【Study Abroad Story】My Second Time at 3D and a Serious Journey with English | A University Student’s 3-Month Growth

Introduction

Hello from the 3D ACADEMY staff!

This time, we’re featuring Anne, a university student majoring in European Studies who previously experienced a short-term study abroad in Germany.

Through her second stay at 3D ACADEMY, Anne spent time seriously committing herself to English.

Her goal: to improve her TOEIC score and build strong English skills that will support her future job search.

Choosing Cebu for its excellent cost-performance environment, Anne devoted herself to her studies. In this article, we share her honest experiences and reflections from her time abroad.

Chapter 1: A Life-Changing Moment in Germany That Shifted My Mindset About English

Anne’s desire to speak English fluently began with a short-term study abroad program in Germany during her first year of university.

Excited to experience life overseas, she quickly encountered the frustrating reality of not being able to express herself well in English.

“During lunch breaks, I saw students from all over the world chatting effortlessly in English. I was shocked. I just sat there listening, unable to join the conversation.”

Faced with the language barrier, she realized for the first time that English wasn’t just a school subject—it was a tool to connect with the world.

After returning to Japan, her desire to improve grew stronger day by day. She began studying on her own, attending conversation classes, and taking every opportunity to practice.

“At first, I just wanted to talk more deeply with my international friends. But as I kept learning, I started to feel like ‘If I master English, my world will expand so much more.’”

With this mindset, she first studied abroad at 3D ACADEMY in her second year of university. This story is a reflection on her second stay, where she dove even deeper into her English journey.

Chapter 2: Why I Chose 3D ACADEMY Again – A Return Fueled by Trust and Tangible Growth

With so many study abroad options in the Philippines, Anne had a clear reason for choosing 3D ACADEMY again for her second English study trip.

“My first stay at 3D was amazing. The teachers were so friendly and easy to talk to, and the lesson quality was really high. Plus, the dorm Wi-Fi was fast and stress-free—that really mattered!”

Another key reason was the monthly outreach program, where students volunteer and interact with local children.

“Using English to connect with people outside the classroom gives you a kind of value that textbooks can’t. I still remember the time I spent with kids at the orphanage last time—it left a big impression on me, and I knew I wanted to join again.”

Anne also felt a strong sense of progress after her previous stay.

“After I returned, one of my international friends told me my pronunciation had improved a lot. That made me really happy. I also noticed I was getting asked to repeat myself less often.”

These small yet powerful moments convinced her that 3D was the right place to continue learning.

Of course, cost was another factor. Since she was self-funding her studies, affordability was crucial—and 3D offered great value.

“Even on a limited budget, I could take proper classes and live comfortably. Honestly, it’s rare to find a school that makes you want to come back.”

Chapter 3: Aiming for a 600 TOEIC Score – Building Practical Skills for the Job Market

Anne set a clear goal for her second study abroad experience at 3D ACADEMY: achieving a TOEIC score of 600. With job hunting on the horizon, she began to recognize how important English proficiency is in the eyes of employers.

“I started thinking, ‘How can I prove I’m good at English?’ And TOEIC seemed like the clearest answer. A lot of companies require at least 600, so that became my first target.”

Her curriculum focused heavily on TOEIC preparation through one-on-one lessons, covering grammar, vocabulary, listening, and reading in a balanced way. Weekly practice tests and review sessions became the foundation of her study plan.

“Doing mock exams really helps identify my weak points, and I can focus on improving those the next week. My teacher also gives specific feedback on where I can do better—it’s super efficient.”

Anne also made a conscious effort to incorporate output-based learning into her routine.

“TOEIC mainly tests reading and listening, but I believe speaking is just as important to truly use English. That’s why I also take a speaking class every day.”

By consistently combining input like grammar and listening with speaking and writing practice, Anne steadily works toward her score goals while developing her real-world English skills.

Chapter 4: Life in Cebu & Dorm Meals – A Comfortable Environment That Supports Learning

Studying in Cebu offers more than just affordable English lessons—it also provides a comfortable daily life, and 3D ACADEMY stands out for its livability. For Anne, this ease of living allowed her to fully focus on her studies.

Familiar flavors that suit Japanese tastes

“The food here tastes like Japanese home cooking—it’s honestly delicious. I didn’t expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised!”

The dorm provides three meals a day, with a rotating menu that includes Japanese, Western, Korean, and Filipino dishes. Since Japanese staff regularly check the quality and taste, students feel comfortable even during long-term stays.

Convenient access to everything you need

“It’s great that we can easily go out with friends. There are malls and cafés nearby, which are perfect for relaxing after classes.”

3D ACADEMY is located in the heart of Cebu City, with popular malls like IT Park and Ayala Mall just 10–15 minutes away by taxi. It’s easy to enjoy the local lifestyle and make memories with classmates.

But don’t forget the temptations

That convenience can also come with distractions.

“3D’s rules are pretty relaxed, so it’s important to have the discipline to stay focused.”

Anne strikes a healthy balance—enjoying the occasional outing while sticking to her study schedule.

“What I like about 3D is that you can really enjoy studying, relaxing, and socializing, all in balance.”

Chapter 5: Connections with Teachers and Friends – How People Deepened Her Learning

At a language school, the curriculum and lesson content are certainly important—but for Anne, what stood out the most was “the connections with people.”

A sense of comfort from friendly teachers

“The teachers at 3D are so friendly, I truly enjoyed every class. I was especially happy to reconnect with one of my favorite teachers from my previous stay.”

Anne emphasizes how valuable it was to feel safe making mistakes. Because she had a trusting relationship with her teachers, she felt free to ask questions—even small ones—and to actively practice speaking.

“Even when correcting my pronunciation, the teachers were never harsh. They explained things kindly, which helped me stay motivated and not lose confidence.”

Making English-speaking friends from around the world

“I still keep in touch via social media with friends I made during my last stay, and we chat in English. This time, I’ve made even more international friends!”

With students from countries like Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia, 3D ACADEMY offers a diverse, English-speaking environment that creates natural opportunities for practice beyond the classroom.

Whether in the cafeteria, dorms, or weekend activities, Anne found herself surrounded by moments to use English. She said the experience transformed the school from just a “place to study” into a “place to live in English.”

Learning new perspectives from international friends

“Even though we all had the same goal—to learn English—our ways of thinking were so different depending on our backgrounds. That was fascinating.”

Some classmates were bold and vocal during debates, while others took a more reflective, listening-oriented approach. Anne found these differences eye-opening.

“I realized how studying abroad lets you go beyond your own ‘normal’ and experience so many different values. That’s the real charm of learning in a multicultural setting.”

Chapter 6: Looking Ahead – Using English as a Tool for Her Career

Anne began this study abroad program with a clear goal: to achieve a TOEIC score of 600.

“Many companies ask for TOEIC scores during job applications. I realized that being able to speak English isn’t enough—you need to prove it with numbers.”

Why 600 is a key benchmark

Many companies use 600 as a baseline TOEIC score in the hiring process. For Anne, this became the “first barrier” she wanted to overcome.

“To me, it’s the first checkpoint toward pursuing my dreams through English. If I can pass this milestone, I’ll have more career options and the confidence to take on new challenges.”

With 3D ACADEMY’s one-on-one TOEIC-focused classes, Anne was able to tailor her studies to her needs. Through ongoing consultation with her teachers, she identified weaknesses and tackled them one by one.

Turning study abroad into a job-hunting advantage

“Of course, improving my English skills is important, but I also feel like I’ve gained the ability to adapt to any environment—through life in Cebu, volunteering, and connecting with others.”

She knows that during future job interviews, questions about her overseas experiences will likely come up—and she’s ready.

“I don’t want to just say, ‘I studied English abroad.’ I want to say, ‘Here’s what I did with English.’”

Study abroad isn’t the end—it’s the beginning

Looking ahead, Anne wants to go beyond test scores and develop the ability to communicate naturally in English.

“I want to turn English into a practical skill, so I can eventually work abroad. I’ll keep studying to make that dream a reality.”

Her words reflect the confidence and drive that her time at 3D has nurtured.

✏️ Epilogue | “A Place You’ll Want to Come Back To”

This was Anne’s second time studying at 3D ACADEMY.
And throughout our conversation, one thing was clear: she genuinely loves this school.

“The teachers are so friendly—they greet you with a smile every day.”
“It’s easy to make friends quickly.”
“It’s not just about studying English. I also enjoy volunteering and connecting with people from around the world.”

To Anne, 3D ACADEMY is more than just a place to learn English—it’s a place where she can truly be herself.

Now, she’s moving forward with a clear goal in mind: achieving a high TOEIC score.
Her determination, positivity, and excitement for the future were written all over her smile.

Message from the Staff | To Anne

Dear Anne,
Thank you so much for coming back to study at 3D ACADEMY!

Compared to your first stay, we could see you were even more relaxed and confident this time. You took your classes and self-study seriously, while also fully enjoying the outreach program and making new friends—it was truly a well-balanced and enriching experience.

We have no doubt that you’ll achieve your goal of reaching a TOEIC score of 600.
And beyond that, we believe your dreams will only continue to grow.

Whenever you feel like coming back to 3D, you’ll always be warmly welcomed.
All of us—teachers and staff alike—are looking forward to seeing you again with a big smile!

Prefer to read in Japanese?
Check out Anne’s story in Japanese here:
【留学体験記】二度目の3D、そして“本気の英語”｜大学生が語る、成長の3ヶ月