[Study Abroad Experience] My Three Years of True Love at Changpuchuan University, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

[Study Abroad Destination] University of Otago, New Zealand
[Study Abroad Period] February 2026 – March 2026
[Types of Study Abroad] Short-term study abroad at partner universities

What it's like at the university where I'm studying abroad

Approximately 9% of the international students in this program were Japanese, but there were also students from various other countries and regions, including China, South Korea, and Kuwait. Most of the Japanese students came from universities in the Kanto and Kansai regions, and I believe Hirosaki University was the only university from a regional area participating.

The curriculum consisted of 15 hours of basic English per week and 5 hours of classes on New Zealand culture and history. In the basic English classes, we learned content that would normally be taught in middle and high school, and in the culture and history classes, we learned about Maori culture and also visited a museum near the university. Our homeroom teacher was very friendly, and we were able to learn in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
I was in an afternoon class, which started at either 12:00 or 14:00 depending on the day and went on until 17:00.

The campus had gift shops, vintage clothing stores, cafes, and a gymnasium that was free to use, so I was able to spend a fulfilling time just within the university grounds.

I also used a system called "Language Match" to interact with Singaporean students learning Japanese, spending time together before classes and on weekends. I was particularly impressed by the opportunity to encounter slang and abbreviations that you can't learn from textbooks.

 

My host family consisted of five people: a father, mother, and three children aged 8, 5, and 3. Both parents were considerate of Japanese culture while also allowing me to experience local life, so I had a very comfortable and fulfilling time. Playing with the children was a daily routine, and we did a lot of fun activities away from the digital age, such as origami, pretend fighting, soccer, and swimming.

 

I went to watch a rugby match at a stadium near the university over the weekend. What really impressed me was that after the match, spectators were allowed onto the field and could get autographs and photos taken directly with the players.

How to approach English from now on
Through studying for the entrance exam, I had developed a certain level of reading, writing, and listening skills, but I realized that when it came to speaking, my grammar and vocabulary were at a middle school level. I could have everyday conversations with shopkeepers and my host family, but I struggled to discuss deeper topics, which was frustrating. On the other hand, it was a great gain to be able to understand where my English ability currently stands. From now on, I think the important thing is "how to improve" my English skills.

- In a good way, don't worry about what others think and be true to yourself. 　
I was very impressed by the many people there who were enjoying colorful clothes and expressing their individuality through fashion. As someone who usually chooses simple clothes like black, white, and gray, their confident expression of individuality was very appealing to me.
When I bought a pink outfit at a vintage clothing store during my stay, my host mother said to me, "I have the impression that Japanese people wear simple clothes, but that pink outfit is great! You'll definitely wear it in Japan too, right?" That comment made me want to enjoy wearing clothes that make me feel good more, even in Japan. There's no "right answer," but I realized that it's important to cherish my own individuality.

*The faculty and year of study are as of the time of the study abroad program.