Summary

I believe coming to Kamloops, Canada, was a great decision. Initially, the 99 day duration felt long, but now, with only a little time left, I feel differently. At first, I had some anxieties, wondering if I would enjoy myself or make friends from abroad. Surprisingly, these worries faded away during these incredibly fast three months. Reflecting on this study abroad experience, it has been enriching and enjoyable. I engaged in various activities, ate delicious food, and made friends from overseas, expanding my social connections. Additionally, I felt and experienced the cultural differences between Canada and Japan. It’s impressive that the dinner time is different, and the people are friendlier than in Japan and workplaces where employees seemed happier compared to Japan. Initially, I struggled to communicate with the residents during fieldwork, but by the end, it was so hard to say goodbye that I cried in the end. The classes were longer and hard compared to my time in Japan, yet incredibly enjoyable. Learning in English, a language that is not my native language, was tough initially, and I felt drained every day. However, gradually improving my listening skills and getting accustomed to hearing English made classes more enjoyable. Particularly, I found Cherie’s class to be the most enjoyable. Every week, I looked forward to hearing about everyone’s fieldwork experiences and sharing my own. I believe learning how to write resumes will be beneficial for my future. Finally, I still need to improve my English, but I feel I have grown in various aspects throughout these three months.