Study Abroad in Cebu Love’s Story: Gaining Confidence and Finding Joy in Speaking English
Hello from the 3D ACADEMY team!
Today, we’d like to introduce Love, a third-year university student who chose to study abroad at 3D ACADEMY in Cebu before her job hunting activities in Japan became too busy.
Love actually had previous experience studying in New Zealand. However, because the classes there were group-based and only held in the mornings, she didn’t feel her speaking skills improved as much as she’d hoped.
That’s why she turned her focus to Cebu, Philippines — a place known for affordable, high-quality English education with an emphasis on one-on-one lessons.
During her time at 3D, she discovered something powerful:
“Speaking English is fun!”
Through daily conversations and personalized lessons, Love not only improved her speaking skills but also gained the confidence to use English actively.
In this story, we’ll share a closer look at Love’s study abroad experience in Cebu — what her days were like, what she learned, and the meaningful connections she made along the way.
Chapter 1｜“I Want to Speak More”
The Frustration She Felt in New Zealand Sparked Her Motivation
Love’s desire to truly improve her English speaking skills began with a short-term study abroad experience in New Zealand during her first year of university.
“It was a two-week program, and the classes were only in the morning. Plus, they were all group lessons. Honestly, it didn’t really give me the chance to practice speaking English.”
During those group lessons, the more outgoing students tended to dominate the conversation, and Love found it difficult to speak up. She often felt frustrated — wanting to speak, knowing the words, but unable to keep a conversation going.
Still, she found joy in learning English in an international environment.
“I remember thinking, ‘If only I could really communicate with people from other countries, it would be so much more fun!’”
That feeling stayed with her, quietly but persistently.
With a clear goal this time — to truly improve her speaking skills — Love made the decision to study abroad in Cebu, Philippines. The promise of one-on-one lessons and ample speaking opportunities, all within a budget-friendly setting, led her to choose 3D ACADEMY.
Chapter 2｜Why She Chose 3D ACADEMY
Drawn by “Trust and Proven Results” – A University Co-op Recommendation
Among the many language schools available, Love chose 3D ACADEMY based on reliable recommendations and its exceptional cost-performance.
“It was actually introduced to me by my university’s co-op. I heard that many students had studied there in the past and that the reviews were really good.”
After reading testimonials and speaking with the co-op staff, she had a strong instinctive feeling that the school would be a good fit for her.
Another key deciding factor was the affordable pricing.
“Compared to other schools, 3D was really budget-friendly. I thought it would leave me with more money for daily life and sightseeing, and it wouldn’t place too much financial burden on my parents either.”
What also stood out to her was that, unlike her previous experience, 3D offered plenty of one-on-one classes — something she now saw as essential.
“This time, I really wanted to improve my speaking skills, so the class style focused on conversation practice sounded ideal.”
With limited time and budget, Love ultimately decided that 3D ACADEMY offered the perfect environment for her to grow.
Chapter 3｜Three Weeks That Built Her Speaking Confidence
Enjoying the Joy of Conversation and the Feeling of Being Understood
The biggest change Love felt during her time at 3D ACADEMY was losing her fear of speaking English.
“At first, I was nervous about making mistakes. But my teachers would gently correct me right away and really listened to what I had to say, so I naturally started speaking more.”
Speaking had been the area she felt most lacking during her previous study abroad in New Zealand.
“Back then, it was all group classes, and I barely got a chance to talk. But at 3D, I had four one-on-one lessons a day — it was an environment where you just had to speak.”
Through daily conversations with teachers, she gradually built up useful vocabulary and expressions, and truly began to enjoy expressing herself in English.
Teachers Who Make You Want to Speak More
For Love, the biggest charm of 3D ACADEMY was the friendliness of the teachers.
“They always praised even the smallest things like ‘Good job!’ and gave me so much confidence. I even found myself opening up about things I normally wouldn’t talk about in Japan!”
The atmosphere, where English was seen not just as a subject but as a tool for communication, kept her motivation high.
This chapter highlights how the curriculum and supportive teachers helped transform Love’s speaking ability and attitude toward English.
Chapter 4｜A Comfortable Dorm Life and Weekends in Cebu
Clean Rooms and Delicious Meals That Support Learning
Love also smiled as she shared how satisfied she was with her dorm life at 3D ACADEMY.
“The housekeepers cleaned our rooms every day, so it was always clean and comfortable. It was so nice to live without any stress.”
She also gave high marks to the meals. The dorm provides three meals a day, and aside from a lack of vegetables, she was very happy with the food, which featured Japanese-style flavors.
“I was a bit worried about the food in Cebu, but 3D’s meals were way better than I expected — I looked forward to every meal!”
Shopping and Sightseeing on the Weekends
Cebu Fun with New Friends
Love made sure to enjoy her time off between studies.
“On weekends, I went to shopping malls with friends or joined school-organized trips.”
One especially memorable trip was to Simala Church.
“I saw it in the school brochure and was curious. It was even more beautiful in person — I’m so glad I went. It was about a two-hour bus ride, but affordable and easy to get to!”
Cebu felt relatively safe, and short outings provided the perfect break from studying.
Expanding Her World Through International Friendships
During her stay, Love made friends from Taiwan, Mongolia, and Indonesia.
“I especially became close with my Taiwanese roommate. Even though she stayed for just one week, we still message and call each other on Facebook!”
At 3D ACADEMY, where students come from all over the world, English becomes a natural tool for communication. This international environment greatly enriched Love’s study abroad experience.
Chapter 5｜Lessons That Turned English Into Fun
Overcoming Her Fear and Discovering the Joy of Speaking
For Love, studying in Cebu this time brought a major shift in how she felt about English.
“During my previous study abroad in New Zealand, it was mostly group classes, and I didn’t improve at speaking at all. I ended up thinking, ‘I’m just not good at speaking.’”
What broke that belief was the one-on-one lessons at 3D ACADEMY.
“Because it’s just you and the teacher, you have no choice but to speak — but in a good way. That pressure actually helped me get used to it quickly.”
In each lesson, the teachers would respond kindly to what she said, correct her mistakes immediately, and then practice the proper expressions together. Repeating this process steadily improved her speaking skills.
Gaining Confidence Through Trust in Her Teachers
“The teachers at 3D are so friendly and easy to talk to. I found myself opening up about things I wouldn’t normally say in Japan — even personal stuff!”
Love says that being in an environment where it was okay to make mistakes gave her real confidence.
With such close relationships, she not only enjoyed her lessons but also had casual chats with her teachers after class. This helped her truly feel that English wasn’t just a “subject,” but a “tool for communication.”
The Joy of Being Understood Boosted Her Motivation
“In the beginning, I could only string words together. But now, when someone laughs or is surprised by what I say, it makes me so happy.”
For Love, feeling the joy of being understood turned learning English from a chore into an exciting experience.
“Speaking English is fun now — and I really want to get better at it.”
Chapter 6｜Goals After Studying Abroad and Career Vision
A Clear Desire to “Work Using English”
For Love, studying abroad wasn’t just about language acquisition — it was a stepping stone toward a larger goal.
“I want to work using English in the future. That’s why I’m going to continue studying after returning to Japan.”
The joy she found in speaking English during her time in Cebu also had a positive influence on her career outlook. Working in a field where her passions and skills overlap — this study abroad experience became her first step toward that goal.
After Returning Home: Online Lessons and TOEIC Preparation
Before her trip, Love admitted she lacked motivation for studying English. But now, she’s determined to keep it part of her daily routine.
“I want to start online English lessons to maintain my speaking skills. I’m also going to study for the TOEIC and aim for a solid score.”
In addition to the practical English skills she gained at 3D, she now wants to prove her ability through certifications as well — a new source of motivation.
Study Abroad Experience as a Strength in Job Hunting
As a third-year university student, Love is entering the job-hunting season soon.
Being able to speak English is, of course, a strong asset — but beyond that, her ability to live, learn, and adapt in a different culture is something many companies value highly.
“I have great memories of weekend activities and connecting with friends from different countries. It really made me feel like I could thrive in any environment.”
Her time in Cebu gave her both a sense of how big the world is, and the confidence that she can find her place in it.
✏️ Final Thoughts｜The Greatest Gift Was Discovering That “English Is Fun”
Three Weeks That Boosted Love’s Confidence and Brought Her Smile to Life
Through her time at 3D ACADEMY, the most important thing Love gained was the realization that speaking English can be fun.
Even when she felt unsure about grammar or word order, she experienced the joy of expressing herself by putting together simple words. Bit by bit, she overcame her fear of making mistakes — and that small change will surely become a source of growing confidence in her future language journey.
One particularly memorable story was about her Taiwanese roommate, with whom she shared just a single week at 3D. Despite the short time together, they still message each other nearly every day. The friendship they built through English will likely remain one of Love’s lifelong treasures.
Message from the Staff｜To Love
Dear Love, thank you so much for choosing 3D ACADEMY — and for sharing your wonderful smile with us!
Even during your short stay, we saw you take on so many challenges. You threw yourself wholeheartedly into your classes, activities, and friendships, and it was truly inspiring to watch.
The fact that you now find English fun, and that you’re able to speak with more confidence — we believe these are achievements that will carry you far in life.
We’re sure you’ll continue with TOEIC preparation and online English lessons after returning to Japan — and we truly hope you’ll pursue your dream of working in a field related to English.
Until the day we meet again in Cebu, all of us at 3D ACADEMY will be cheering you on!
日本語版体験記はこちら
【留学体験記】「話すのが楽しい！」を実感したセブ島留学｜Loveさんが語る、スピーキング力と自信の成長ストーリー
Post Views: 14
