Hello. This is Kasumi Ozawa from Kanazawa Campus. Recently, I accompanied 11 third-year students as they began a year of study and life in Dunedin, New Zealand. In this article, I reflect on the students’ first few days as they settled into life in Dunedin.

On April 9, the students departed from Narita Airport. They appeared calm at times and nervous at others, but they all shared a strong sense of anticipation.　As they boarded NZ90, they left behind their familiar routines and stepped into a new environment that would challenge them academically and personally.　After traveling through Auckland, we arrived in Dunedin the following day. The city greeted us with clear skies, crisp air, and a slower pace of life. Located on the southeastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Dunedin is a university town known for its rich natural surroundings, history, and strong academic culture.

Although the long journey had been tiring, the moment the students met their host families, their tension eased. Warm greetings, simple conversations, and welcoming smiles set the tone for what lay ahead. At that moment, we realized that the experience was no longer simply a study program but the start of everyday life in a new country.

The students will be studying at Otago Polytechnic, an institution that has a long-standing partnership with our school of over two decades. With its strong emphasis on applied and professional education, Otago Polytechnic provides learning that is closely connected to society and industry. With the solid foundation they have built at the Hakusanroku Campus, studying engineering in English provides each student with a valuable opportunity to expand their own potential.
The first weekend was spent with host families, giving students their first genuine experience of daily life in New Zealand. Adjusting to unfamiliar customs and communicating in English was not always easy, yet these challenges gradually helped build confidence. Everyday moments such as shared meals, casual conversations, and daily routines slowly transformed initial anxiety into curiosity and motivation.

The following Monday marked the beginning of a two-week orientation program called “Global Studies”. Through this program, students learned about academic expectations, cultural values, and the practical aspects of living in New Zealand. As their understanding deepened, so did their sense of readiness. They began approaching their new lives not as short-term visitors, but as residents responsible for their own decisions.
One particularly memorable event was the traditional Māori welcome ceremony hosted by Otago Polytechnic. Through a heartfelt speech and a song performed by faculty and staff, the students were warmly welcomed not only to the campus, but also to the land and its history. In response, Kotori Mae delivered a speech on behalf of our school, followed by a group song performance of “Himawari no Yakusoku”. Using the image of sunflowers facing the sun, the song expresses unwavering care, friendship, and lasting bonds that transcend time and distance. The students chose this song themselves, believing its message truly reflected the spirit of the occasion. As the students sang together, their voices filled the space and created a sense of mutual understanding that went beyond language.

Afterwards, the students joined a campus tour and visited various facilities across the campus. During their visit to the sports facility “Unipol”, they were impressed by the extensive and well-equipped facilities, and many expressed their eagerness to begin using them. For our students, Unipol is not only a place for physical fitness, but also an important space for interaction with local students. At the library, they observed many learners studying quietly and with strong concentration. Seeing this dedicated atmosphere appeared to inspire them and gave them a clearer sense of the academic environment they would soon be part of. Experiencing these facilities firsthand, the students felt their excitement grow about studying and living in such a supportive environment. It was a moment when they truly sensed that their time in Dunedin was beginning not only as a period of learning, but as daily life itself.

That afternoon, the students took an important step toward daily life in New Zealand by opening local bank accounts. Holding their debit cards, some spoke about the need to value and carefully manage the financial support they receive from their families. The experience highlighted that studying abroad is a time when students are warmly supported by others, while at the same time being guided toward independence in their own lives.

In conversations with the students, one shared, “I couldn’t be here without my family’s support. I want to make the most of every single day and honor the trust they have placed in me.” Another reflected with a smile, “Dunedin feels calm and comfortable, not too busy. I think I will really enjoy living here.”

The year ahead will be shaped by the choices the students make, the challenges they face, and the people they meet. Through these experiences, each student will discover their own path and return home with a stronger sense of confidence and perspective.

Through this ICT Journal, we will continue to share their journey. We hope you will follow along as these students grow, learn, and find their place in New Zealand.

Kasumi Ozawa