During my study abroad experience, I have been immersed in an environment where I use English all day, both in and out of class. This has helped me gain confidence in speaking English, and I have become more proactive in conversations. In the past, I hesitated to use English while traveling and avoided it whenever possible. However, now I genuinely enjoy speaking with others, whether it’s asking questions while shopping at duty-free stores or discussing culture over meals with international friends.

Through daily interactions, English has become a natural part of my life, allowing me to form deep friendships with people from different nationalities. We not only enjoy casual conversations but also face conflicts at times. However, I have learned to express my feelings clearly in English and resolve issues through calm discussions. Before studying abroad, I struggled to articulate my emotions, even in Japanese. This experience has taught me the importance of effective communication, helping me grow not just in language skills but also in interpersonal relationships.

Unlike in Japan, where friends have separate schedules, study abroad life offers constant interaction from morning to night. Living in a dorm and sharing daily experiences creates strong bonds. I have made close friends of different ages and backgrounds, and our deep conversations about life and future dreams have led to meaningful friendships beyond nationality or age differences.

Additionally, witnessing poverty firsthand and participating in volunteer activities changed my perspective. Seeing people in difficult conditions still finding joy in life made me realize how privileged my upbringing was. Experiencing these realities in person, rather than just reading about them, has broadened my worldview and reshaped my values.

Being surrounded by students from various countries—such as Korea, China, Vietnam, and France—has also deepened my understanding of different cultures. I learned to respect different customs, including religious dietary restrictions and table manners. Initially, some cultural differences were challenging, but by staying open-minded, I came to appreciate their uniqueness. This experience has strengthened my adaptability and cultural awareness.

Through this journey, I have grown not only in language proficiency but also in cross-cultural understanding, adaptability, and communication skills. Living with people from diverse backgrounds has been an invaluable experience that I could not have had in Japan. While I still have a long way to go before achieving fluency, I will continue working hard to make the most of my remaining time abroad.