Mizuki Tanaka

Which ELC program(s) did you attend?

I attended Summer Language and Culture and Intensive English (ELPI).

What made your ELC program special? 

What made the ELC program special for me was the supportive and welcoming environment. The teachers always encouraged us to speak up, even when we made mistakes, which helped me gain confidence. My classmates also gave me a lot of energy and made every class fun. I tried to speak English as much as possible with my friends outside of class, and little by little, I felt more comfortable in class. I believe that my supportive host family and my classmates, who studied English together with me and shared many memories, are what made the ELC program so special for me.

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

I have two memorable things from my ELC program. The first one is hiking. I went hiking twice with my classmates. The first time was at Mt. Douglas, and it was my first hiking experience in my life. The weather was very nice, and although it was very windy at the top, the view of Victoria was beautiful. The second hike was at Grouse Mountain in Vancouver. I thought it would be the same level as Mt. Douglas, but it was much harder than I expected. My second memorable thing was giving a speech at the Farewell Dinner. I wanted to express my gratitude, so I decided to give the speech. I was very nervous during the speech, but I was happy that I could share my feelings of thanks. I felt a strong sense of achievement, and it was a moment when I felt my personal growth the most.

What was it like living in Victoria?

Living in Victoria was an amazing experience. The city is beautiful, calm, and close to nature, which made it a very comfortable place to live and study. I loved walking around the harbour, enjoying the ocean views, and feeling how friendly and relaxed the atmosphere was.  It felt safe and welcoming, even as an international student.

Do you have any favourite memories of Canadian culture?

One of my favorite memories of Canadian culture was spending time with my host family. Sharing meals, having daily conversations, and experiencing their kindness helped me understand Canadian culture more deeply. I also appreciated how polite and considerate people were, and how they respected diversity. I also really enjoyed Canadian food culture, such as poutine. I love eating, so trying different foods in Canada was a lot of fun for me.

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

Learning with students from different cultures changed my perspective. In class, we sometimes worked in pairs with students from different countries and talked about our cultures. I really liked this time. I was especially interested in Korean culture, so listening to Korean students talk about their culture and school life was very interesting and educational for me. We also had classmates from Mexico and India. Hearing about their daily lives and cultures, which I normally would not have a chance to learn about, made me want to travel around the world even more.

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

Yes, studying English at ELC definitely opened new opportunities for me. I became more confident communicating in English, which motivated me to challenge myself academically and personally. I also learned the importance of challenging myself and trying new things. Currently, I have started studying to challenge JEMUN (Japan English Model United Nations) for the second time this year. JEMUN is an English-based Model United Nations program in Japan where students discuss global issues and practice communication skills. I participated last year, but my English level was lower than it is now, and I still remember feeling discouraged from the first day. Using the English skills and positive mindset I gained in Victoria, I want to enjoy the program and take part again with confidence.