Yanagawa English Program

1番思い出に残っている体験はモアルボアルでのダイビングです。モアルボアルまではバスで３時間以上かかりましたが、フィリピンは交通費が安いので400円くらいでいけました。この体験は私の初めてのダイビングで、最初は酸素タンクが重かったり呼吸が難しかったけど1人につき1人ヘルパーさんがいるから練習をしてくれました。ダイビングでは、いろんな種類の海の生き物をとても近くで見ることができました！

My most memorable experience was diving in Moalboal. It took over three hours by bus to get there, but since transportation is inexpensive in the Philippines, it only cost about 400 yen. This was my first diving experience, and at first, the oxygen tank was heavy, and breathing was challenging, but each person was assigned a helper who guided us through practice. During the dive, I was able to see various types of sea creatures up close!

困ったことはもちろん日本とは違うからあったけど、何か大きな問題はありませんでした。小さなことは、歩いてる時に臭いところがあること、チキンだけを食べたくてもライスが付いてくること、クーラーで寒かったり空気が乾燥してて風邪をひきやすいこと、安い商品を1000ペソ紙幣などで払うとお釣りがないから無理と言われる時があることなど、いくつかあります。でも本当に生活してたら慣れてくるし、日本人のスタッフの人もいるから安心して行けると思います。

There were some challenges of course because it’s different from Japan, but there were no major issues. Small things included encountering some smelly areas while walking, always getting rice even if I just wanted chicken, sometimes feeling cold due to the air conditioning or getting a cold from the dry air, and occasionally being told they didn’t have change if I paid for cheap items with a 1,000 peso bill. However, you really get used to these things once you start living there, and there are Japanese staff members, so I think you can go with peace of mind.

私は毎日の英語の授業がとても楽しかったです。私はそれは先生のおかげだと思っています。フィリピンの先生は本当にフレンドリーで優しく、自分に合ったスピードで話したり、内容を考えてくれます。特に私にとっては若い先生が話しやすくて友達のように接することができるので毎日の授業がもっと楽しくなりました。授業は先生によって内容が違います。教科書を進める、日常会話をする、難しめの質問に対しての自分の意見をいう、グループではなすなどたくさんあります。最初の授業で自分は特になにを伸ばしたいか聞いてくれるので、それを伝えれば自分に合った授業をしてくれるのがいいなと思いました。

I really enjoyed the daily English classes. I believe that’s thanks to the teachers. Filipino teachers are incredibly friendly and kind! They adjust the pace to suit you and thoughtfully plan the content. For me, especially, I found it easier to talk with the younger teachers, and I could relate to them like friends, which made the classes even more enjoyable. The content varies depending on the teacher. Some followed a textbook, others made us engaged in daily conversation, discuss personal opinions on challenging questions, or practice group discussions. During the first class, they ask you specifically about what you want to improve, and if you tell them, they tailor the lessons to suit your needs, which I really appreciated.

私は留学プログラムで現地校に行ってたくさん驚くことがありました。まず、フィリピンの生徒は本当にフレンドリーで日本人だー！とひたすら話しかけてくれます。
授業は普段はわからないけど私がいる時は現地の言葉ではなく英語でした。違う国の同年代の子達のクラスに混じって授業を受けるのは自分がもっと英語を頑張らないといけないなと言う気持ちを大きくしてくれました。友達もできて、とてもいい経験になりました。

I had many surprises while attending a local school through this study abroad program. First of all, the Filipino students were incredibly friendly and would constantly come up to me, saying, ‘Wow! Are you Japanese?’ Although I sometimes didn’t understand the classes, they were conducted in English when I was there, not in the local language. Being in a class with peers from a different country made me feel even more motivated to improve my English skills. I made friends and had a really great experience!

フィリピンに行く時は治安とか食事とか不安なことがたくさんあると思います。わたしも来る前や着いてすぐは衝撃的なことがたくさんありました。でも、CWAには先輩や大人の人がたくさんいて、外出する時は一緒に行ってくれるので自分が注意しておけば何も危ないことはないです！持って行けばよかったなと思う物は卒業の時に先生にあげる日本からのプレゼントです。わたしは日本のお菓子とお手紙を書いたけど、日本っぽいキーホルダーや小物を持って行けばよかったなと思いました。ご飯のことは、正直初日や2日目までは少し日本と味が違ってあまり食べてませんでした。でも1週目後半からおかわりが止まらなくなるくらいたくさん食べました。なのでご飯に関しての不安は大丈夫だと思います。この学校は日本人が多いけれど、夏休み期間など以外は大学生や大人の人がほとんどなので進路や将来のことをたくさん話せて、視野が広がってよかったなと思います。こんなに英語で会話をしたのは初めてで、会話ができる嬉しさや新しい言葉を知る楽しさを感じました！私はセブ留学に来て本当に良かったと思います。とてもおすすめの場所なのでぜひ行ってたくさんの思い出を作って欲しいです！

You might have many concerns about safety and food when going to the Philippines. Before I came and right after I arrived, there were a lot of shocking things. However, at CWA(language center), there are many seniors and adults who accompany you when you go out, so as long as you stay cautious, there’s nothing dangerous! One thing I wish I had brought was a gift from Japan to give to my teacher upon graduation. I brought Japanese snacks and wrote a letter, but I wish I had also brought keychains or small items that are more representative of Japan.

Regarding food, to be honest, I didn’t eat much during the first day or two because it tasted a bit different from what I was used to in Japan. However, by the second half of the first week, I couldn’t stop eating because they were delicious! So, I think there’s no need to worry about food. Although there are many Japanese students at this school, there are also many college students or adults, especially outside of summer vacation period. I had the opportunity to talk a lot about career paths and the future with them, which broadened my perspective, and I’m really glad for that. This was my first time having so many conversations in English, and I felt the joy of being able to communicate and the excitement of learning new words! I’m really glad I came to Cebu for my study abroad experience. I highly recommend this place, so please go and create many wonderful memories!