The summer program was held for three weeks from August 2022th (Monday) to August 8nd (Friday), 8 at Thompson Rivers University in Canada, a partner university of Hirosaki University.
Seven students from our university participated.
Although there are still many restrictions due to the corona crisis, students who have experienced studying abroad before us told us about their various experiences at their study abroad destinations.
Let's expand the image of studying abroad with reference!
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Mikiko Kudo
Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Food Resources 4th year
I went to Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, Canada for three weeks as a short-term study abroad.As it was my first time abroad, I was a little worried, but I felt that the area is relatively safe and the people are kind.In Kamloops, most people didn't wear masks, but the infection control measures were similar, with notices to prevent new coronavirus infection on the bus and alcohol disinfectants at the entrance of the store.Online study abroad is also meaningful, but there were many things that I was able to experience only locally, such as conversation with my host family, difficulty in listening to the English spoken by my neighbors, food, scenery, and atmosphere.
Rintaro Toda
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Cultural Creation Course 4th year
Students from all over the world participated in this program.Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, Ghana.I've heard the name, but know nothing about the country.After many conversations in languages other than their mother tongue, and spending time together as schoolmates every day, I came to realize that the language barrier was not the stubborn concrete that I had imagined, but something like a fumbling twilight with mutual help.Gradually English became a means rather than an end.Then we tried to learn the language they spoke, and we started teaching each other languages and cultures.Just by making one foreign friend, I felt that that country was approaching me with the same sense of distance as the events in my own country.What I learned in Canada was the importance of having such friends, more than knowledge of English.
Kazuma Takahashi
4th year, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology
It was my first time abroad, so I was impressed by the fact that English was the common language and the dry, sunny landscape that was clearly different from Japan.
I also got the impression that they are highly conscious of environmental issues.Compared to Japan, PET bottle drinks are about 4 Canadian dollars, which is expensive and difficult to buy, and there is a service to buy empty bottles.There are trash cans for raw garbage, and I got the impression that they put a lot of effort into sorting them.
There was also the trouble of getting lost alone on the way home from university.When I asked passers-by, I could ask them to teach me politely, and I felt their kindness.
Emi Katsuta
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Cultural Creation Course 4th year
When studying English, I often hear the opinion that short-term study abroad is meaningless.Certainly, improving your English qualification score may have little effect.However, I think that the advantage I felt after studying abroad for a short period of 3 weeks was that "a small challenge every day can lead to a big progress within myself."For example, if you can do trivial things in Japan, such as ordering coffee for the first time in English, specifying split bills, or asking for something, being able to do them in English in a foreign country will give you confidence.You can continue to accumulate so-called small success experiences indefinitely in 3 weeks, and you can gain the awareness that you are certainly moving forward.I think this is an experience that can be (at a good price) because it is a short-term study abroad program in which you return to your home country before you get used to living abroad.
Miki Miyagawa
Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Food Resources 4th year
During the summer vacation, I attended a language school at Trypson Rivers University in Kamloops, Canada for three weeks.First of all, when I went to Canada, I felt that the nature is beautiful, and that Canada is a place where many immigrants have gathered, and unlike Japan, it is becoming more diverse.Since it is natural that each person is different, there are many people who can be tolerant towards foreigners, and it was very easy to live here.Security was very good, but there were many things that were different from Japan, such as the sudden cancellation of buses, and it was interesting to feel that.At first, I felt uneasy about studying abroad, but in the end everything worked out and I was really glad I went.It cost money, but I learned more than that.If I hadn't come to Canada, I would have never met this person in my life, and I just feel that I am really glad that I studied abroad.During the three weeks, I was able to meet various people and feel the joy of speaking in English.
Saki Niioka
School of Medicine Department of Psychological Support Science 2nd year
At first, I was very worried about whether I would be able to communicate in English alone, but when I started talking to them, they tried to understand what I wanted to say.It was a great experience for me to learn that the most important thing in communication is not words, but smiles.I had to submit a negative certificate when I returned to Japan from studying abroad during the corona crisis, so I spent the last few days worrying about whether I was infected with COVID-XNUMX.I didn't have any particular problems with food or lifestyle, and I only have fond memories of the kindness of the people there, so I highly recommend Kamloops.
market price
Faculty of Medicine Department of Medicine 1st year
I studied abroad for three weeks at Thompson Rivers University in Canada.
University classes are divided into lectures and activities.All the classes were in English, but the content was that they learned about Canadian culture in a game format, so even those who were not good at English could participate while having fun.In activities, I was able to fully experience Canada's rich nature, such as kayaking and hiking.
Also, through the homestay, I was at the mercy of cultural differences, but I had an experience that I could not have in Japan.
Before I knew it, I was more confident in speaking English than before I started studying abroad.I think it was good that there were many opportunities for output compared to the study before studying abroad, which was nothing but input, and that I was inspired by local people and international students from other countries who were not afraid to be proactive.
Although I traveled due to the corona crisis, I am grateful for the full support of the university.
