Hello, I am Ryona Natsuki, a 3rd year student of ICT. I am currently studying at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, New Zealand. This study abroad program is for 3rd year students of our school, and students live in NZ for a year in a homestay. This time, I would like to talk about my homestay life, the daily events, and my tragedy in NZ.

First, I want to talk about “my homestay life in NZ”. My homestay is located about 40 minutes by car from the school. When I leave school, I take the bus, and I have to change buses. There are not many buses available, so I rarely go anywhere with my friends in the evening. However, because of this, I am able to take evening walks to the sea and spend time with my host family. My host family is like my real parents, and they are strict with me when I don't meet their standards, which allows me to continue living a fulfilling life. I am very grateful to my host family for providing me with healthy and delicious food in a lovely house.

Next, I will talk about “how I spend my time after school”. I have always loved volleyball and used to play with my friends at the Hakusanroku Campus. In NZ, there is a gymnasium located a five-minute walk from the campus where we play volleyball almost every day after school. Japanese anime, “Haikyu‼”, is the reason why many overseas students started playing volleyball. Because I love the anime myself, we get along well, and I have made quite a few friends through volleyball now. I also have friends who are studying Japanese because they want to live in Japan, and I sometimes teach them Japanese, which leads to mutual cultural exchange and an enjoyable time. Furthermore, my friends sometimes invite me to volleyball tournaments and club activities, so I have been able to interact with many people through volleyball, which is very fulfilling.

I enjoy playing volleyball at this gym called "Unipole".バレーボールを楽しむ体育館　Unipol

Finally, I want to talk about “the biggest tragedy of studying abroad”. I have made this mistake myself and there is nothing I can do about it. However, please read on as it is something that is often overlooked when studying abroad, and you will really regret it. There is limited insurance coverage for studying in NZ. In this situation, I am suffering from tooth decay. Cavities are not covered by insurance while studying here, and the cost of treatment is really high without insurance. Before I came to NZ, I did not have a dental check-up and enjoyed my last Japanese meal. Even though I brush my teeth daily, all my previous cavities were released at once when I arrived in NZ, and the tragedy began in May. My teeth hurt, and I had to go to the dentist where my host family advised me to have an examination. By doing so, I had to pay $275 (about ￥25,000) for a single tooth. I brushed my teeth within 5 minutes of every meal to avoid cavities so that I would never have to spend this extra money again. However, this was only the beginning. Before coming to NZ, I didn't take good care of my teeth, which led to more cavities and cost me around $3,000 (about ￥270,000) in dental treatment. I felt stupid and depressed about what I was doing. I want to make sure that this does not happen to anyone who reads this. Also, I will ensure that this does not happen to me again.

I hope to create more great memories by sharing experiences with my host family and friends during the rest of my stay until March of next year.

Ryona Natsuki

Hello, I'm Tenzing Deguchi, currently studying abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand, during my 3rd year in ICT. I'm really enjoying my time here, especially with all the sports and music activities I do with my friends. But without a doubt, the best memory of my study abroad experience so far has been the ski trip to Queenstown.

Early in the morning on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024, the teachers and students gathered on campus, and we took a bus about 160 km to Wanaka. On the bus, we had a blast singing karaoke, using a speaker we brought along to play music. On the way, we stopped to eat New Zealand’s famous meat pies and played in a park before getting back on the bus. After a while, we arrived at “Puzzling World”. Puzzling World is like an optical illusion museum, with a lot of art that plays tricks on your eyes. There were rooms and mazes we could actually walk into and interact with. It was so much fun watching my normally tall friend suddenly appear short!

At the Mexican restaurantメキシカンレストランにて

Our accommodation was nearby, with six of us in one room. After unpacking, we immediately headed to Lake Wanaka, which was right in front of us. Since we’re a group of energetic boys, it didn’t take long for an impromptu shoving match to start by the water, which got super intense and fun. In the end, Natsuki lost and had to return with wet clothes and shoes. That night, we had Mexican food and stopped by a supermarket to grab snacks and dessert (ice cream, of course).

On the second day, we went to Cardrona Alpine Resort—this was the main highlight of the trip. We've had a lot of fun skiing and snowboarding during our stay at Hakusanroku Campus, but everyone agreed that this was our best skiing experience yet. New Zealand doesn’t get as much snow as Japan, so the ski resorts are at higher altitudes, and most of the snow is artificial. The snow was light and powdery, and while there were a lot of people, the breathtaking scenery more than made up for it. We skied under a bright blue sky, with stunning mountains stretching out to the horizon. Since there weren’t any trees on the slopes, we could ski anywhere we wanted, which really ignited our sense of adventure. However, amidst all the excitement, one of my friends lost his phone. We tried using Snapchat’s location feature, but it wasn’t helpful, and he was devastated as he hadn’t seen his phone in two hours. Thankfully, one of the ski shops had it—apparently, a kind tourist had found and handed it in. That night, we made burgers for dinner, went to the supermarket again, and played card games before going to bed.

On the last day, we headed down to Queenstown to ride the luge carts, which are like go-karts that race downhill. Before that, we stopped at a famous local McDonald's for a bite. I couldn’t finish my Big Mac, so I took it to-go. Feeling all excited, I was carrying the Big Mac and fooling around when I tripped and broke my front tooth. At that moment, my mind went blank, and I had this terrible vision of living out the rest of my life with a goofy smile and no chance of finding love, which really brought my mood down. During the luge ride, I was the only one who crashed my cart into a wall and got thrown out, which made me feel even more clumsy and sad. But then we went bungee jumping, and it was so thrilling that I completely forgot about everything. I was the first to jump, and although I was a bit scared at first, once I was strapped into the harness, I got excited and just went for it. It felt like flying through the sky, and it was the best feeling ever. On the bus ride back, I slept, and before I knew it, we were back at school.

It was hands down the most fun I’ve had during my time in New Zealand.

ハーバード大学の創立者ジョン・ハーバード像

こんにちは、2年生の贄田 耀です。今年の夏休み、「海外英語研修」の科目として、私はアメリカのマサチューセッツ州ボストンのEF語学学校（EF Education First）へ留学に行ってきました。アメリカでは日本とのギャップに何度も驚かされたので、このジャーナルにてその一部を紹介したいと思います。

　最初にアメリカに到着した時の印象は、「広大」でした。建物も自然も街並みも目に入る何もかもが新鮮かつダイナミックで、ただ街道を歩いているだけでも心が躍りました。ボストンはアメリカにおけるもっとも古い町の一つなので、近代的な建物と歴史のある建造物が混ざり合った不思議でありながら美しい街並みを楽しめました。
　日常生活の中にもギャップはいくつも潜んでいました。バスや電車などの公共交通機関は絶対時間通りには来ないし、チップのシステムを知らないままだったので思い返せば失礼なこともしてしまいました。そんな中で私が最も驚いたギャップが、日本人とそれ以外の人種との積極性の違いです。もちろん、現地のアメリカ人はよく話し、よく質問をし、よく議論します。しかし、私のクラスメイトの大半だったスペイン人やフランス人も、アメリカ人と同じように振舞っていました。彼らの国の文化なのかはわかりませんが、彼らは公の場で自分の意見を発信することにためらいが一切ないように見えました。それに比べると、日本人は少し内気すぎる気がします。先生方は非常に親切で、生徒の話もよく聞いてくれるし、自分の意見を言うのが楽しいと感じる授業でした。

　今回の留学はアメリカの文化を学ぶとても良い機会でした。日本とのギャップに困ることもありましたが、それ以上に素晴らしい経験と思い出を与えてくれました。

贄田 耀

 Hello, I’m Yoh Nieda, a 2nd year student. As part of Overseas English Program, I went to Boston, Massachusetts., in the US, this summer vacation to study English and American Culture at EF Education. I saw a lot of gaps between Japan and the US that surprised me many times, so I would like to introduce some of them in this journal article. 

 When I first arrived in America, my first impression was "huge". Buildings, nature, and cityscapes were dynamic, so I had fun while I was just walking down the street. Boston is one of the oldest cities in the US, so modern buildings and historical structures are mixed into one cityscape. It was mysterious but beautiful.

 I saw other gaps in my daily life. Public transportation was late almost every time. I was surprised by the tipping system. However, the gap that surprised me the most was the willingness to speak up between Japanese students and students from other countries. Of course, Americans talk a lot, ask a lot of questions, and discuss a lot, but not the Japanese. Most of my classmates were French or Spanish, and they had no hesitation in speaking their minds. They always talked to teachers as if they were friends. In comparison, the Japanese students seemed a little shy. By the way, the teachers were very nice, they always listened to the students so it was easy to share our opinions in class. It was easy and pleasant to share my opinions.

 This trip was a good opportunity to learn about American culture. Sometimes, I was worried because of the gaps between Japan and the US, but this trip provided totally wonderful experiences and memories.

Yoh Nieda

　こんにちは、2年生の高野 健太郎です。
　1年生の後学期、ブランドン・ウォルファース先生と木原 均先生が担当している基礎数学B（*１）の授業でデータを30個集める宿題が出ました。私のチームメイトが歩数のデータを集めていました。その後、自分の歩数にも関心を持つようになり、また日本人の平均歩数を調べて、自分の普段の歩数が少ないと思うようになりました。

（*１）1年生が履修する基礎数学の授業では、統計や確率で用いられる様々な基礎・基本を学びます。そして授業の後半では、これまでに学んだ統計や確率の概念や手法を自分が興味のあるデータに実際に応用する活動を行います。この活動を通して、学生はデータの収集、分析、評価、そして最終発表の一連の手順を体験し、それぞれの場面で必要となる知識や技能を習得する事が期待されています。

 Hello, I’m Kentaro Takano, a 2nd year student.
 When I was a 1st year student I was in Brandon Wohlfarth sensei and Hitoshi Kihara sensei Fundamental Mathematics B class (*1). For this class, my teammate and I had to collect 30 pieces of data about the number of daily steps we took. After checking this data, I became interested in the number of daily steps I took. We researched the average number of steps Japanese people take every day, and I found my average number of steps was lower than the Japanese average.

(*1) In Basic Mathematics B, students learn various basics and fundamentals used in statistics and probability. In the second half of the class, students apply the statistical and probabilistic concepts and methods they’ve learned to data of their own interest. Through this activity, students experience the entire process of data collection, analysis, evaluation, and presentation, with the aim of acquiring the knowledge and skills needed at each stage.

　そこで、私は「歩数稼ぎ」を始めました。放課後や夜のラーニングセッションの後に、キャンパス内をむやみやたらに歩くようになりました。例えば、近くの郵便局行くときも、わざと遠回りして帰ったり、金沢市内に行ったときは、横断歩道ではなく、歩道橋を使ったりしました。1年生の2月頃には、1日の歩数が最低10,000歩、多い日は、20,000歩を超す日もありました。3月は春休みで実家に帰り、時間があったので、1日の最低歩数が15,000歩になりました。（実は、家の廊下をひたすら歩いていた日もあります。でも、景色があまりにも変わらなさすぎて面白くないので、お勧めしません。）

 After my teammate and I finished the assignment, I started walking more often. I started walking around the campus after school and after learning session at night. When I went to the post office, I took the long route and when I went to Kanazawa, I used the pedestrian bridge and not the pedestrian crossing. In February, I walked at least 10,000 steps per day and sometimes I walked over 20,000 steps. During March and spring vacation, I went back to my hometown and walked at least 15,000 steps a day. One day, I did all my steps in the hallway of my house. I don’t recommend this because the view didn’t change.

イアン先生とランニング

　2年生になると、驚くべき変化がありました。体重が4月1日には、79.9㎏あったのに、5月1日には、74.9㎏まで減ったのです。4月にはキャンパスの敷地内の雪がとけて、安全に走れるようになったからだと思います。以前からスポーツはしないけど、ときどき走ることはしていました。走ることは、ルールや時間に縛られないし、ストレス発散になります。走るときは、キャンパスの周りを5周(約3.4㎞) 走っていました。時々、イアン・スティーブンソン先生が一緒に走ってくれたので、英語の練習にもなりました。履けなくなったズボンが履けるようになったり、夜、よく眠れるようになりました。朝昼夜3食食べて、夜に10時間以上寝る日も多くなりました。

 After I returned from spring vacation and became a second-year student, there was a remarkable change. On April 1st, my weight was 79.9kg, but on May 1st, my weight was down to 74.9kg. I think the reason why my weight decreased 5kg in only a month is that after the snow melted, I could go running. I didn't play sports before, but I sometimes went running. Running has no rules, no time constraints, and releases stress. When I go running, I run around the campus 5 times (about 3.4km). Ian Stevenson sensei sometimes runs with me, so I can run and practice English.  I can now wear pants that I couldn't wear before, and I sleep better at night. I eat three meals a day, and the days that I can sleep more than 10 hours at night have increased.

　私の記録したデータをご紹介します。図1は体重の変化のグラフです。縦軸は体重で、横軸は日付です。図を見て分かるように今年の1月は私の体重が86㎏だったのに対し、8月には66㎏になっています。なんとマイナス20㎏。せっかくデータをこれだけ集めたので、1日ごとの消費エネルギー量 (kcal)と体重の変化の相関関係を調べました。図2は縦軸は消費エネルギー量 (kcal)を体重 (kg)で割ったもので、横軸は1日ごとの体重の変化です。消費エネルギー量 (kcal)は体重 (kg)×METS数×運動時間 (h)×1. 05で求められます。このことから消費エネルギー量は体重 (kg)が減ると消費エネルギー量は減ることがわかります。なので、体重補正をしています。そして、相関係数を求めたら、0. 225と弱い正の相関があらわれました。消費エネルギー量 (kcal)が多いほど体重が増えていることになり・・・。よくわからないですね。本当は負の相関関係がみられると期待していました。よく歩いたからといって、体重が減るわけではないのかもしれません。相関関係を調べる方法を教えてくださった伊藤 周先生には、摂取カロリーを調べて入れてみたらと助言されました。

 Now I will introduce my data. Figure 1 shows the changes in weight over 2024. The vertical axis is weight, and the horizontal axis is time by date. As you can see from the figure, while my weight was 86kg this January, my weight was 66kg this August, a reduction of 20kg. I collected this data and then I searched for correlation between Energy consumption per day (kcal) and variations in weight. In Figure 2, the vertical axis is Energy consumption (kcal) divided by body weight (kg), and the horizontal axis is daily weight change. Energy consumption (kcal) can be solved by using body weight (kg) x number of Metabolic Equivalent of Task or METS x exercise time (h) x 1.05. I know that weight or Energy consumption (kcal) decreases from the last calculation. So as my weight changed, I recalculated my Energy consumption in order to reflect daily changes. I searched for correlation between Energy consumption and weight change. I could see a weak positive correlation of 0.225. The more energy (kcal) I consume, the more weight I gain, but I am not sure. I expected to see a negative correlation. If I walk or run, I might not lose weight. Meguru Ito sensei, who told me how to use correlations, advised me to look up my calorie intake and include it as well.

　歩くのは自己満足なので続けます。記録を取ることは、モチベーションにもなるし、2年生の後学期に受講する「データサイエンス基礎」のネタになるかもしれません。ただ、私はもうこれ以上体重を減らしたいとは思っていません。

 I will continue walking and running for my own self-satisfaction. I will continue to record my data as a form of self-motivation. I might use this data in the 2nd year Fundamentals of Data Science class. However, I don’t think I want to lose any more weight.

高野 健太郎
Kentaro Takano

自転車仲間の太田くんと！

　こんにちは、2年生の中村 栄太です。2024年4月6日（土）、鳥越の桜並木と天狗橋の桜を自転車で見に行きました。去年も自転車に乗っていましたが、実際に自転車に乗るのは、およそ4か月ぶりでした。白山麓では冬になると雪が降り、道路が滑りやすくなるため、冬季は自転車での走行を避けていました。今回のライドは、春休み明けに学校に戻ってから初めてのライドでした。私は3月31日の夕方に学校に戻りましたが、地元では桜を見ることができませんでした。31日の朝に地元の桜並木に行きましたが、ほとんど桜が咲いておらず、今年はもう見られないのかと思っていました。今回、白山麓で桜を見たときの天気は良く、風も心地よかったです。帰りに手取峡谷に寄って帰りました。前日は雨が降っていなかったため、水量はそこまで多くありませんでしたが、一つの滝から虹が見えました。
　今回は全体で約40㎞のライドでした。桜を見に行ってよかったと思いました。最高の一日でした。

中村 栄太

桜と僕たちの自転車

  Hello, I'm Eita Nakamura, a 2^nd year student. On Saturday, April 6^th 2024, I rode my bicycle to see the cherry blossoms along the roadside in Torigoe and by Tengu Bridge. Although I rode my bike last year, it had been about four months since I last rode it. In HAKUSANROKU (Foothills of Mt. Hakusan), it snows during winter, making the roads slippery, so I tend to avoid biking during that season. This ride was my first since returning to school from spring break. I went back to school on the evening of March 31st. But couldn't see any cherry blossoms in my hometown. When I went to the local cherry blossom avenue that morning, hardly any had bloomed, and I thought maybe I wouldn't get to see them this year. However, the weather was great when I saw the cherry blossoms in HAKUSANROKU, and the breeze was pleasant. On the way back, I passed by Tedori Gorge. Since it didn't rain the day before, the water level wasn't very high, but I could see a rainbow from one of the waterfalls.
 This ride totaled about 40 kilometers. I was glad I went to see the cherry blossoms and it was an amazing day!

Eita Nakamura