Hello everyone. My name is Ayane Ito, and I am currently spending a year studying in New Zealand.

It has been about four months since I started my life here, and living in a foreign country has gradually become part of my everyday routine. While Japan is probably entering the hottest time of the year, New Zealand is heading into the middle of winter. Whenever I talk with my friends back home, we always end up realizing how opposite our seasons are. Every time it happens, I am reminded of how far away I am from Japan. At the same time, it makes me realize that no matter how much my daily life changes, I am still very attached to my home country.

In this ICT Journal, I would like to share one of my memorable experiences during my study abroad program: my involvement with OJSA. OJSA, or the Otago Japanese Students' Association, is a student organization at the University of Otago in Dunedin. The association regularly organizes events related to Japanese culture. I joined an OJSA skating event after being invited by a friend. OJSA members include Japanese students, local people, and others who are interested in Japanese culture. Anyone can participate by paying a small fee, so I would definitely recommend it to future ICT students. It provides a great opportunity to speak English, and above all, the events are a lot of fun. If you search for OJSA on Instagram, you should be able to find more information.

Among the events I joined, the most memorable was a viewing event for the soccer match between Japan and Tunisia. By a lucky coincidence, the president of OJSA invited me to help organize the event. Together with my classmates, Kotori and Madoka, I became part of the organizing team. We spent a lot of time discussing ways to attract participants and make the event enjoyable. After promoting it through social media and distributing flyers, we were happy to welcome around 90 people to the event.

My role was to create a presentation and a short video introducing the Japanese national team. On the day of the event, I gave the presentation together with my two classmates and the OJSA president. I had never given a presentation in English in front of such a large audience before, so I was extremely nervous. However, the atmosphere was lively, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. In the end, I was glad that I challenged myself and stepped outside my comfort zone. To make the day even better, Japan won the match by a large margin, allowing the event to end on a high note.

Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have met so many wonderful people during my time in New Zealand. The members of OJSA, my friends, my host family, and even people I happened to meet around town have all helped make my study abroad experience meaningful and enjoyable. Even when I am simply walking through Dunedin, people often greet me or start conversations, which reminds me how wonderful it is to connect with others. Recently, I have also noticed a change in myself. English, which I used to think about constantly, is gradually becoming something more natural. I can communicate more comfortably than before, and that is one of the things I am happiest about.

My study abroad journey is only halfway finished. Living in an unfamiliar place can be challenging, but it has brought me far more exciting discoveries than difficulties. I am looking forward to seeing what experiences await me in the months ahead, although I still have a little bit of anxiety as well.

I hope that my experience will be helpful for those who plan to come to New Zealand in the future.

Greetings from New Zealand,
Ayane Ito

Hello! I’m Rintaro Kamoshita, a fourth-year student at the Kanazawa campus, also known as the “walking speaker.” Recently, I’ve expanded my range of activities all the way to Akihabara, where I performed my signature talk-style comedy routines with the electric town as my backdrop.

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Lately, I’ve been focusing mostly on radio activities, so I’d really appreciate it if you could check those out as well. For more details, please visit our X (formerly Twitter) page via the link below:

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Now, that was quite a long introduction, but today I’d like to introduce an event I recently hosted: the “Returnee Presentations: Otago Polytechnic Study Abroad Program 2025.”

This event was an opportunity for all fourth-year students who had studied abroad in New Zealand for a year to share their experiences. They presented their memories, lessons learned, and advice for future students to parents and first and second-year students living in the dormitory in Hakusanroku Campus. The event was held on Wednesday, May 20, at the Kanazawa campus in a hybrid format, both in person and online.

During the presentations, students covered a wide variety of topics, including delicious food in New Zealand, fun travel destinations, the charm of animals such as sheep, and the beauty of the country’s vast natural landscapes. Among them, my personal favorite presentation was by a friend who introduced a Korean restaurant in New Zealand, which got a big laugh from the audience.

All presentations were delivered in English, showcasing the students’ improved language skills after their time abroad. Many of them had made remarkable progress in pronunciation, and listening to them again, I was genuinely surprised by how much everyone had grown. Some students even seemed to slip into a New Zealand accent during their presentations, which added to the atmosphere and made the event enjoyable from start to finish.

Through this event, we were able to share the journey of our one-year study abroad experience with younger students who will carry the future forward. It was truly a meaningful and rewarding time.

P.S. “Walking speaker”… that’s basically just a Walkman, isn’t it?

Rintaro Kamoshita

Hello! I’m Kaishu Ishiharada, a 3rd-year student. It’s already been over a month since I arrived in New Zealand. During the past month, I’ve experienced so many things that I could never experience in Japan. I want to share as many as possible with you. I hope you enjoy reading!

Driving with My Host Family

My host family is big, including a host father, host mother, host sister, host brother, a dog, and a cat. Everyone is so kind, and every day I feel very lucky to stay with them.

On the morning of my second day here, I went to the beach with my host mother, host brother, and our dog. I’ve never had a pet before, so this was the first time in my life walking a dog. The view from the beach was much more beautiful than I expected, and it already made me feel that coming to New Zealand was worth it. I heard there are other beaches in Dunedin, and people go swimming there in the summer. Although it’s starting to get colder now, I’m already looking forward to summertime!

Camping

Thanks to an invitation from Ikki Hashimoto’s host family, my host family and his went camping together. We tried some unique activities there, like ziplining and rappelling down a cliff using ropes. My host sister and his host sister really got into ziplining, so I went along with them. After that, I enjoyed playing soccer on the grass with my host brother. After dinner, all the kids, including Ikki and me, played hide-and-seek around the campsite. Ikki and I hid together, managed not to be found, and won the game! Maybe our experience playing hide-and-seek back at the Hakusanroku campus helped us win.

Once the host sisters were in bed, Ikki and I looked up at the stars outside. The starry sky was incredibly beautiful. In the night sky of New Zealand, you can see the Southern Cross, which can only be seen from the very southern parts of Japan, like Ishigaki Island.

 

Exploring the City

Dunedin, the city we are staying in, has a population of about 120,000, which is roughly the same as Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture. The downtown area spreads out around a central place called the Octagon. I explore the city every weekend.

The other day, I visited the world’s steepest street “Baldwin Street”, which is located a little outside the city center. Before going, I thought, “It’s probably not that big of a deal,” or “The hill near my house is steeper.” But once I arrived, I realized it truly deserves its title—it was incredibly steep (my apologies!).

Shuntaro, Soma, and I decided to run to the top. As we started running, the tourists around us cheered us on, shouting “Come on!” It really made me feel, “Wow, I’m abroad!” However, since it is the world’s steepest street, my legs gave out halfway up. I want to become fit enough to run all the way to the top before I return to Japan.

I hope you all enjoyed this journal! Look forward to the next one. See you soon!

P.S. I’m talking about more stories that I couldn’t fit into this blog on the radio. It airs every Monday and can be heard in Japan, so please check it out!

Click here for more details:https://x.com/ICTradio_Lounge

Kaishu Ishiharada

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