Cocona Mase

Which ELC program(s) did you attend?

I attended the Intensive English (ELPI) and Summer language and Culture programs.

What made your ELC program special?

My classmates made it special because they came from different countries and had diverse backgrounds, cultures, and values. That’s why I enjoyed talking and taking classes with them. Through our conversations, I learned new and interesting things, not only about English but also about their experiences and hometowns. They were also very friendly and highly motivated to study English, so I was always inspired by them and proud of them.

What is the most memorable thing that happened to you as an ELC student?

The most memorable thing that happened to me as an ELC student was winning a music bingo game. After school, we had activities like music bingo, going downtown and more. I won the music bingo and got a UVic hoodie as a prize, which was really fun and memorable for me.

Do you have any favourite memories of Canadian culture?

My favourite memory of Canadian culture is eating diverse food. Because of Canada’s multiculturalism, there were tons of international restaurants in Victoria. I had Mexican, Greek and Vietnamese food for the first time in my life. These cuisines were very delicious and authentic, so I was surprised by how multicultural it is.

How did learning with other students from other cultures change how you see the world?

Before I met students from different countries, I didn’t know much about their cultures and countries. However, meeting them made me interested in learning about different cultures, languages and countries. They have different ways of communicating and thinking, which impressed me with their beauty and made me realize how important it is to understand each other’s cultures. Through these interactions, I became eager to travel around the world and learn about different cultures.

Did studying English with us open any new opportunities for you? What are you doing now?

Through my experience in the program, I learned many things and everyone I met gave me a lot of confidence. Thanks to the people and experiences, I can try anything without hesitation. Now, I am working to become a supervisor at my workplace, improve my English skills by taking conversation lessons and talk to international people in Japan. I also aspire to be a flight attendant which is my dream job. I want to use this experience to continue taking on new challenges and hope to reunite with the people I met in Victoria, having grown even more.