Testimonials and results of studying abroad (AUASP)

I am a student in Faculty of Economics, and when I first entered university, I never thought I would go to study abroad. Honestly, I had a fixed idea that it would be difficult to get into the university because my English level was low compared to the people around me in Faculty of International Relations. However, I have always had an interest in foreign countries and wanted to study abroad, so I applied to study abroad even though I had no luck, and that's how I decided to study abroad.

Before I went to study abroad, I took a selection interview, but it was to check whether I had a purpose and intention to study abroad, and it was not to judge whether I had a purpose or intention to study abroad, and not to judge my ability based on my English ability. Although I was relieved that I would be able to study abroad, I also felt sorry for myself for being so anxious about things like this, so I put even more effort into learning English so that I could depart with confidence.

After leaving Japan, the long-awaited campus life in Malaysia began. However, even though I had studied English very hard to make friends in Malaysia, I encountered a huge difficulty and got stuck in my throat when I tried to actually speak, which made me very depressed. Meanwhile, there was a local staff member of the same age as me working at the reception of the hotel I was staying at, and he listened to my concerns and advice, and also gave me a place to practice conversation by inviting my friends over and having me speak English. They provided a lot. While talking with them, what struck me was that they said, ``We sometimes make grammar mistakes, and as long as we use the correct tense and verb, we can get the message across, so don't worry about it.'' For example, when I spoke English without confidence, he told me, ``Be confident, be confident.'' Thanks to their words, I started speaking more proactively without worrying about making mistakes, and more and more English sentences came out of my mouth. Even if you can't formulate a perfect sentence in your head and it ends up being a mess, try just saying the words first, like comedian Tetsuro Degawa. The other person will understand it properly. Also, although you will probably go to study abroad with Japanese friends, I also recommend making local friends instead of just spending time with Japanese people. By making friends, I had the valuable experience of being taken to restaurants that only locals knew about, and visiting their parents' homes. This may happen, so be proactive and talk to them.

I joined AUASP because I wanted to live in Malaysia, a multi-ethnic country, and learn English in a culture different from Japan. Of course, you don't have to be in Malaysia to learn English, but I was fascinated by learning English in a country like Malaysia, where cultures and religions are mixed.

By actually living in Malaysia, I was able to realize how convenient Japan is with so many options, and I was also able to enjoy the differences in culture and customs between Japan and Malaysia.

For example, if you want to eat vegetables at a Japanese supermarket, you can buy various kinds of vegetables, from raw vegetables to pre-cut vegetables, according to your purpose. Although they have raw vegetables, I was a little confused at first because there were few types and there were no cut vegetables. However, I changed my way of thinking here, and if I wanted to eat vegetables, I tried to substitute vegetable juice instead of raw vegetables, or eat fruits instead. From this experience, I learned that changing the way you think can help you adapt to different cultures and solve problems.

In English classes in Malaysia, students learn the so-called four skills of English, such as grammar and vocabulary. There were some fill-in-the-blank problems in the textbook, just like in English classes in Japan, but learning English in English was very fresh and stimulating for me. In Japan, even if there was something I didn't understand in class, I tended to just ask my friends, but now that I'm studying in Malaysia, I can ask questions in my own words and ask the teacher, "What do you not understand?" I was trying to solve the problem by actively trying to convey it in my own English. For example, when I asked about words with similar meanings and different usages, the teacher who took care of me explained in an easy-to-understand and polite manner, accompanied by example sentences of how to use the words correctly. Also, the teacher who corrected my writing not only corrected my mistakes, but also corrected my paraphrased sentences and appropriate conjunctions. I am very happy that you responded to my question in this way. Through this International Student, my speaking ability has especially improved, and I feel that I am no longer afraid to speak English. Once again, I was able to discover my new strengths.

After International Student Malaysia for 5 months, I became more interested in the culture and religion of Southeast Asian countries. In the future, I would like to work for a Japanese company that is doing business in Southeast Asia. Also, in order not to lose the speaking ability that I improved while studying abroad, I am also considering a job that gives me the opportunity to speak English. The 5 months in Malaysia were the most intense period of my life. No matter what the purpose is, I feel that seeing countries other than Japan with my own feet is an effective way to broaden my horizons, options, and possibilities in the future.

For those of you who are thinking of studying abroad, please study English and have a valuable experience in Malaysia where various races, cultures and religions are mixed!

A few days after arriving in Malaysia, I felt frustrated that there weren't many opportunities to converse in English even after classes started, so I and a Japanese International Student talked to various students on campus. I was able to build a wonderful relationship with the friend I talked to on the first day, and I was able to spend a lot of time with him during my study abroad period. For me, who was not good at speaking and acting on my own initiative, the five months of International Student where I was able to challenge myself and continue to make efforts, was an irreplaceable experience. Gradually, I became able to speak English, and the number of people I could interact with increased. I was reminded that this is not the case. International International Student from all over the world come to study in Malaysia not only to improve their language skills and acquire knowledge, but also to the environment in which they are placed in their own country. I was shocked that there was When I learned that I was studying in Malaysia because of the fragility of the country's educational system and political instability, I was able to learn more about the problems occurring in the world that I had only learned about on paper. I was made to recognize again as a serious problem. In Malaysia, a country of diverse races, interacting with international International Student from all over the world was a valuable experience in learning English and broadening my values and perspectives. I also learned that disagreements can arise when you encounter people who live differently and think differently than you. And for the first time, I realized how much fun it is to express one's thoughts until both parties are satisfied and convey them to the other person. Now that I have finished studying abroad, I feel that the tool of "English" expands the range of people I meet, and that is the significance of learning English.

Above all, I am proud that the 10 students from Asia University who were dispatched as the first batch of AUASP students were able to participate in this study abroad program. Sometimes I ran into trouble because it was my first time, and everything didn't go according to plan. I gained a lot of confidence and was able to build strong bonds. Although each person's awareness and purpose of studying abroad is different, I feel that I was able to maintain my own motivation to study abroad by being inspired by the sight of my friends who are doing their best.

Before studying abroad, I had the impression that studying English was difficult, but now I enjoy using English as a communication tool. In addition, after deciding to study abroad in Malaysia, I feel that each experience I gained through various encounters and events during my five-month International Student in Malaysia has led to my self-confidence. I'm here. I would like to continue to challenge myself with courage while improving my English skills.