Five students of the University of Aizu (UoA) had three weeks of short-term Overseas Programs at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Here are their reports of their classes and daily life in New Zealand.

＜Participants>

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＜Study Reports＞

1. Mr. WakoYuki (a third-year student)

The purpose of this study abroad trip was to overcome my anxiety about communicating with foreign people. As a result, I was able to have conversations with strangers without feeling awkward after studying abroad for three weeks so I was able to achieve my goal.

To achieve my goal, I focus on communicating a lot with my host family. I made it a point to greet them in the morning, before going to bed and talked to them about what had happened during the day while they were eating dinner. My host family also asked me questions over and over again when they didn't understand, and not only did my listening skills improve, but I was also able to learn expressions that were difficult to understand.

I felt that conversations that required specific words, such as those about religion, were still difficult, so I felt that I needed to study the words a little more.

I also felt that I often needed to clearly express my opinion in English. I was often heard like "What do you want to do?" I was asked for my opinion. Beginners, in particular, don't know the ambiguous expressions in English, so we won't be able to express our opinions unless they express their opinions clearly. This study abroad experience also taught me the importance of holding your own opinions firmly.

In New Zealand, it is common to talk to others while waiting time like at a bus stop, and I thought it was a very good culture.

Although it was a short period of three weeks, the ratio of classes and holidays was very good, and I was able to make my days very fulfilling.

2. Ms. FUJIWARA Momoka (a second-year student)

Through my study abroad experience in New Zealand, I was able to experience and learn many things. One of the most memorable experiences during my study abroad was going on a tour. There are so many places to see in New Zealand that I couldn't visit them all, but I went on as many tours as I could with other students from the same university. The tours gave us many different and valuable experiences. For example, seeing glow worms in Waitomo Cave, taking a jet boat on Lake Taupo to see the waterfalls, and watching the traditional Maori dance 「haka」 in Rotorua. All the tours were very enjoyable because I got to see things that are not available in Japan and experienced things for the first time. The most memorable tour for me was the Taupo tour.The Taupo tour started with a jet boat ride to see the Huka Falls followed by parasailing on Lake Taupo, an activity which a parachute is pulled by a motorboat and flies over the water like a kite. I really enjoyed this activity as I had never done it before. I was also very happy to make friends with the kids from the same university and other universities who were on the trip with us.

New Zealand is a place with very rich nature compared to Japan, and I was able to live in a place where I was healed by nature every day. Many New Zealanders are calm and kind, and even when I spoke poor English, they listened seriously and asked me politely. So even though it was my first time studying abroad, I felt comfortable. While I was studying abroad, I often wished I could speak English better, so I decided to continue studying English hard to overcome my English weaknesses that I had learned while studying abroad.

Finally, I believe that what I have experienced and felt during this short term study abroad is a memory that I will never forget. I am very happy to have participated in such a wonderful study abroad experience. And I am full of gratitude to all the people who have kindly and warmly supported me.

If you are studying abroad for the first time or want to be healed by nature, how would you like to study in New Zealand?

3. Mr. HATAZAWA Ryota (a second-year student)

I have experienced a lot in New Zealand. But I think the most interesting thing was learning the Maori language. There were Maori classes at school where I learnt phrases like 'kia ora (hello.)', 'kei te pai (I'm fine.)' and so on. At first I couldn't understand why these classes were offered because I thought Maori was only used by indigenous people and not widely spoken anymore. However, living in New Zealand, I often heard and saw Maori being used. On trains there were announcements in Maori after the English ones. At the zoo there were signs in both English and Maori. In the following lessons I also learned about the people of New Zealand. There are Maori people, people with Maori heritage and non-Maori people. I understood why this was important. I also realised that there is another reason to learn Maori: it gives you a deeper understanding of Maori history and culture.

I also learnt about some aspects of English culture and language. New Zealand was a British colony, so British English is widely spoken. However, I mainly learned American English, which was a bit challenging. For example, differences like 'washing' and 'laundry', 'French fries' and 'chips', and 'gas' and 'petrol' took some getting used to.

In this study abroad program, I was able to learn not only the English language, but also the English culture. These are important experiences. I want to use these things to learn English or communicate with foreign people while respecting their culture and background.

4. Ms. ISHII Mana (a first-year student)

I have experienced a lot in New Zealand. But I think the most interesting thing was learning the Maori language. There were Maori classes at school where I learnt phrases like 'kia ora (hello.)', 'kei te pai (I'm fine.)' and so on. At first I couldn't understand why these classes were offered because I thought Maori was only used by indigenous people and not widely spoken anymore. However, living in New Zealand, I often heard and saw Maori being used. On trains there were announcements in Maori after the English ones. At the zoo there were signs in both English and Maori. In the following lessons I also learned about the people of New Zealand. There are Maori people, people with Maori heritage and non-Maori people. I understood why this was important. I also realised that there is another reason to learn Maori: it gives you a deeper understanding of Maori history and culture.

I also learnt about some aspects of English culture and language. New Zealand was a British colony, so British English is widely spoken. However, I mainly learned American English, which was a bit challenging. For example, differences like 'washing' and 'laundry', 'French fries' and 'chips', and 'gas' and 'petrol' took some getting used to.

In this study abroad program, I was able to learn not only the English language, but also the English culture. These are important experiences. I want to use these things to learn English or communicate with foreign people while respecting their culture and background.

5. Ms. MUTO Momo (a first-year student)

I experienced a lot of interesting things in New Zealand. I'll talk focusing on lessons, outings, conversations, and something new about New Zealander culture.

First, I'll think about lessons in the University of Waikato. I took classes from 9 am to 3 pm on weekdays. In class, I trained not only reading, listening, speaking, and writing but also pronunciation and idioms. Thanks to it, I became to be able to pronounce English with confidence. My host mother often praised me that my pronunciation is almost same as a native speaker. Also I had some chances to write long passages based on some topics like a summarize of a book and my favorite gift. I had to finish it in short time. I feel that I became to be able to express what I want to say in English quickly than before.

Second, I'll think about outings. Outings were important opportunities for me to improve my English. Because most of my classmates in the university talked to me in Japanese. So I could speak English a lot on weekends. Every weekend, I visited different cities like Waitomo, Taupo, Auckland, and Rotorua. I tried to talk to people as possible as I can. Sometimes, I couldn't understand New Zealander English. However, I did my best to listen to their English and express my ideas. Talking to New Zealander from myself is the biggest reason why I could improve my English.

Third, I'll think about conversations. I made efforts to communicate with my host mother as possible as I can. Also I did my best to talk to students in the University of Waikato collage. Because interacting with foreigners is one of the purposes to study abroad. It needs a courage to talk to people from myself. Therefore, I could feel a sense of accomplishment after I talk with people. While I was talking with New Zealander people, I tried to steal their expressions. Because I wanted to get the native way to express. If I want to say something, but I don't know how to say it in English, we can use some apps to translate. However, I think that English by translator like Google translate and DeepL is awkward and native English speakers don't say like that. So I want to use the words and sentences which native English speakers use. Then I tried it. It was useful for me.

Finally, I'll talk about something new about New Zealander culture. I found two different culture between New Zealand and Japan. First, in New Zealand, I don't see plastic things than Japan. In Japan, most of merchandise has plastic wrapping. However, in New Zealand, we don't usually see it. I think that not using plastic is good for us. Because we have to think about global warming. Second, I could see all gender toilet in New Zealand. I've never seen it in Japan before. So I was really surprised when I see it for the first time in New Zealand. I hope I can see it inJapan too someday.

For only three weeks, I learned and experienced a lot of things and I can't forget them. I keep these memories in my mind and I want to study abroad in longer term again.