I have had a dream of studying abroad since I was a junior high school student. From a young age, I have enjoyed Western music and foreign television shows. Also, my parents love to travel, which influenced me and helped me develop an interest in foreign cultures and lifestyles. However, I often felt frustrated because I could not understand English well.

After I entered university, I met many classmates in my English classes who were aiming to study abroad or had already experienced studying abroad in high school. Listening to their experiences made my thought to study abroad even stronger.

During this study abroad program, I hope to meet people from different countries, learn about various cultures, and improve my English communication skills. I would like to become more confident in using English in daily life and academic situations. In addition to improving my English skills, I would like to participate in club activities and be active in various communities. I also hope to deepen my learning experience during my study abroad in a way that is different from what I have in Japan.

In the future, I would like to work to share Japanese culture with people from other countries. As a first step toward this goal, I would like to share the appeal of Japanese culture with local people through the kimono and my hobby, the shamisen. I would like to make this a valuable opportunity not only to improve my English skills, but also to practice intercultural exchange.

[Study]
I was only student from Japan in my class, so I think I was able to learn English in a fortunate environment. In the class, things that I had always thought were normal sometimes made my classmates feel strange, and sometimes their common ideas were difficult for me to understand. At first, I felt differences in the culture and values.
However, everyone in the class was working hard toward the same goal of passing the course. Because of this, we tried to understand and support each other, and we were all able to successfully complete the course in the end. This program was designed as preparation for studying at a university, so I was able to learn more academic content.
In addition, I learned how to take university lecture and how to approach assignments. Ti was a very valuable and meaningful experience for me.

[Daily life]
During the first two months, I was busy with assignments and got tired of my daily life, so I did not have many opportunities to go out with my friends. However, I sometimes went to a nearby café by myself, and I spend relaxing time with my host family after school. I was able to live comfortably.
Gradually, I become closer to my friends from language school. We went out to eat together and sometimes went to the beach. On weekends, these activities helped me refresh myself.
My host family always kind to me. When I felt anxious about school, they encouraged and support me.
Perth has stable weather and a lot of nature, so it is a very peaceful and comfortable city to live in. the public transportation system and living environment are well organized, so I rarely have difficulties in daily life.

[Reflection]
Although it has only been four months since I came to Perth, I experienced many difficulties and challenges. However, if I had not studied abroad, I would not have realized the kindness and diversity of people here. I was also able to realize again how fortunate my environment in Japan is.
Australia is a multicultural country, so I strongly feel the connection between people have differences in language and culture. While learning about many positive aspects of Australis, there were also many moments when I realized the good points of Japan again.
From this month, my university lectures finally began. I am studying more specialized subjects in English with local students comparing with my study in language school. I feel that it will be more difficult than before, and I am also a little nervous.
However, I would like to make the most of my remaining time studying abroad and to spend each day in a meaningful way.

（Study）
During the second half of my study abroad, I started taking regular courses at the university. Unlike the language program in the first half, I had to take lectures with local students and other international students who spoke good English. At first, it was hard for me to keep up with the fast pace and difficult content. However, by preparing and reading the materials before every class, I gradually started to understand the topics much deeper. Compared to university classes in Japan, the lessons here have a lot of group activities and discussions. At first, I was so nervous just to say something, but my classmates were very kind and friendly. Thanks to them, now I can join the discussions proactively without being afraid of making mistakes. Right now, I am taking hospitality and tourism classes. It is a great opportunity for me because I can learn specialized knowledge that I couldn't learn in my major in Japan and see the differences in tourism challenges between Japan and Australia. Some classes even have field work, and seeing the real places in person was a very practical and good experience. After going back to Japan, I want to keep practicing my English by putting myself in environments where I can speak it actively and joining exchange programs with international students. I want to improve not only my English skills but also my motivation for university studies.

（Daily life)
As I got used to life here and expanded my community and friendships, I felt more comfortable and flexible with my time. Now, I am truly enjoying my days in Perth. My daily life with friends is very fulfilling. On weekdays, I attend lectures and then go to the library with my friends to study and do assignments. On weekends, we go to our favorite cafes or hang out at the beach. Also, in the second half of my trip, I moved from my homestay to the university student dormitory. Living in the dorm gives me more freedom than a homestay, but I have to do all the cooking and housework by myself. Plus, communication with my roommates is really important. In Japan, I lived with my parents, so I realized how difficult it is to do everything alone at first, but it was a really good experience to become more independent. There are many events in the dorm, and I am surrounded by good friends, so every day is exciting and fun.

(Reflection)
Seven months have passed since I started living in Perth. When I was in the language school, my social circle was small and limited. But in the second half of my study abroad, I met so many people from different backgrounds like other international students, people on working holidays, local workers, and Japanese students of my age. Learning about their lives made me realize that there are so many different choices in life. They all have clear goals, dreams, and purposes, and they work so hard in a foreign country. Seeing them really motivated me to work harder too. This study abroad was the best time in my life to look at myself and think deeply about my future. In Japan, I thought my lifestyle was normal, but after stepping outside, I realized it is just a minority. I felt that the world is so huge and there is still so much I don't know. That is why I want to keep learning. I will never waste this valuable experience, and in the future, I want to get a job where I can use an international perspective and connect Japan and the world.