Looking back over the whole study abroad in Australia

Hello!  How have you been?  Most students have less than 1 month left...  I guess the majority of students think it's glad to meet thier Japanese friends and family, but it's hard to say goodbye to their friends they met here, Australia.  I'm thinking the same thing as well.  Anyway, I'm gonna look back through the whole study abroad.

Kansai University students

First of all, I'm sure that my English skill has improved a lot.  Actually, when I came here for the first time, I couldn't speak English almost at all so that I was really afraid of talking to foreign people.  I didn't wanna make other people annyed because of my poor English.  Also, there were many Japanese people.  As for me, I came here as a member of a group of kansai University.  Therefore, even if I didn't make foreign friends, I had many Japanese friends.  At first, I just spent time together with them.  However, I was significantly inspired by one of my friends.  She taught me how important courageously taking action by myself is.

ICTE-UQ experience project

Then, I decided not to eat lunch together with Japanese people and to use English as much as possible.  Moreover, I always keep in mind that "time is money", that is to say, trying to join any activities and make many friends in order not to make boring time.  As a result, I've got many precious friends, satisfying time and higher English skill which isn't sophisticated though.  To reach my goal, I struggled many times and hit the brick wall.  Eventually, I wanted to go back to Japan.  However, my lovely friends and host family always suppoted me sincerely and I could overcome the difficulties.  How lucky I am.  Words cannot describe how I appreciate what they've done for me and love them.

Aecs classmates

I'll never forget what I obtained and learned through this study abroad.  I mean, I learned not only about study but also precious things in my life.  All of my experience in Australia broadened my horizons for the future.  ICTE-UQ, Brisbane and Australia are the best choice ever.  I really appreciate to those who are related to me from the bottom of my heart.  They made my study abroad awesome.  I'm gonna miss them, but this is not the end.  I believe that we can meet again someday.  I'll do everything which I wanna do during the rest of my study abroad.  Come what may, I'll do my best.  Thank you for reading.

Interesting Cultural differences

Hello! How have you been? As for ICTE students, the last session has started!  Finally, we (most Kansai University students) have finished challenging EAP2 !!  Hope you are enjoying your classes!  UQ students...  You seem to have quite a few essay homework...  Break a leg!!  By the way, I would like to talk about cultural differences that I realized through life with host family and alone trip in Cairns.  Are you ready?  Here we go!

My lovely host family

First of all, I've lived with such a nice family and I realized some differences.  In Japan, in general, husbands are reluctant to help wives, whereas in Australia, it is normal that husbands cook dinner and do housework.  With regard to my host family, my great father usually cook delicious dinner for family, although he always comes back to home around 7 pm.  Such a good culture...  Moreover, when he has holiday, he cleans everywhere in the house.  In Japan, it is unlikely to happen.  I think he is an extraordinary father.  I wanna get married the person like him. lol  Japanese men should learn from Australian culture.  haha

A turtle in Green Island

Aside from my host family, I went to Cairns alone!  I have longed for alone trip in a foreign country for a long time, so I was very excited.  Then, I met a lot of awesome people there and surprisingly, I realized that few Japanese people travel alone, while many foreign people are willing to take action by themselves.  I met a number of Japanese people, but all of them came with friends or family.  On the other hand, many people from other countries came alone.  Therefore, it was quite easy for me to make non-Japanese friends!!  And I could make a lot of friends and significantly enjoy alone trip!!  In addition, it could lead to practice of speaking English.  It was an amazing trip.  I will definitely do alone trip again!!!

Fitzroy Island

To be honest, there were also heaps of Chinese tourists.  And, total 9 Chinese people wrongly recognized me as a Chinese person and they talked to me in Chinese...  It was so wired.  I've never recognized me as a Chinese before this trip.  From my point of view, one of the reasons could be alone.  Most Japanese people are usually with someone.  Hence, being alone can result in not being Japanese people lol  Anyway, I realized some cultural differences through my family and my trip.  I'm enjoying the present class very much!!  I'll do everything which I wanna do during the rest of my study abroad.  You only live once!!!  I'll do my best.  Thank you for reading.

Spectacular places in Australia

Hello !  How have you been ??  These days, I'm so busy because of a lot of homework and many enjoyable plans lol  I'm already used to living in Brisbane, but there are many awesome places I haven't been in Brisbane.  Today, I wanna write about one of beautiful places I already went in Brisbane and my trip to Hamilton Island.  Are you ready ?  Here we go !

Heart Reef

I went to Hamilton Island during the last holiday with Asako.  Sea was so beautiful that I could see many fish.  I joined the heart reef and white heaven beach tour.  Unfortunately, the weather was not good, so I couldn't see sun light reflect in the sea.  However, it was awesome !  I felt how amazing great barrier reef is.  As you can see on the right photo, heart reef is so cute :-) !   Hamilton Island is famous for a honeymoon place so that there were a lot of couples there...  I definitely wanna go again as honeymoon lol I recommend you to go Hamilton Island, although it's very expensive lol

Springbrooke National Park

Also, I went to Springbrooke National Park, which is located in Brisbane.  This was also great !!  I do love blue color in nature.  Although it takes a lot of time to go there, it's definitely worth going there !!  After that, we went to Tamborine Mountain to see sunset.  Although is was so cold, the scenery was amazing.  The sunset was so breathtaking in its beauty.  I do love Australia, which has beautiful nature.  In Japan, I rarely saw sky and stars, but now I see every day because they are soooooooo beautiful.  I cannot stop looking at sky at night !! 

Tamborine Mountain

My new class, EAP2, is very difficult for me.  Most students are too high level, so I desperately catch up with classes...  To be honest, after IELTS test, I couldn't concentrate on studying.  Therefore, this is good opportunity to restart.  Although sometimes I feel so sad about my poor English skill, I'm enjoying every day.  In particular, I'm very happy with my host family.  Children are so cute and they always ask me to play together lol  Mother, Father and my Chinese roommate are so kind.  I do love everyone !!!  Thank you for reading !  I'm looking forward to your comment !!

My Great School Life in Australia

Hello !  How's it going ?  Everyone from Kansai University, good job, IELTS test !  I hope that everyone is feeling good after IELTS test !!  By the way, today, I would like to talk about how classes are in a foreign country; Australia, at ICTE-UQ, and how it is different between Japan and Australia in the way of teaching, teachers, classmates and so on.  Are you ready ?  Here we go !

my extraordinary teacher

 First of all, classes in Australia are much more interesting than those in Japan.  To be honest, I'm not familiar with being taught about grammar in English.  Therefore, I have to know about technical terms of grammar now.  In Japan, I don't have any opportunity to learn such things.  Therefore, this is one of the interesting points for me.  Also, during classes, games are often held.  They are so fun !  Games are part of classes !!!  I've never experienced in Japan.  Here, this picture shows the teacher who I really respect.  Her classes were awesome !  I wanna be a teacher like her.

the University of Queensland

At ICTE-UQ, I met a lot of people who have various kinds of nationalities such as Colombian, Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Saudi Arabian, Peruvian, Italian and so on.  So far in my life, I had less chance to talk with foreign people.  I can learn various range of cultural differences in food, lifestyle or the way of thinking.  Moreover, some students are already around 30 years old.  I was very surprised and impressed.  Such 30-year-old friends have their own admirable opinions and ideas.  I really respect them and I appreciate environment that I can talk with them.  Everyone around me are kind and nice! 

Japanese restaurant with KU students

However, most my friends will go back to thier own countries or change thier schools...  I  love them, so I feel sad and I miss them.  I reminded this proverb; "We never meet without a parting."  I believe that I will be able to see people again who I met here, in Australia.  Thus, I lead a marvelous life in Brisbane.  Anyway, I'll live one day at a time.  As you can see, I went to the Japanese restaurant with Kansai University students after IELTS test.  I ate so many delicious Japanese food.  I miss Japanese food...  I wanna go again !  Thank you for reading :-)

Cultural Differences between Australia and Japan

Hi, I'm Haruka.  How are you going?  Approximately two months have already passed since I came to Australia.  My English skill is still bad...  Anyway, I felt and experienced a lot of things.  And I realized some big differences in culture.  I wanna talk about three main differences between Australia and Japan.  Are you ready ??

Japanese Food Party

 First of all, punctuation of transport is totally different.  In Japan, most transportation comes on time.  Even though it is late a few minutes, those people who drive public transportation politely apologise to customers for being late.  On the other hand, in Australia, most buses are late frequently as if they take it for granted.  Moreover, buses sometimes disappear !!  This is unbelievable in Japan.  I'm often bothered by transportation. 

Secondly, obviously, eating culture is different. 

Makizushi

Of course, you know, main dish is different.  In Australia, rice is not common, so it is quite expensive here.  Also, the way of eating is different.  For example, most dishes in Australia are served without seasoning.  I'm staying with home stay family, and I always eat dishes with ketchup, pepper and so on by myself.  In Japan, we use flavorings when we cook.  Therefore, this is one of the most surprising points. 

Mexican Food Party

Lastly, most shops close very early especially on Sunday.  In Japan, the majority of shops open until late at night.  On the contrary, Australian shops basically close at 5 pm.  I was very surprised.  But I think it is a good culture.  This is because most falimy can eat dinner together.  Also, I realized how hard-working Japanese people are.  Anyway, in my opinion, there is no superiority or inferiority in culture.  I went to Japanese and Mexican food parties.  They were absolutely amazing!!  I wanna try various kinds food!  Thank you for reading. 

My Precious Experience in Australia

Hello!  I'm Haruka. 

My New University

About one month has passed since I came to Australia, Brisbane.  This is my first home stay and foreign country.    Everything was new for me; new family, new house, new school, new class, new friends and so on!  Therefore, I was really nervous at first.  Moreover, I can't speak English well.  I didn't have any opportunity to speak English a lot.  I was often disappointed at me because I couldn't understand what host mother and other students said and explain what I wanted to say almost every day.  Sometimes I cried unconsciously.  Also, I came to miss my hometown, my family and friends in Japan...

Lone Pine with My Host Family

However, thanks to kindness of those who around me, I got used to my new life gradually.  I went to Gold Coast, Lone Pine, Mt.Coot-tha and so on.  Also, one of my classmates always makes plans to hang out with classmates, 5 Pink.  All plans were really exciting!  In addition, I was invited a home party.  It was also very enjoyable.  I could talk with foreign students and make many friends.  Talking with foreign friends is very funny because there are various differences between countries.

Picnic with 5 Pink and Tanja

 Honestly, I don't want to study English hard.  I like just communication like chat, but I have to do because whether I can go to the UQ is decided by my score of IELTS.  First session was already over.  Time has passed really fast!  I miss my class, 5 Pink and an extraordinary teacher, Tanja.  I want to be a teacher like her in the future.  I have many worris about next session.  Anyway, I'll do my best.