Eight students of University of Aizu (UoA) had three-weeks short-term Oversea Programs at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand on UoA's short-term Overseas Study Programs for Academic year 2017.

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

Participants

• Ms. Sakurako Kimura (a first-year student) Blog
• Mr. Yuya Hoshi (a first-year student) Blog
• Mr. Kazuki Mori (a first-year student) Blog
• Ms. Rumina Agata (a second-year student) Blog
• Mr. Yuhei Nagai (a first-year student) Blog
• Mr. Daichi Yokota (a second-year student) Blog
• Mr. Ryusei Takano (a first-year student) Blog
• Mr. Sora Isobe (a first-year student) Blog

Grade during the program

Study Report

Sakurako Kimura (a first-year student)

In this program, what I gained first is the stronger attraction to overseas. That is because I was able to actually touch a culture different from Japan, such as environment, life, people, as well as other languages such as English.

In the school, although the Japanese were conspicuous overall, students were replaced and my class was a good opportunity to learn with students from other countries such as China and Saudi Arabia. The content was also related to the differences in the cultures of each country. And there was more time for students to speak English with each other than the time teacher speaks to unilaterally. Besides the classes, there was a Japanese Class. I had the opportunity to communicate with the students learning Japanese locally, and I was also motivated to study English, looking at their enthusiastic efforts towards other languages.

It is a waste just staying home after school and on weekends. During the stay, we were blessed with the weather, so I went to the shopping mall and sightseeing spot almost every day. I could hear English from around during off-campus life as well. Also, I purchased tickets and went shopping in English, so I felt that these environments are precious things that I cannot experience in Japan.

In the homestay, my host mother gave me a conversation time at a speed that I could understand at the end of the day, and cared about me so I wouldn't feel inconvenience. In NZ, regarding food, clothing, life style, for example the morning starts early, and people and shops start to be crowded at around 7 o'clock, and on the contrary the living habit like going home before 18 o'clock is the basis. The staple food is potatoes and chicken, and I will not forget the surprise when the people ate those foods as they are for dinner on the first day. Such cultural differences were exciting.

I strongly believe that my first overseas experience was good with this idyllic, nature rich country and warm people. I would like to encourage myself to learn English by making use of my experience.

Yuya Hoshi (a first-year student)

I went to the University of Waikato pathways college for three weeks. I could experience a lot of valuable things in class and in Homestay.

●About University
We were split class by test, I became Upper Intermediate A class. In the class, there were many Saudi students who were teachers and many Japanese University students. Everyone's English ability was very high and I could learn high level English, so I was very satisfied. I had a chance to make a presentation, so I made a presentation about Great East Japan Earthquake to get other country's people to be interested in it. I could observe many things. I got a confident for the future. Also, there was a library for pathways college students. We could learn English for appropriate English book, sound, movie, and so on. Also, there were many events to communicate with local students in Waikato for example, sports day, assist for Japanese language class and English club, so I could communicate with many people. I had fulfilling days.

●About Homestay
By experiencing overseas life for three weeks, I learned the culture difference and lifestyle differences between Japan and New Zealand. And by using English every time, I could start to speak English naturally. I think I was able to experience these things through only Homestay.

Kazuki Mori (a first-year student)

I joined overseas study program for about three weeks at Pathways College of Waikato in New Zealand. Going abroad was my first experience, but I was able to challenge freely with the support of the solid traveling procedures. In addition, scholarships were provided and the burden of study abroad expense was reduced. There are several advantages of short-term study abroad in New Zealand. One is to do a homestay. I think that you can know more about different cultures and deepen your understanding. I got an opportunity to have a chance to talk a lot of things with homestay family.

I think that I began to study naturally from my intention that I want to tell people something. I studied English for three weeks at a language school in the university. By taking the test on the first day, we were divided into classes suitable for our own ability. The picture below shows a cl