Study Abroad Story: From Curling Dreams to English Challenges

How Jovy Found the Power of Learning Through Her Second Time Overseas

Introduction

Hello! We’re the staff at 3D ACADEMY.

Today, we’re excited to share the inspiring story of Jovy, who first experienced international study through a short-term program in Denmark. Now, she has taken her next step by choosing 3D ACADEMY in Cebu to further improve her English skills.

Interestingly, Jovy once aspired to become a professional curler—a unique background that shaped her strong focus and persistence, qualities that now fuel her language learning journey.

Driven by the desire to “speak more fluently” and “live confidently abroad,” Jovy is currently preparing for a working holiday in Canada.

In this article, we’ll walk you through her journey: the doubts she faced before coming, how she studied at 3D, the moments she felt real progress, the surprises of life in Cebu, and her dreams for the future.

Chapter 1｜Second Overseas Challenge

The Desire to “Really Speak English”

Jovy first traveled abroad when she was a second-year high school student. Her destination was Denmark. Those two weeks in a culture completely different from Japan became a life-changing experience.

“It was the first time I truly realized how big the world is. But at the same time, I felt frustrated that I couldn’t express myself in English.”

That frustration sparked something inside her. A small fire that would grow into a powerful motivation:
“Next time, I want to go abroad with the ability to actually speak English.”

Years later, as a university student, she asked herself, “If not now, then when?” The answer was immediate: “Now’s the time.” She started saving money from part-time jobs, secured the time, and began researching her options. That’s when she discovered 3D ACADEMY, a language school in Cebu, Philippines.

“I liked that I could take lots of one-on-one lessons. I’m not great in group settings—I wanted to practice speaking at my own pace.”

The Philippines also appealed to her for practical reasons: it’s relatively close to Japan, has little time difference, and the cost of living is lower—making long-term study more affordable.

“It felt like the perfect environment to fulfill my goal of getting in lots of speaking practice.”

And so, Jovy launched her second overseas challenge—this time in Cebu.

Chapter 2｜Choosing the Right School with Family

How Jovy Found a Place Both She and Her Parents Could Trust

Once Jovy made up her mind to study abroad, her parents naturally had concerns.

“My mom especially kept asking, ‘Is it safe?’ ‘Will the food be okay?’ She was really worried at first.”

To ease those worries, Jovy and her mother attended a study abroad fair in Tokyo, where they met with Japanese staff from 3D ACADEMY. That face-to-face conversation made all the difference.

“The staff explained everything so carefully and showed us photos of the facilities and meals. My mom said, ‘It actually looks nicer than I expected!’”

In fact, meals can be a common concern for students going to the Philippines, but 3D’s food is tailored with the help of Japanese staff to suit Japanese tastes.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect much from the food, but it turned out to be really good! I enjoyed every meal.”

They also received detailed explanations about Cebu’s safety, the school’s location, and the self-study environment—giving Jovy and her family the peace of mind they needed.

“Knowing my parents were okay with it gave me the confidence to move forward.”

Chapter 3｜Her Study Rhythm: One-on-One Lessons + Self-Study Room

Jovy’s day starts early—her one-on-one lessons begin at 8:00 a.m. She sometimes takes up to 6 or 7 classes per day, each lasting 50 minutes.

“Because it’s one-on-one, I can ask questions right away, and more importantly, I’m constantly in a situation where I have to speak—that’s what makes it so effective.”

The content of the lessons is highly flexible, tailored to each student’s goals. For Jovy, her main target was a TOEIC score of 800, so she regularly consulted with her teachers to adjust the weekly curriculum accordingly.

“All of my teachers were incredibly dedicated. They would give me specific feedback, like, ‘This expression sounds more natural.’ It was so helpful.”

Between classes and in the evenings, Jovy would head to the self-study room on campus—her second favorite learning space.

“Each booth is separated, so it’s really easy to focus. It’s quiet, and I can get into the zone—perfect for reviewing grammar or doing listening exercises.”

Jovy also took on a self-imposed challenge: writing a daily journal in English and having it checked by her teacher.

“There’s so much to learn from getting your own sentences corrected. Just struggling with, ‘Is this the right way to say it?’ helps you grow.”

Through this steady cycle—input during lessons, reflection during self-study, and output through journaling and speaking—Jovy steadily built up her English foundation.

Chapter 4｜The Day She Wasn’t Afraid to Speak

Group Lessons Taught Her: “It’s Okay to Make Mistakes”

At first, Jovy was nervous about speaking English—especially in group lessons, where other students seemed to speak so fluently that she felt intimidated and hesitant to speak up.

“I kept thinking, ‘What if I say something weird?’ and then the words just wouldn’t come out.”

But one day, a teacher said something that changed everything:

“You don’t have to be perfect. Just try to speak first.”

That single line gave Jovy permission to let go of her fear. From that point on, she intentionally challenged herself to speak first, even if she wasn’t 100% confident. Gradually, she realized that her English was getting across—and that fueled her motivation.

“Little by little, my fear of speaking faded. It transformed into a desire: ‘I want to say more!’”

She learned that making mistakes is okay, and being understood—even imperfectly—is powerful. Accepting that mindset was the first real step toward becoming a confident English speaker.

Chapter 5｜Daily Self-Study and Learning from Movies

Building Confidence Through Consistent Practice

Outside of class, Jovy was equally serious about her self-study. Two of her core routines were shadowing and reading aloud, which she practiced every single day.

“I made sure to read aloud at least 30 times a day. It felt awkward at first, but I loved how my mouth started getting used to English sounds.”

This repetitive method slowly but surely boosted her speaking ability. It wasn’t flashy or dramatic—but the results were real.

Another key to her study routine was using movies and dramas as learning tools.

“One of my teachers recommended watching shows on Netflix with English subtitles. It really helped me learn natural phrases and intonation—and it was fun too!”

By blurring the line between study and entertainment, Jovy made English a natural part of her daily life. That, she says, was her biggest learning hack.

Chapter 6｜Culture Shock in Cebu

Real Growth Happens Outside the Classroom

Life in Cebu, Philippines, was very different from what Jovy was used to in Japan—and at first, it was a bit of a shock.

“What surprised me most was how scary it was to cross the street! Cars just wouldn’t stop, so I literally couldn’t take a single step at first,” she laughs.

She also recalls being taken aback by the sanitation and infrastructure in some parts of the city. It wasn’t what she expected—but she didn’t give up.

Over time—after a few days or weeks—she gradually adapted, learning how to move around safely and confidently.

“I stopped going out at night and made sure to use taxis when traveling. Once I started being conscious about safety, my anxiety really went down.”

For Jovy, this experience didn’t just build English skills—it also taught her how to live and adapt in a foreign country.

“Thanks to what I went through in Cebu, I feel confident I can handle life in Canada too.”

Chapter 7｜Next Step: A Working Holiday in Canada

“Chasing My Dream—With English by My Side”

After her study abroad at 3D ACADEMY, Jovy has her sights set on a new goal: a working holiday in Canada. In fact, the idea of working overseas had been on her mind long before coming to Cebu.

“After my trip to Denmark in high school, I kept thinking, ‘I want to go abroad again—this time, being able to speak English.’ That dream is finally starting to take shape.”

She chose Canada as her destination for a special reason—it’s one of the world’s top countries for curling, the sport she once pursued professionally.

“Canada has a really rich curling culture. If I get the chance, I’d love to visit a local club and experience it firsthand.”

For Jovy, the working holiday isn’t just about improving her English. It’s also about expanding her life experience and exploring new possibilities.

“I feel like my speaking skills and confidence have really grown at 3D, so I’m ready to take on this next challenge in Canada.”

✏️ Afterword｜Believing in the “New Me” Who Can Speak English

What Jovy Gained Was More Than Just Language Skills

When we first met Jovy, she came across as calm and polite. But as we got to know her, we saw something even deeper—a quiet determination and a strong curiosity.

“Day by day, her steady efforts turned into something powerful—self-confidence. Watching that growth was inspiring.”

At first, Jovy was shy about speaking in group lessons. Now, she’s openly saying, “I want to speak more” and “I want to challenge myself in Canada.”

That transformation will surely give courage to many others who are thinking about studying abroad.

“More than perfect grammar or big vocabulary, what matters most is having the courage to try. Jovy’s story is a beautiful reminder of that.”

Jovy, thank you for your incredible effort during your time at 3D ACADEMY.
We’re all cheering for you as you head to Canada and beyond—stay true to yourself, and keep flying high.
We hope to welcome you back to Cebu someday soon!

日本語版はこちら
Jovyさんの体験談を日本語で読みたい方は、こちらをご覧ください：
留学体験記｜カーリングの夢から英語の挑戦へ｜Jovyさんが語る“2度目の海外”で見つけた学びの力