The EF Study Abroad Program for 2nd-year students was held during the summer vacation. Now in its third year, the program aims not only to improve students’ English proficiency but also to encourage them to challenge themselves in a different cultural environment and develop the skills and confidence needed to connect with people around the world.
 Students studied at the destination and for the duration of their choice. Through classes and daily life abroad, they interacted with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and developed practical English communication skills. The program also provided valuable opportunities for students to strengthen qualities essential in an international environment, including intercultural understanding, independence, and collaboration.
 The experience was also an important step in preparing students for their study abroad program in New Zealand, scheduled for the following academic year. By living and studying overseas, the students gained a greater understanding of what it means to learn in another country and became better prepared for their next international experience.
 Students who successfully completed the program were awarded two credits for the second-year elective course, “Overseas English Training.”

■Participants

Touna Konno and Reo Sakai : USA, EF San Diego
Akira Terashima: UK, EF Brighton

■Studying with EF Education First

 EF Education First was founded in Sweden in 1965 and is currently headquartered in Switzerland. It offers language study abroad and cultural exchange programs in English and other languages. Its programs feature an international learning environment, dedicated EF campuses with a wide range of facilities, and curricula informed by research conducted in collaboration with leading universities around the world.
 Before beginning their studies, students take a placement test and are assigned to classes appropriate to their level of English. With an emphasis on active participation and communication, classes provide students with opportunities to develop their practical English skills, particularly their speaking ability.
A variety of activities highlighting the unique characteristics of each location are also available, giving students opportunities to experience different cultures and build friendships with people from around the world.

■Student Presentation Session

 On October 1, 2026, students who participated in the EF Study Abroad Program shared their experiences in a poster presentation session at the Hakusanroku Campus.
 Using photographs taken during their time abroad, the students explained what they had experienced and learned to visitors. Both the presentations and Q&A sessions were conducted entirely in English. It was particularly impressive to see the students speaking confidently in their own words, maintaining eye contact with their audience, and responding to questions in English.
Their presentations clearly demonstrated how much they had developed their practical English communication skills and, in particular, their ability to express and communicate their ideas to others. Each student’s poster highlighted different aspects of their experience, including classes, activities, daily life, and cultural discoveries. Below are some highlights from their presentations.

Touna Konno

Touna spoke about school life in the United States and the many experiences gained during the program. He explained that studying abroad had improved his English skills and made it easier to understand English signs and information encountered around the school and throughout the city. He also actively joined groups of local American students and gained valuable experience using English in real-life communication.
 Another topic was the difference between food cultures in Japan and the United States. For example, seeing calorie information displayed at restaurants and on food products provided an opportunity to notice different attitudes toward food and eating habits.
 Outside the classroom, Touna also tried surfing and visited Old Town, where there were opportunities to experience Mexican culture and cuisine. The presentation showed that the program offered much more than English study alone, providing firsthand exposure to a variety of cultures and ways of life.

Reo Sakai

Reo spoke about the distinctive classes, daily life, and extracurricular activities experienced in San Diego. In one class, American movies were used to explore local culture and slang, providing an opportunity to learn authentic English that is difficult to encounter through textbooks alone. Through interactions with classmates from countries including Italy, Reo also became aware of the variety of accents and speaking styles among English speakers from different backgrounds.
 Food was another memorable part of the experience. He enjoyed trying a variety of foods, including Mexican cuisine. An encounter with a Spanish-speaking restaurant employee also sparked an interest in Spanish and provided an opportunity to learn some simple words and expressions. Daily life abroad also highlighted cultural differences between Japan and other countries, including different attitudes toward time.
 Outside class, Reo participated in activities such as surfing, thrifting, and museum visits. Through these activities and encounters with people from different backgrounds, he gained a new perspective and reflected on his personal growth, as well as cultural differences that can best be understood through firsthand experience.

Akira Terashima

 Akira focused on the homestay experience and school life in the UK. He stayed with a welcoming British host family with a three-year-old child. Everyday interactions with the host family provided valuable opportunities to experience British culture and hear natural English used in daily life.
 At school, an event called “Mingle Monday” provided opportunities to meet students from a wide range of countries. Approximately half of the students in the class were from Europe, and Akira interacted with classmates from countries including France, Italy, and Germany.
 One of the most significant discoveries was that English pronunciation and speaking styles can vary greatly depending on a person’s country and background. Rather than experiencing only British English, Akira was exposed to many different varieties of English spoken by people from around the world.
 Through the program, Akira gained not only more experience using English but also a deeper understanding of different cultures and perspectives, both within the UK and beyond.

■Looking Back on the Program

A common message from the participating students was that the program offered them a great deal and became a valuable experience that they were glad to have taken part in. The EF Study Abroad Program provided much more than an opportunity to improve language skills. By encountering different cultures and values, navigating unfamiliar situations, and communicating with people from around the world, students were able to reflect on themselves and develop greater confidence in connecting with others across cultures.
We hope that many more students will take advantage of this opportunity next year and take their own first step toward broadening their horizons.