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

Hello, I’m Ruuna Nakazawa, a 3rd-year student. I’ve shared my life in New Zealand through this ICT journal before. After that, I spent fulfilling days with my warm host family, but on 15th March, we left Dunedin and returned to Japan the next day. Today, I would like to share my reflections on my last days in New Zealand and this past year.

In March, the celebrations and procedures required for returning to Japan increased, and I had more opportunities to feel that my stay in New Zealand was coming to an end. At the farewell party held at Otago Polytechnic ten days before our departure, we received completion certificates, presented our memories and life in New Zealand in front of our host families, and enjoyed food together. I felt a bit embarrassed during the presentation, but it was a good opportunity to look back on my life and memories over the past year. Additionally, some of my friends shared funny episodes with their host families, which created a warm and joyful atmosphere. On the way back home, my host father bought me delicious gelato, and that also made me happy to spend time with my host family.

There was also a graduation ceremony for all the graduates of Otago Polytechnic, and we participated in it wearing academic gowns. During the parade, the graduates walked to the hall located in the city center, I felt inspired by the atmosphere of the whole city celebrating the graduates. The ceremony was held at a gorgeous city hall, and Māori traditional dancing was performed. It became one of my most memorable events in New Zealand.

On the day we left Dunedin, my host mother and father came to see me off, even though it was early in the morning. I had expected to say goodbye with a cheerful feeling because I had been a little excited about returning to Japan. However, when I hugged my host parents before getting on the bus, many memories with them came to mind, and a few tears fell unexpectedly. Even after saying goodbye, while on the bus heading to the airport, I reminisced about various memories and shed a few more tears. I think the tears came not only from the sadness of not being able to see them for a while but also from a sense of regret—feeling that I should have shown more appreciation and made my host family happier.

Because I felt that my actions toward achieving my ideal study-abroad experience were not enough, I had thought that my self-evaluation for this year would be low. However, regardless of that, I realized from those tears that living in an environment completely different from Japan had become my “normal,” my everyday life—and that I had grown enough to feel sad about leaving it. I think these changes in what feels normal to me represent how much I’ve grown compared to who I was before going to New Zealand.

Based on these reflections, I now feel that I would like to try studying abroad again someday. In the sense of jumping into a new environment, I will soon begin a new life in Kanazawa. While improving and maintaining my English so that I can go abroad again in the future, I hope to continue growing by learning and experiencing new things.

Ruuna Nakazawa

 

Hello, I’m Kentaro Takano, a 3rd year student. This is the second time to write a journal from New Zealand. My journal topic is about our trip to Christchurch from Wednesday, January 14, to Friday, January 16.

On the first day of the trip, from midday to evening, we went to the Christchurch Gondola and New Brighton Beach. After getting off the gondola, we could see a view that stretched far into the distance. We could also find the direction of New Brighton Beach, which is about one hour away by bus. In addition, on the opposite side, the bay was spread out, and the scenery was beautiful. After that, when we arrived at New Brighton Beach, I said, “Can we see the peak of the gondola that we were on?” We did not know whether we could see it or not.

 

At night, we went to New Regent Street. The street around 21:30 was very beautiful because it was lit up. We really wanted to eat gelato while watching the tram, but we found out that the trams run only until around 18:00, so we decided that we would eat gelato the next day. After walking a little, we found a store that sold waffles, and I ate a waffle with vanilla ice cream. I felt that the waffle and ice cream I ate late at night were more delicious than when I eat them at a normal time.

 

On the second day, we took a shuttle bus from Cathedral Square and went to the International Antarctic Centre and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. At the International Antarctic Centre, we experienced very strong winds with snow and low temperatures like those in Antarctica, and I felt that making a living in Antarctica would be very hard. In addition, we could see penguins as if they were in Antarctica, and the equipment that people use there was displayed. I noticed that all of it was heavy.

 

At Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, which we visited afterwards, we could see many varieties of animals like birds, horses, and cows. My friends fed to the animals, but I was afraid to bring my hand close, so I gave them food by throwing it. Lastly, we could see the kiwi, which is the national bird of New Zealand. It was hard for us to see them because they were in a dark place; however, I felt good because I could see the kiwi.
Afterwards, around 16:30, we went to New Regent Street, but unfortunately, it was raining there. We expected that we could see the tram from the outside seating area with a roof at the store where gelato is sold. However, unfortunately, the tram did not appear until we finished eating gelato.

 

In the evening, we went to Riverside Market and the Bridge of Remembrance, which is near Riverside Market. The market has many stores, and we were quite torn about where to eat as our opinions differed. Finally, we decided to go to a Chinese food restaurant. I felt that even though we can eat Chinese food anytime, the Chinese food we ate there was especially delicious. When paying, we received a coupon from the store that sells ice cream in Riverside Market, so I thought that choosing Chinese food was a good decision. I was still hungry, so I bought a parfait from the ice cream store.

On the morning on the 3rd day of the trip, we rode the tram and went to the Cardboard Cathedral and the Art Centre of Christchurch. During the journey, we passed through Cathedral Square, which we had visited the day before, and we could also see New Regent Street, which we had visited on the 1st day and the 2nd day of the trip. The view from the tram was different from the view when we walked, and it felt very fresh.

At Cardboard Cathedral, the entire building had a sacred atmosphere. The building was built instead of Christchurch Cathedral, which was damaged by an earthquake in 2011, and we learned that the Cardboard Cathedral was built by a Japanese person. It was the first time I had entered a cathedral, and it left a very strong impression on me. I thought that I would like to visit a cathedral in Japan as well.
At the Art Centre of Christchurch, we could see many works of art. When I was looking at the paintings, it was fun to imagine many things. I found a swing that was very colorful, so I wanted to ride on it. However, I gave up riding it because the swing was wet due to the rain.
During the day, we went to a store where pasta was sold. I ordered pasta with a lot of seafood. It was very creamy, and the level of saltiness was very good, and it tasted really good.

 

This Christchurch trip was the best memory I have had since coming to New Zealand. I don’t think this trip could ever have been realized by me alone. I appreciate my parents who let me go on the trip and my friends who went with me.

Kentaro Takano

Hello everyone, and thank you for reading the ICT Journal. My name is Sena Takada, and I am a 3rd year student. Until recently, I used to count how many months it had been since I arrived in New Zealand—but now it feels faster to count how many months are left until I return to Japan.

In this journal, I would like to look back on some of my experiences during my study abroad. I hope this gives those who are considering applying to ICT even a small sense of what everyday life here feels like.

First, Dunedin, where we are currently studying, is a small city. However, it has great access to both the ocean and the hills (or mountains), so you can feel close to nature in your daily life. On a sunny day, you can go for a run on the beach and then enjoy a panoramic view of Dunedin from a scenic lookout. One of the best things about this city is that even without doing anything “touristy,” you can still find rich and beautiful scenery as part of ordinary life.

While living these kinds of days, if you travel just a little farther, you can also encounter the spectacular landscapes that represent the South Island. Around August 2025, I visited Lake Tekapo, one of the major tourist spots on the South Island, with my family who had come from Japan. As soon as we arrived, the area felt wrapped in silence and crystal-clear air. There are several restaurants and food trucks around the lake, so you can enjoy the scenery along with something to eat. We bought fish and chips from a particularly well-reviewed food truck, and it was delicious. The golden fish and chips looked perfect against the lake’s surface, whose colors kept changing from moment to moment. You can see stars from my homestay as well, but the starlit sky at Lake Tekapo—and even the stars seen from home—were both so beautiful that they were beyond comparison. It truly felt like a sky full of stars. (A perfect score ⭐)

As a side note, I use an iPhone 16 Pro to take photos of the stars. From a beginner’s perspective, the image quality is more than enough. Also, depending on the season, it seems that you may be able to see the aurora from Lake Tekapo, so I recommend aiming for that as well.

 

Lake Tekapo Petting Zoo

Next, many people associate New Zealand with sheep, and it didn’t take long after arriving at Dunedin Airport for me to understand why. When you drive around, you can see sheep scattered across the grasslands, and sometimes they even stare back at you. However, even though sheep stand out the most, this country is rich in biodiversity and is home to many different kinds of animals. In most households, dogs are welcomed as family members, cats are often allowed to roam freely, and in some gardens, wild hedgehogs relax as if they actually live there. That’s the kind of place it is.

Sleeping hedgehog in the garden, startled by children

 

By the end of January, once I had gotten used to this lifestyle, I experienced a farm stay in a place called Mosgiel, about a 20-minute drive from Dunedin. A farm stay is a style of travel where you stay on a farm and experience the daily life of the people who live and work there. It was full of “non everyday” experiences that you could never have in Japan. Since I was born and raised in Tokyo, I felt a strong contrast between what I had grown up with and what I was experiencing there.

My mornings began with the view from my bed—sheep, cows, and even an “invading” rabbit in the distance. I will never forget this experience. My happiness level was so high that returning to normal society felt difficult. Across the vast farm, the deep green pasture seemed to carry a concentrated scent of grass and soil. Luckily, the owner let us observe the work they normally do, and we rode a tractor out to where the cows were. I also got to see a sheepdog working up close for the first time, which left a strong impression on me. From the way the dog responded faithfully to the owner’s signals, I could feel the accumulation of daily training.

 

Suu the sheepdog and the cows

 

Suu gathering the sheep

Then, about an hour’s walk from where we stayed—past a steep hillside—there was a dog daycare facility for temporary pet boarding, so I went there out of curiosity to ask about it. It was a spacious property where about fifteen dogs could run around freely. The owner offered temporary care while owners were at work, and they were very friendly. The dogs’ playground felt like an amusement park, and honestly, it felt like a dream if I could come and play there every day. I felt like I became friends with many of the dogs.

I had heard that there is a kind of “hierarchy” in dog society, and I was thrilled to see an alpha leading the group up close. Since I rarely see so many dogs (especially large dogs) gathered together, it was fascinating. It also seemed that they were protecting a fawn that had been separated from its mother, and the little ecosystem inside the enclosure felt like its own miniature world.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

 

Finally, one essential part of studying abroad is the host family. Depending on the family, they may even take you on trips by car. My former host family (I had to change families due to circumstances), who are Fijian, once woke me up at 3:00 a.m. and drove me from Dunedin to Nelson at the very top of the South Island (roughly equivalent to the distance from Kanazawa to Kagoshima in Japan). They were the kind of wild people who would throw pear cores out the car window while yelling, “Compost!!” They were intense, but it is a great memory. I had the chance to visit around ten different homes, and because daily life can be completely different depending on the place and the people, I think it strengthened me mentally.

In this way, I believe one of the best parts of studying abroad is experiencing cultures that you cannot truly taste in Japan. Whether good or bad, I was given the chance to re-examine my own assumptions and fixed ideas. It may be a good idea to find something you can become deeply passionate about while you are still in Japan.

This became quite long, but thank you very much for reading.

Sena Takada

 

 

How, I wonder, would Sei Shōnagon have enjoyed winter if she were alive today?
In this 7th December of the Reiwa era, the snow-filled early mornings feel at once nostalgic and impossibly distant.
Happy New Year. This is Rintaro Kamoshita, a 3rd year student. I returned to Japan last month.

Just as I thought I had finally parted ways with New Zealand’s lethal ultraviolet rays, I now find myself enduring the winters of Shinshu, where body, mind, and thermometer alike freeze solid. Strangely enough, there is a sense of calm in these days.

Before returning home, my family joined me in New Zealand, and together we embarked on a two-week adventure. Leaving Dunedin behind, we set out on a bold journey that explored every corner of the South Island’s natural beauty. In this journal, I would like to share the story of our very first overseas family trip, taken by the three of us. I hope that, through this small glimpse, you can feel the grandeur and magnificence of New Zealand.

Our story begins in Dunedin, the academic city where we 3rd year students live. After arriving in New Zealand, I guided my parents—bewildered by the unfamiliar land—and proudly demonstrated that even a terrible sense of direction can be cured after eight months. At my father’s request, wanting to truly feel the city I had spent those months learning from every day, we decided to stay in Dunedin for a full five nights.

During that time, I showed my parents many places dear to me: St Clair Beach, which I had visited countless times on walks; the card shop where I deepened international friendships through frequent visits, and the Otago Polytechnic campus, which I had completely claimed as my own territory over the past eight months. I also went around Dunedin’s many coffee shops with my father, comparing cup after cup. New Zealand coffee is remarkably smooth, easy to drink, and of an exceptionally high standard. Some classmates of mine only learned to enjoy coffee after coming to New Zealand. If you ever visit, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Once our days in Dunedin came to an end, our next destination was Lake Tekapo. One of New Zealand’s largest glacial lakes, Tekapo is said—according to our driver—to derive from a Māori word containing the meaning “night,” perhaps reflecting the lake’s famously beautiful starry skies. At that point, my sole purpose for the journey was seeing the stars of Tekapo; driving was merely a means of transport. That assumption was completely overturned along the way.

Our driver, a Japanese man, was an incredible storyteller. Of course, the scenery alone was more than enough to amaze us, but his New Zealand stories held my attention from start to finish. His choice of route was also perfect—rather than the standard coastal road, he took us through the mountains. The vastness—no, the overwhelming vastness—of nature stretching endlessly before us made me think, “So the scenery in Mission: Impossible wasn’t an exaggeration after all.” The five-hour journey passed like an arrow in flight.

Upon arriving in Tekapo, the sheer scale and surreal turquoise color of the lake shattered my sense of normalcy, and the first day ended with us doing little more than staring in awe. But the main event of this trip—seeing the real Milky Way—was something I absolutely could not miss. With the weather forecast declaring that the first night would be our only chance, fatigue was dismissed without negotiation. At 2 a.m. the next morning, I forced my eyes open using the vibrations of modern technology.

Even now, I remember the sensation of stepping outside half-asleep and having countless particles of light rush into my vision. I do not think I will ever attempt to describe the beauty of that night sky in words. I want you to see it with your own eyes. I will say only this: in that moment, I thought, “Ah—this is why I was given these eyes.”

After being utterly overwhelmed by the stars, we spent our second and third days in Tekapo at an unhurried pace, savoring life there. Then, as the final great natural landmark of our journey, we visited Mt. Cook (Aoraki). Designated as a national park, it is a place where precious natural wonders gather in abundance. We walked two relatively gentle hiking trails that day.

The weather was heavily overcast, and the summit was hidden behind clouds, which initially disappointed us. However, our driver explained that “Aoraki” is a word related to clouds, and he told us Māori legends, including the story of the cloud god and the earth god being torn apart. Thanks to those stories, what could have been the worst possible weather instead felt deeply mystical.

After this, we were taken to Queenstown, then flew on to Auckland, where we did our final shopping and dining before bringing this long journey to a close.

There are three main things I wanted to convey through this journal.
First, trips like this hold deep significance: for students, they broaden one’s understanding of New Zealand beyond Dunedin; for families, they allow shared experiences and sensations through time spent together in Dunedin and amidst vast natural landscapes. For 1st and 2nd year students, as well as new arrivals planning to study abroad, I especially hope you will consider opportunities like this.
Second, Tekapo Shuttle, who took care of us from Dunedin to Queenstown, was absolutely outstanding. If you go, I strongly recommend using their service. By the way, the biggest surprise of this trip was discovering that the owner of Tekapo Shuttle is also named Rintaro—and even shares the same name origin as me, though written with different kanji. What an incredible near miss!
And finally—seriously—go see the stars at Lake Tekapo.

Before long, our 3rd year will come to an end, and our time at ICT will be more than halfway over. The speed at which life moves continues to astonish me. Living every day at a full sprint is not a bad thing—but perhaps, once in a while, it is good to stop, and lean your whole body into the vastness of nature.

I sincerely wish that this year will be a fruitful one for all of you. Until next time.
Until next time.

Rintaro Kamoshita