases where the parties themselves hide their identity. However, in America, I often saw boys holding hands on dates, and vice versa (girls). Also, when I saw boys doing what they wanted to do on campus, such as expressing themselves with their nails and clothes, I thought it was really cool, and it's a common practice in Japan. I strongly thought that it would be nice to become a world.
Through AUAP, of course, I was able to learn English, but I think I was able to reassess my values and my way of being and grow. By going to an environment like America, where diversity is spreading, I realized that I cared too much about what others thought of me, and decided to live more freely as I wanted. I am so glad that I went to CWU through AUAP and was able to grow in various aspects other than English.
Then, in the fall semester of my sophomore year, thanks to my parents and the university's study abroad program, I was able to actually leave for America. However, when I arrived safely at the airport in Seattle and went to the restroom, I immediately experienced culture shock. The top and bottom of bathroom doors in America were hollowed out for crime prevention, and they were completely exposed. It may be a small thing, but for me, who had never stepped out of Japan until this day, it was an event that allowed me to actually experience a different culture.
This was not the only culture shock. A few days after I arrived safely at CWU and moved into the dormitory, my roommate also arrived at the dormitory later. I can't speak English very well, but my roommate speaks to me in English. Japanese people tend to be relatively shy, so even if you meet a foreign International Student in Japan, it is unlikely that you will immediately speak to them in fast Japanese. This experience also made me feel that it was truly America. In addition to this, even if I meet any American other than my roommate, they will actively talk to me from the first time I meet them, and they will honestly tell me what they think. In this way, I feel that my English skills have improved thanks to CWU students talking to me without using International Student filter. I myself was influenced by this experience, and when I was studying abroad, I started talking to Korean International Student and became friends.
Also, even before I went to AUAP, I was interested in LGBTQ, which I learned in classes at Asia University. In Japan, it is rare to see same-sex couples, and I think there are many cases where the parties themselves hide their identity. However, in America, I often saw boys holding hands on dates, and vice versa (girls). Also, when I saw boys doing what they wanted to do on campus, such as expressing themselves with their nails and clothes, I thought it was really cool, and it's a common practice in Japan. I strongly thought that it would be nice to become a world.
Through AUAP, of course, I was able to learn English, but I think I was able to reassess my values and my way of being and grow. By going to an environment like America, where diversity is spreading, I realized that I cared too much about what others thought of me, and decided to live more freely as I wanted. I am so glad that I went to CWU through AUAP and was able to grow in various aspects other than English.
UENO Yu
Destination: Eastern Washington University (EWU)
"Why I participated in study abroad" When I was a high school student, I went to Australia on a school trip. At that time, I did a farm stay, but I couldn't speak English as well as I thought, so I just reacted. It was frustrating and I wanted to be able to speak English. Also, because it was my first overseas experience, I was very disappointed and inspired, and I strongly wanted to go abroad again. So, I took the entrance exam for Asia University to study abroad.
[Experience in the field] I had many valuable experiences in the United States through interactions with EWU Soccer Club, classmates, and roommates. Before I went to study abroad, I didn't have any close friends among the AUAP students. In fact, in America, I was able to make good friends in no time by taking proactive actions such as talking to people and participating in events.
In addition, classes on site basically end at 15:00, and students have free time after school. After school, I spent my time doing assignments given in class, practicing TOEIC, going downtown, Soccer Club practice, and hanging out with my friends. Among them, I especially tried to spend a lot of time with my friends, asking them to help me with my assignments, and hanging out with them after I finished.
I thought that spending time with local friends during my study abroad was the most important way to learn real-life English. As a result, there were days when I didn't speak a single word of Japanese, and I spent lunchtime with friends who volunteered for classes. By spending time with them, I was able to learn things like slang and how to play around town that they didn't teach me in class. Also, during the conversation, there were many words and expressions that I didn't know, but each time I tried to tell them that I didn't understand the word. And I tried to keep a note of the phrases and slang words that were explained at that time. As a result, my vocabulary has grown exponentially. I also learned how to play in America and how to socialize with friends. I feel that I was able to grow a lot by being able to spend a long time with my local friends.
“Future Goals After Studying Abroad” By participating in AUAP, I was able to gain many experiences that I could not have in Japan. Having close friends in the US made it much easier for me to return to the US. Also, being able to have daily conversations has made it easier for me to take on the next challenge abroad, and I am considering working holiday and studying abroad again. Furthermore, learning about American culture has changed my way of thinking about things, and I would like to use my English in job hunting. Through my experience at AUAP, I have more options for the future and broadened my goals for the future, so I would like to continue to actively take action to achieve those goals.
[Experience in the field] I had many valuable experiences in the United States through interactions with EWU Soccer Club, classmates, and roommates. Before I went to study abroad, I didn't have any close friends among the AUAP students. In fact, in America, I was able to make good friends in no time by taking proactive actions such as talking to people and participating in events.
In addition, classes on site basically end at 15:00, and students have free time after school. After school, I spent my time doing assignments given in class, practicing TOEIC, going downtown, Soccer Club practice, and hanging out with my friends. Among them, I especially tried to spend a lot of time with my friends, asking them to help me with my assignments, and hanging out with them after I finished.
I thought that spending time with local friends during my study abroad was the most important way to learn real-life English. As a result, there were days when I didn't speak a single word of Japanese, and I spent lunchtime with friends who volunteered for classes. By spending time with them, I was able to learn things like slang and how to play around town that they didn't teach me in class. Also, during the conversation, there were many words and expressions that I didn't know, but each time I tried to tell them that I didn't understand the word. And I tried to keep a note of the phrases and slang words that were explained at that time. As a result, my vocabulary has grown exponentially. I also learned how to play in America and how to socialize with friends. I feel that I was able to grow a lot by being able to spend a long time with my local friends.
“Future Goals After Studying Abroad” By participating in AUAP, I was able to gain many experiences that I could not have in Japan. Having close friends in the US made it much easier for me to return to the US. Also, being able to have daily conversations has made it easier for me to take on the next challenge abroad, and I am considering working holiday and studying abroad again. Furthermore, learning about American culture has changed my way of thinking about things, and I would like to use my English in job hunting. Through my experience at AUAP, I have more options for the future and broadened my goals for the future, so I would like to continue to actively take action to achieve those goals.
IZUMI Hayato
Place of assignment: Western Washington University (WWU)
AUAP experience
I participated in AUAP with the goal of "living abroad in the future", learning about the culture of American life and improving my language skills. It wasn't my first time to go abroad, but in five months, which was neither long nor short, I approached the day of my departure with great anticipation and anxiety. And the local staff welcomed us cheerfully. From that point on, I started living in English, and at times I was discouraged by my poor language skills. However, I was able to gradually get used to life in English thanks to the kind communication I received from the support staff for local students called IPA.
I understood that just attending classes would not improve my abilities. In class, I tried to take the initiative in giving presentations. And after the first month passed, there was an announcement of the award. I participated with the thought that "I will definitely win the award", but when my name was actually called, I was both happy and surprised. All the students participating in the AUAP gave their all and the classes were of a very high quality. It gave me confidence and helped me to participate more actively in many things.
WWU also holds many events, and I was able to build friendships with local students. I think that I acquired conversational skills in English by eating with local friends and playing basketball, which is my hobby. I was able to develop friendships through common hobbies, and because I was able to have conversations based on the knowledge I knew, I was able to naturally deepen my friendships, which I feel was directly connected to the improvement of my language skills. Furthermore, I was able to participate in a club of local students who are interested in Japan, and I had the opportunity to teach Japanese language and culture, and I was able to have many experiences.
At first, I couldn't communicate well and became shy, but as time passed, I became able to use English actively. Also, a friend told me, "You've grown remarkably compared to when you first started. Now you can communicate normally! Be confident!" I realized that I have grown a lot in the past five months, such as being appointed as a leader for returning to Japan.
These five months have been irreplaceable for me, and I have been able to grow while enjoying the support of my teachers, IPA, friends, parents, and many other people. have become. Right now, I am thinking about the future in my daily life while drawing a future map of living abroad in the future. There are many study abroad programs at Asia University, and there are many other options for challenging yourself overseas, such as the diplomatic mission dispatch system and overseas internships. I would like to actively take on challenges without fear of anything.
I understood that just attending classes would not improve my abilities. In class, I tried to take the initiative in giving presentations. And after the first month passed, there was an announcement of the award. I participated with the thought that "I will definitely win the award", but when my name was actually called, I was both happy and surprised. All the students participating in the AUAP gave their all and the classes were of a very high quality. It gave me confidence and helped me to participate more actively in many things.
WWU also holds many events, and I was able to build friendships with local students. I think that I acquired conversational skills in English by eating with local friends and playing basketball, which is my hobby. I was able to develop friendships through common hobbies, and because I was able to have conversations based on the knowledge I knew, I was able to naturally deepen my friendships, which I feel was directly connected to the improvement of my language skills. Furthermore, I was able to participate in a club of local students who are interested in Japan, and I had the opportunity to teach Japanese language and culture, and I was able to have many experiences.
At first, I couldn't communicate well and became shy, but as time passed, I became able to use English actively. Also, a friend told me, "You've grown remarkably compared to when you first started. Now you can communicate normally! Be confident!" I realized that I have grown a lot in the past five months, such as being appointed as a leader for returning to Japan.
These five months have been irreplaceable for me, and I have been able to grow while enjoying the support of my teachers, IPA, friends, parents, and many other people. have become. Right now, I am thinking about the future in my daily life while drawing a future map of living abroad in the future. There are many study abroad programs at Asia University, and there are many other options for challenging yourself overseas, such as the diplomatic mission dispatch system and overseas internships. I would like to actively take on challenges without fear of anything.
Maiko Sekiguchi
Destination: Central Washington University (CWU)
"Why did you participate in AUAP?"
Before I went to study abroad, when I was in the United States, and after I returned to Japan, every time I answered this question, I would say, "Because I want to grow myself." In addition to improving my English skills, I decided to participate in AUAP because I wanted to fix my weaknesses, develop my strengths, and find out what I want to do in the future.
Of the three classes divided by level, I was in the class called "Section 4," which is the highest level. In American classes, if you don't have the initiative to raise your hand and state your own opinion, you won't even be evaluated. For me, who has weaknesses such as being unable to act on my own initiative and being nervous when standing in front of others and being unable to speak well, this class style was a difficult obstacle to overcome. However, it was a high-level class, and I was inspired by the positive attitude of my friends around me, and I thought I should do my best too. In the latter half of my study abroad in such an environment, I became able to raise my hand and speak out with confidence. Also, while doing many presentations, I became able to speak in front of people without being nervous. This is a big growth for me.
Before I went to study abroad, when I was in the United States, and after I returned to Japan, every time I answered this question, I would say, "Because I want to grow myself." In addition to improving my English skills, I decided to participate in AUAP because I wanted to fix my weaknesses, develop my strengths, and find out what I want to do in the future.
Of the three classes divided by level, I was in the class called "Section 4," which is the highest level. In American classes, if you don't have the initiative to raise your hand and state your own opinion, you won't even be evaluated. For me, who has weaknesses such as being unable to act on my own initiative and being nervous when standing in front of others and being unable to speak well, this class style was a difficult obstacle to overcome. However, it was a high-level class, and I was inspired by the positive attitude of my friends around me, and I thought I should do my best too. In the latter half of my study abroad in such an environment, I became able to raise my hand and speak out with confidence. Also, while doing many presentations, I became able to speak in front of people without being nervous. This is a big growth for me.
Furthermore, I thought that I would not be able to grow just by being active in class, so I challenged myself to be an ambassador. Ambassador is an award given to a person who participated in a certain number of activities and wrote and submitted reports for all activities. There were many activities such as participating in volunteer activities and giving presentations outside of class. It had nothing to do with the classes I usually take, so I had a lot of things to do and had a busy day. There were many times when I wanted to give up, but with the encouragement and support of the people around me, I was able to complete it until the end. When I received the award at the graduation ceremony, I felt the greatest sense of accomplishment during my five months of International Student. And I am proud that I have grown so much because I set my own goals and worked hard toward them without giving up.
The last five months have been a very intense time that I will never be able to experience again. So, even if I was asked, "What is your best memory at AUAP?" All the daily life spent surrounded by wonderful friends and IPA and AUAP staff are the best memories and treasures for me. I will continue to cherish it. And I am grateful that I was able to participate in AUAP, which gave me the opportunity to grow myself. thank you very much.
Achievements after Studying Abroad ～My Before After～
TANABE Rika
Destination: University of Utah (UTAH)
When I was in the United States, I set one goal.I think it's going to be the biggest goal remaining in my college life: “To transfer to another college abroad”.That's my goal.I know it's not easy to achieve.There are a lot of challenges which I must overcome, but I got a lot of confidence during AUAP.
I was the leader of the 1st University of Utah program students from Asia University. I didn't expect to be selected as a leader, but Rebecca, who was our homestay manager, selected me when we met her at the Salt Lake City airport. Of course, I was so surprised and flustered, but my friend Yuki said, “She's going to be a good leader.” with a big smile.
Then I forced myself to be a leader, and I set two goals to be a good leader: the first was to be a good example for next students, and the second was if someone seems like they are having a hard time speaking English, I 'll give them the chance to be friends with those who are not Japanese speakers. In the first session, those things were hard to try, because I couldn't adapt myself to the local environment perfectly at that time, and so I couldn' t make a lot of friends who were not Japanese speakers to introduce to other Asia University students.I was so disappointed.I asked myself many times why I couldn't.I thought I was trying my best to adapt myself to the environment.Sadly I needed to spend much energy for that than I thought, but I didn't know how I could do more.
When I had been troubled by this problem, I met some men. All of them were Taiwanese, and they had their quit jobs to study English. One of changed my life a lot. met for the first time, we felt we have similar personalities. We like joking, we are not shy, we're comfortable to speak English, and we have strong motivations to speak English, so we became friends immediately. We always hung out after school and talked about our dreams. I loved that time. He always said “I want to get a job in the US, because I feel America has a lot of possibilities which I can use to develop that I can't get in Taiwan. That's why I quit my job to come here to study English.I'm older than you.I have more risk and less time to spend time than you.It means you can still do everything.You can try everything you want.You still have enough time. Get knowledge from college to be a good global person, and don't focus on just passing exams.” I still remember those words clearly and they keep my motivation high. After I'd met him, I forced myself again to start studying more harder than the first session.Therefore, I got the student of the month award.Students who are most active and do their best can get this one.I made it!
Of course, my English improved a lot, but English is just a tool. because I know what the most important thing to do is while I am still a college student. It's not a part time job. It's not a student club. mine.Most of my friends who are Taiwanese are still in the US The time when I hung out with them was so wonderful.I really miss them.Especially the one who told me those great words.He gave me the chance to consider my future deeply it and changed me a lot.
Before I went to the US, I couldn't imagine my future clearly, but now I can. I want to work to prevent the extinction of animals and for developing countries in the future. That is the most interesting thing to me.In AUAP, we couldn't take regular classes, but in AUEP we can, so I want to go abroad again as an AUEP student.This is my first step to being closer to my big dream.I've already started progressing towards that.AUAP shook my life up.I was so glad to go there.
I was the leader of the 1st University of Utah program students from Asia University. I didn't expect to be selected as a leader, but Rebecca, who was our homestay manager, selected me when we met her at the Salt Lake City airport. Of course, I was so surprised and flustered, but my friend Yuki said, “She's going to be a good leader.” with a big smile.
Then I forced myself to be a leader, and I set two goals to be a good leader: the first was to be a good example for next students, and the second was if someone seems like they are having a hard time speaking English, I 'll give them the chance to be friends with those who are not Japanese speakers. In the first session, those things were hard to try, because I couldn't adapt myself to the local environment perfectly at that time, and so I couldn' t make a lot of friends who were not Japanese speakers to introduce to other Asia University students.I was so disappointed.I asked myself many times why I couldn't.I thought I was trying my best to adapt myself to the environment.Sadly I needed to spend much energy for that than I thought, but I didn't know how I could do more.
When I had been troubled by this problem, I met some men. All of them were Taiwanese, and they had their quit jobs to study English. One of changed my life a lot. met for the first time, we felt we have similar personalities. We like joking, we are not shy, we're comfortable to speak English, and we have strong motivations to speak English, so we became friends immediately. We always hung out after school and talked about our dreams. I loved that time. He always said “I want to get a job in the US, because I feel America has a lot of possibilities which I can use to develop that I can't get in Taiwan. That's why I quit my job to come here to study English.I'm older than you.I have more risk and less time to spend time than you.It means you can still do everything.You can try everything you want.You still have enough time. Get knowledge from college to be a good global person, and don't focus on just passing exams.” I still remember those words clearly and they keep my motivation high. After I'd met him, I forced myself again to start studying more harder than the first session.Therefore, I got the student of the month award.Students who are most active and do their best can get this one.I made it!
Of course, my English improved a lot, but English is just a tool. because I know what the most important thing to do is while I am still a college student. It's not a part time job. It's not a student club. mine.Most of my friends who are Taiwanese are still in the US The time when I hung out with them was so wonderful.I really miss them.Especially the one who told me those great words.He gave me the chance to consider my future deeply it and changed me a lot.
Before I went to the US, I couldn't imagine my future clearly, but now I can. I want to work to prevent the extinction of animals and for developing countries in the future. That is the most interesting thing to me.In AUAP, we couldn't take regular classes, but in AUEP we can, so I want to go abroad again as an AUEP student.This is my first step to being closer to my big dream.I've already started progressing towards that.AUAP shook my life up.I was so glad to go there.
<Japanese translation>
While studying abroad, I set one goal. My goal is to transfer to an overseas university, which is still one of my major goals while I am still in school. Achieving this is of course not easy. There are many challenges to overcome, but I gained a lot of confidence during AUAP.
I was the leader of the first AUAP University of Utah Dispatch Group. I never expected to be the leader, but the homestay manager, Rebecca, chose me as the leader when she met me at the Salt Lake City airport. When I was surprised and confused that I had been selected, a friend who studied abroad with me said with a smile, “She would be a good leader!”
In terms of becoming a leader, I set two goals to become a good leader. One is to be a good role model for the next students to study abroad, and the other is to have friends who don't speak English if they don't seem to be willing to speak English. give them the chance to be friends with In the first session, it was difficult just to adjust myself to the local environment, and of course it was difficult to make friends so that I could introduce my new friends to other APU students. It was very disappointing, and I kept asking myself why I couldn't do it. I tried to adapt myself to the environment, but things didn't go as planned, and I didn't know what to do.
At that time, I met International Student from Taiwan who quit his job and came to learn English. When we first met, we both liked jokes, weren't shy, were easy to talk to, had high motivation to speak English, and had similar personalities, so we quickly became friends. After class, we often went out together and talked about each other's dreams. That time was very meaningful to me. He often said, "I want to find a job in America. I think there are many opportunities for growth in America that I cannot get in Taiwan. So I quit my job and studied English here." I'm older than you, and I take more risks than you and I don't have the time, which means you can still do anything you want, you can try anything you want. Don't just focus on passing , study hard at university to become a wonderful international person." I still remember these words clearly, and they strongly support me. After meeting him, I worked harder than the first session. As a result, I was able to receive a monthly award, which is given only to students who worked hard the most.
Of course my English has improved a lot, but English is only a "tool". What is more important is the process of getting there. Now I can see Japan from a completely different perspective and I really like learning and gaining knowledge. I felt that the important thing that I can do when I am a student is not to spend time doing a part-time job, but to acquire knowledge and actively use it. I have made many friends who have the same goals as me. Most of my Taiwanese friends are still studying in America. The time I spent with them was irreplaceable for me. Above all, meeting him is special because he gave me words of encouragement that made me think deeply about my future and change me greatly.
Before I went to America to study, I was uncertain about my future. But not now. My dream is to prevent animal extinction and work for developing countries. I would like to learn how nature and humans can coexist. This is what I am most interested in right now. At AUAP, it was not possible to take local regular classes, but at AUEP, it will be possible. That's why I want to study abroad again as an AUEP student. The first step to a big dream. Your next new adventure is about to begin. I am grateful to AUAP for giving me the opportunity to move forward.
While studying abroad, I set one goal. My goal is to transfer to an overseas university, which is still one of my major goals while I am still in school. Achieving this is of course not easy. There are many challenges to overcome, but I gained a lot of confidence during AUAP.
I was the leader of the first AUAP University of Utah Dispatch Group. I never expected to be the leader, but the homestay manager, Rebecca, chose me as the leader when she met me at the Salt Lake City airport. When I was surprised and confused that I had been selected, a friend who studied abroad with me said with a smile, “She would be a good leader!”
In terms of becoming a leader, I set two goals to become a good leader. One is to be a good role model for the next students to study abroad, and the other is to have friends who don't speak English if they don't seem to be willing to speak English. give them the chance to be friends with In the first session, it was difficult just to adjust myself to the local environment, and of course it was difficult to make friends so that I could introduce my new friends to other APU students. It was very disappointing, and I kept asking myself why I couldn't do it. I tried to adapt myself to the environment, but things didn't go as planned, and I didn't know what to do.
At that time, I met International Student from Taiwan who quit his job and came to learn English. When we first met, we both liked jokes, weren't shy, were easy to talk to, had high motivation to speak English, and had similar personalities, so we quickly became friends. After class, we often went out together and talked about each other's dreams. That time was very meaningful to me. He often said, "I want to find a job in America. I think there are many opportunities for growth in America that I cannot get in Taiwan. So I quit my job and studied English here." I'm older than you, and I take more risks than you and I don't have the time, which means you can still do anything you want, you can try anything you want. Don't just focus on passing , study hard at university to become a wonderful international person." I still remember these words clearly, and they strongly support me. After meeting him, I worked harder than the first session. As a result, I was able to receive a monthly award, which is given only to students who worked hard the most.
Of course my English has improved a lot, but English is only a "tool". What is more important is the process of getting there. Now I can see Japan from a completely different perspective and I really like learning and gaining knowledge. I felt that the important thing that I can do when I am a student is not to spend time doing a part-time job, but to acquire knowledge and actively use it. I have made many friends who have the same goals as me. Most of my Taiwanese friends are still studying in America. The time I spent with them was irreplaceable for me. Above all, meeting him is special because he gave me words of encouragement that made me think deeply about my future and change me greatly.
Before I went to America to study, I was uncertain about my future. But not now. My dream is to prevent animal extinction and work for developing countries. I would like to learn how nature and humans can coexist. This is what I am most interested in right now. At AUAP, it was not possible to take local regular classes, but at AUEP, it will be possible. That's why I want to study abroad again as an AUEP student. The first step to a big dream. Your next new adventure is about to begin. I am grateful to AUAP for giving me the opportunity to move forward.
Achievements after Studying Abroad ～My Before After～
Ryuichi Kinoshita
Place of assignment: San Diego State University (SDSU)
My study abroad in San Diego was a very valuable and meaningful five months that I have never experienced before.
The class at the language school ALI (San Diego State University American Language Institute), where I was dispatched, was a privileged environment unique to a university-affiliated language school, and I was able to learn English while interacting with people of various nationalities. Above all, I was very interested in the differences in values and customs of the Saudis, as well as the religious view of Islam that they worship. While I was studying abroad, there was Ramadan, and while my classmates were having lunch, I would sometimes see them talking outside the building. It was very stimulating to be able to come into contact with various values different from those of the Japanese, and to see and hear the cultures and customs of each of my classmates from other countries. The preconceived notions I had about that country were overthrown, and my perspective was greatly expanded.
The content of the class focused on improving communication skills, group work, and presentations. Having many opportunities to give presentations in English during class was a great practice for me to express my opinion in front of others. I can now speak I strongly feel that what I learned in the ALI class will definitely become my strength in the future.
Well, about two months after I started International Student, I started skateboarding. I never thought that this "skateboarding" would change my International Student so much. When I first started skateboarding, I went to the SDSU plaza with a friend and talked to the students who were skating there. I was able to interact with many native skateboarders about skateboarding using English, and I was able to improve my English skills. When I went to a skate park where many skateboarders gather, I was able to make friends with Japanese people who have lived there for a long time through skateboarding. Also, I was able to meet Americans who are learning Japanese, and skateboarding gave me the opportunity to meet people and interact with many people. If I hadn't started skateboarding, I don't think I would have had the opportunity to interact with people like this. The time spent skating with the people I met in San Diego was an experience that I could not learn at school, and I think it was the most enjoyable and fulfilling time of my International Student.
While I was studying abroad, I was able to expand my circle of exchanges and make many American friends by using the tool of skateboarding. Use this as a tool to deepen exchanges with local people. I am sure that you will have a very meaningful time during your study abroad. I will never forget the time I spent studying abroad, and I would like to expand my horizons in Japan, using skateboarding as well as new tools.
The class at the language school ALI (San Diego State University American Language Institute), where I was dispatched, was a privileged environment unique to a university-affiliated language school, and I was able to learn English while interacting with people of various nationalities. Above all, I was very interested in the differences in values and customs of the Saudis, as well as the religious view of Islam that they worship. While I was studying abroad, there was Ramadan, and while my classmates were having lunch, I would sometimes see them talking outside the building. It was very stimulating to be able to come into contact with various values different from those of the Japanese, and to see and hear the cultures and customs of each of my classmates from other countries. The preconceived notions I had about that country were overthrown, and my perspective was greatly expanded.
The content of the class focused on improving communication skills, group work, and presentations. Having many opportunities to give presentations in English during class was a great practice for me to express my opinion in front of others. I can now speak I strongly feel that what I learned in the ALI class will definitely become my strength in the future.
Well, about two months after I started International Student, I started skateboarding. I never thought that this "skateboarding" would change my International Student so much. When I first started skateboarding, I went to the SDSU plaza with a friend and talked to the students who were skating there. I was able to interact with many native skateboarders about skateboarding using English, and I was able to improve my English skills. When I went to a skate park where many skateboarders gather, I was able to make friends with Japanese people who have lived there for a long time through skateboarding. Also, I was able to meet Americans who are learning Japanese, and skateboarding gave me the opportunity to meet people and interact with many people. If I hadn't started skateboarding, I don't think I would have had the opportunity to interact with people like this. The time spent skating with the people I met in San Diego was an experience that I could not learn at school, and I think it was the most enjoyable and fulfilling time of my International Student.
While I was studying abroad, I was able to expand my circle of exchanges and make many American friends by using the tool of skateboarding. Use this as a tool to deepen exchanges with local people. I am sure that you will have a very meaningful time during your study abroad. I will never forget the time I spent studying abroad, and I would like to expand my horizons in Japan, using skateboarding as well as new tools.
Achievements after Studying Abroad ～My Before After～
Yuito Saeki
Place of assignment: Western Washington University (WWU)
My future dream has always been to get a job related to aviation, and now I'm aiming to be a pilot or a flight attendant. However, since I was not good at English, I ran away from it. "I want to be able to speak English for the future, I want to change myself who is running away from English," so I decided to study abroad.
Before studying abroad, I didn't know what to study, so I studied English conversation by watching English conversation videos such as You Tube. While I was worried about whether I would be able to make it through studying at this level, the time flew by and before I knew it, it was time to leave.
Shortly after arriving at the host university, I had an interview with a local staff member. I couldn't talk much with the teacher during the interview, so I was placed in an intermediate level class. At that time, I was frustrated that I couldn't speak well, so I decided to work as hard as I could in the advanced level class. During class, I spoke without fear of making mistakes, and as a result of actively working on assignments, tests, and awards, I was able to improve my English and win five awards. I was happy to receive the award, but more than that, at the closing ceremony, I received a letter from the teacher in charge, saying, "I've grown more than five months ago, and I was a dream student for my teacher." I felt that I had grown and became more confident in myself than I was before studying abroad.
Before studying abroad, I didn't know what to study, so I studied English conversation by watching English conversation videos such as You Tube. While I was worried about whether I would be able to make it through studying at this level, the time flew by and before I knew it, it was time to leave.
Shortly after arriving at the host university, I had an interview with a local staff member. I couldn't talk much with the teacher during the interview, so I was placed in an intermediate level class. At that time, I was frustrated that I couldn't speak well, so I decided to work as hard as I could in the advanced level class. During class, I spoke without fear of making mistakes, and as a result of actively working on assignments, tests, and awards, I was able to improve my English and win five awards. I was happy to receive the award, but more than that, at the closing ceremony, I received a letter from the teacher in charge, saying, "I've grown more than five months ago, and I was a dream student for my teacher." I felt that I had grown and became more confident in myself than I was before studying abroad.
The best thing about studying abroad is that I got to meet so many different people. We spent every day together with our roommates, and since each other's hobbies were sports, we were able to play various sports together, such as basketball, frisbee, and soccer, and made many memories together. Also, my roommate always told me that my English was good, which gave me confidence. We were so close roommates that we cried on the day we parted.
I found time to go to the gym, and before I knew it, I was able to make many friends through my hobby, basketball. I became friends with my fellow students from Asia University, and we did our homework together and studied together before exams. Even after returning to Japan, there were opportunities to get together, and my university life became more enjoyable.
I thought studying abroad was a way to study languages, but it wasn't the only way. Studying abroad allowed me to change myself. I am no longer afraid to make mistakes, and even if I am wrong, I am able to actively use my English to improve my problem-solving skills in English, which I could not do in Japan, and to maintain a high level of motivation. rice field. Thanks to teachers, IPA, friends, parents, and various other people, I was able to enjoy the five months. I believe that I will be able to make use of what I have experienced while studying abroad in my own life. That's why I'm aiming to study abroad for the second time while I'm still in school, setting AUEP (Exchange International Student Program) as a new goal.
I found time to go to the gym, and before I knew it, I was able to make many friends through my hobby, basketball. I became friends with my fellow students from Asia University, and we did our homework together and studied together before exams. Even after returning to Japan, there were opportunities to get together, and my university life became more enjoyable.
I thought studying abroad was a way to study languages, but it wasn't the only way. Studying abroad allowed me to change myself. I am no longer afraid to make mistakes, and even if I am wrong, I am able to actively use my English to improve my problem-solving skills in English, which I could not do in Japan, and to maintain a high level of motivation. rice field. Thanks to teachers, IPA, friends, parents, and various other people, I was able to enjoy the five months. I believe that I will be able to make use of what I have experienced while studying abroad in my own life. That's why I'm aiming to study abroad for the second time while I'm still in school, setting AUEP (Exchange International Student Program) as a new goal.
Achievements after Studying Abroad ～My Before After～
Okada Rei
Destination: Eastern Washington University (EWU)
The reason I decided to participate in AUAP was because I always liked talking to people, and I wanted to talk to people from other countries in a language other than Japanese. Having said that, my English skills were almost non-existent, and I was just avoiding studying English. Under such circumstances, when I found a program called AUAP at Asia University, I thought that even if I didn't like studying English, I would study hard if I was to live abroad for five months, so I decided to study abroad at the same time as entering the university. .
My goal before studying abroad was to improve my TOEIC score by 100 points or more. However, since I originally disliked English, I thought it would be difficult to improve my score by more than 100 points. When I started International Student, at first I couldn't understand what the other person was saying even if they talked to me. However, since I basically liked talking, when I devoted myself to "using English", I gradually came to understand what the other person was saying, and before I knew it, I was speaking in English. But before I knew it, I was able to speak in writing. I still remember the joy I felt when I realized how much I had grown. I also achieved my goal of improving my TOEIC score by more than 100 points, and finished studying abroad. Studying abroad not only improved my English skills, but also changed my shy personality and improved my ability to act and cooperate, because I actively talked to people from overseas.
The best memory of my time studying abroad was joining an international soccer team and finishing second in a match. Originally, I wanted to play soccer while I was studying abroad, so I joined a local team and practiced soccer once a week. There, I was able to connect with people from various countries through soccer, and they taught me languages other than English, and I also taught Japanese. The members were a multinational team, with some from the United States, others from Brazil, Mexico, and Africa, so it was very stimulating for me to interact with the friends I made there. It was a very good experience for me that I was able to make various friends and precious memories during my five months of studying abroad.
The 5 months I spent at AUAP were the most intense in my life so far, and changed my future greatly. In addition to improving my English skills, it was a big growth for me that I changed my way of thinking about things and acquired the ability to take positive action. From now on, I would like to make use of the experience of studying abroad that I have gained, and I would like to see with my own eyes what I should do to make my dreams come true, and then take action.
My goal before studying abroad was to improve my TOEIC score by 100 points or more. However, since I originally disliked English, I thought it would be difficult to improve my score by more than 100 points. When I started International Student, at first I couldn't understand what the other person was saying even if they talked to me. However, since I basically liked talking, when I devoted myself to "using English", I gradually came to understand what the other person was saying, and before I knew it, I was speaking in English. But before I knew it, I was able to speak in writing. I still remember the joy I felt when I realized how much I had grown. I also achieved my goal of improving my TOEIC score by more than 100 points, and finished studying abroad. Studying abroad not only improved my English skills, but also changed my shy personality and improved my ability to act and cooperate, because I actively talked to people from overseas.
The best memory of my time studying abroad was joining an international soccer team and finishing second in a match. Originally, I wanted to play soccer while I was studying abroad, so I joined a local team and practiced soccer once a week. There, I was able to connect with people from various countries through soccer, and they taught me languages other than English, and I also taught Japanese. The members were a multinational team, with some from the United States, others from Brazil, Mexico, and Africa, so it was very stimulating for me to interact with the friends I made there. It was a very good experience for me that I was able to make various friends and precious memories during my five months of studying abroad.
The 5 months I spent at AUAP were the most intense in my life so far, and changed my future greatly. In addition to improving my English skills, it was a big growth for me that I changed my way of thinking about things and acquired the ability to take positive action. From now on, I would like to make use of the experience of studying abroad that I have gained, and I would like to see with my own eyes what I should do to make my dreams come true, and then take action.
Achievements after Studying Abroad ～My Before After～
<Updated July 1, 2024>