Yui Kitajima (Fukuoka Women's High School), a third-year student Faculty of International Studies of Culture, Department of International Studies of Culture, studied abroad at the Michigan State University, English Language Center, a partner school of the faculty, in Michigan, USA.
Michigan State University is one of the top 100 universities in the U.S. and leads the U.S. in various fields. It is especially well-known for its English education, and accepts students and working adults from all over the world who want to study English intensively.
We interviewed Kitajima about his studies abroad!
■ Overview of Study Abroad
Period: Mid-August 2024 to mid-December 2024 (4 months)
Study Destination: Michigan State University English Center (Michigan State University, English Language Center)
Accommodation: Dormitory
Study Abroad Program: Individual study abroad at a partner school of Faculty of International Studies of Culture *
*This is a short-term, intensive language study abroad program in which you study at the center during the local semester (autumn semester: 15 weeks), and some of your local tuition fees will be reduced under this program.
■ About learning on-site
The program included taking Reading/Writing, Content, Grammar, and Speaking/Listening classes, and some classes involved presentations and group work, and all classes had quizzes.
■ Learning method
Before you leave: Study to improve your vocabulary
While studying abroad: Always prepare and review, and tackle assignments every day
■Looking back on my study abroad experience
When I first started studying abroad, my listening skills couldn't keep up with the speed at which native speakers spoke, and there were many times when I couldn't understand what they were saying. I realized this was not good, so I started to talk to many people, which helped me get my ears used to English and helped me overcome this barrier.
Everyone I met there was very friendly, and some of them were international students who were interested in Japan. It was a valuable experience to be able to make friends with them and naturally improve my language skills through daily interactions. Through studying abroad, I was able to learn deeply about cultural differences, English ability, and values. I am sure that this experience will be useful in my future job search and in life. I also want to continue studying English.
Kitajima is second from the left in the front row.
[Department of International Studies of Culture]
