Kanon

When I entered high school, I started with online classes because of COVID. Due to the situation, I had to give up a study trip to Poland, which was disappointing. Under these circumstances, the Dual Diploma Program* was first introduced at Himeji Jogakuin in the summer of my sophomore year. This would be a great opportunity to have another option to go abroad, so I enrolled in the program.

Due to COVID, all school trips and other activities were canceled. However, when the situation calmed and improved in March during my sophomore year, I was able to travel with my classmates on a school trip to Tokyo, which was very memorable.

We enjoyed the cultural festival and became good friends. Louis, who was good at English, helped me with my assignments for the Dual Diploma Program, and she accompanied me every day after school to study. We studied both Japanese and English, which helped us improve our communication skills with each other. We enjoyed the cultural festival together.

English Shower classes started in our grade, allowing one-on-one conversations with an ALT teacher, which effectively improved our English skills. Classes ran until 7th period on Tuesdays and Thursdays, providing more learning opportunities. Additionally, I attended many supplementary classes for the Special Preparatory International Education Course during the summer holidays.

I struggled at first with headaches and skin issues due to my new environment. However, I’ve since adapted and improved my English communication skills. The university is composed of around 30% international students, highlighting the diversity of food preferences, religion, and levels of English. I appreciate the free school culture, which has no strict norms for dressing or behavior. In contrast, American students often demonstrate strong family ties, frequently communicating with their mothers and returning home after breaks.

I have not yet decided on a major, but I am taking a lot of science courses. This is because my goal is to achieve all in the sciences. For example, I would like to study statistics to become a manager, and I would also like to become a pilot, so I would like to think about this while studying a wide range of disciplines at first.

It’s been a year since I came to the U.S., and I’m getting by well. While English preparation is important, I’ve found that speaking in real-life situations will get you by more smoothly. When I decided to attend the dual diploma program and came to the U.S., I was concerned about how effective my English skills would be. However, I learned that instead of letting anxiety hold me back, it’s important to move forward, as my skills will gradually improve over time.