“Even One Week Can Change Your Life”

Rachelle’s Real Experience of a Short-Term Stay at 3D ACADEMY

Introduction

Do you think a study abroad experience only makes sense if it lasts for a long time?
It’s true that developing strong language skills requires time.
However, even just one week in a foreign country—immersed in a new environment and exposed to English—can leave a powerful and lasting impact.

This is the story of Rachelle, a student from Japan who decided to use one precious week of her summer vacation to join a short-term English program at 3D ACADEMY in Cebu.

From the classes and her interactions with teachers, to making friends and exploring the city—every moment was fresh, exciting, and meaningful for her.

“I gained confidence even in just a week,” she says.
“It made me want to come back again.”
Her words show us that, with the right mindset and effort, even a short stay can bring tremendous value.

Through this story, we hope to inspire those who wonder, “Is it worth doing just a short program?” to take that first step forward.

Chapter 1: Who is Rachelle?

Rachelle is a calm and kind-hearted young woman, always wearing a gentle smile.
She came to Cebu from Japan, choosing to spend a limited time—just one week—taking on the challenge of studying abroad.
Her motivation was simple yet sincere: “I just want to be able to speak a little English.”
That open-minded attitude and willingness to step into the unknown showed great courage and determination.

Though she seemed a bit nervous on her first day, that anxiety gradually melted away once classes began.
The supportive teachers, the bright and welcoming atmosphere at the school, and above all, her strong desire to speak English helped her overcome the language barrier.

She wasn’t particularly confident in English, but that’s exactly what gave her study abroad experience so much meaning.
Rachelle is someone who took action on her thoughts:
“I want to try—even just for a short time.”
That quiet yet determined willpower could be seen in her expressions and how she carried herself throughout her stay.

Chapter 2: Why Rachelle Chose Cebu

When it came to choosing a destination to study English, Rachelle chose Cebu, Philippines.
While many people often think of Western countries like the U.S., Canada, or Australia when they hear “study abroad,” she intentionally opted for Cebu in Asia.
And her reasons were both practical and compelling.

“The airfare and tuition are much cheaper than in Western countries, and there are many schools that accept short-term students.”

She also paid close attention to the quality of one-on-one lessons.
Cebu is known as one of the best places to rapidly improve speaking skills in a short time.
Even students who aren’t confident in their English can find a supportive, tailored environment—one of the key advantages of studying in Cebu.

Filipino teachers are also known for their clear pronunciation and approachable communication style, which makes them ideal for beginners.
Rachelle, who had felt unsatisfied with English classes in Japanese schools, was likely seeking this kind of “practical English” learning environment.

“If I can get a concentrated learning experience in a short time, I believe it’s still meaningful.”

Precisely because she only had one week, Rachelle carefully considered her options.
And in the end, her choice was spot on.
Cebu became not just a place where she could focus on learning English, but also a safe and comfortable home away from home.

Chapter 3: Why She Chose 3D ACADEMY

There are many language schools in Cebu.
So why did Rachelle choose 3D ACADEMY?

Her decision was based on careful consultation with a study abroad agent and her own clear goals.

“When I spoke with the agent, they told me that 3D ACADEMY had a strong reputation for quality education.
Since I only had one week, I said I wanted to focus on speaking, and they recommended 3D as the perfect fit.”

Indeed, 3D ACADEMY offers a curriculum with a strong emphasis on speaking skills and provides plenty of one-on-one lessons.
The school also accommodates short-term students with flexible scheduling, allowing classes to start immediately after arrival.

For someone studying abroad for the first time and wanting to make the most of a limited timeframe, this system matched Rachelle’s needs perfectly.

Another standout feature of 3D ACADEMY is its people.
The friendliness of the staff and teachers, and their warm support, created a welcoming environment even for first-timers abroad.

“Of course, the clean facilities and good curriculum were great—but to me, people matter the most.
Everyone at 3D was so kind, I genuinely felt like I wanted to come back again.”

The school is also conveniently located, with supermarkets, cafes, and shopping malls nearby.
She said she could live without stress in terms of daily necessities.

“It was easy to explain the location to taxi drivers, which made getting around less stressful.”

Thanks to this perfect match between her needs and the school’s offerings, Rachelle was able to start a fulfilling short-term study abroad experience right from day one.

Chapter 4: What One-on-One Lessons Taught Her

For Rachelle, one-on-one lessons turned out to be the most eye-opening part of her study abroad experience.
Even in just one week, those personalized classes left a lasting impact.

“The teachers really listened carefully to what I had to say.
When I made grammar mistakes, they gently corrected me, so I didn’t feel scared to speak.”

The common fear of “What if I say something wrong?”
—that anxiety was lifted thanks to the supportive environment of one-on-one learning.

During lessons, Rachelle was able to take notes, look up words in her electronic dictionary, and think at her own pace without feeling rushed.
She recalls feeling “calm and focused during conversations” because of this atmosphere.

“In Japan, I always felt nervous about speaking English. But here, I finally felt like, ‘It’s okay to try speaking.’”

This kind of space is only possible because the teachers at 3D ACADEMY truly understand each student’s level and pace, and always support them with care.

Even in just a few days, Rachelle began to develop the desire to “express what I want to say in English.”
That process—thinking on her own and searching for words—was a meaningful step in her personal growth.

Chapter 5: Connections and Inspiration from Group Classes

Although Rachelle only stayed for a week, her experience in group classes left a deep impression on her.
Unlike one-on-one lessons, group classes allowed her to enjoy the fun of learning English and the connections with others.

“In the group classes, I made lots of new friends.
Hearing how others spoke English and expressed their ideas really broadened my perspective.”

Rachelle participated in three types of group classes:

• Com Eng Practice (Practical Daily English)

• Business English (English for Business Situations)

• Native Communication (Speaking with Native Teachers)

Although these classes were assigned by the school as part of a flexible short-term program, each had unique instructors and offered exciting learning experiences.

The most memorable for her was her Com Eng Practice class with Teacher Ellen.

“Teacher Ellen’s energetic English was so inspiring.
Talking with her made me feel like learning English was actually fun!”

In the Business English class, she went beyond just learning the language—she also gained insight into how people think and communicate in professional settings.

“I felt like my knowledge and way of thinking really expanded.”

Even in a short amount of time, being placed in the right learning environment and experiencing different teaching styles helped change her mindset about English.

For Rachelle, this experience transformed the idea of English from “a subject to study for exams” to something more enjoyable and practical.

Chapter 6: Feeling the Change in Just One Week

“It was only a week, but I felt more accomplished than I expected.”

That’s how Rachelle described her experience.
Of course, no one becomes fluent in a foreign language in seven days.
But her time at 3D ACADEMY clearly made an impact.

Her biggest takeaway?
She gained the confidence to speak English.

“On the first day, I was really nervous.
But after a few tries, I started thinking, ‘It’s okay if I make mistakes.’
The teachers were so kind and encouraging, I naturally began to speak more.”

Letting go of the fear of imperfection allowed her to take that first step forward.
It was a major confidence boost.

In group classes, she also discovered something new:

“I realized that people could actually understand my English!
At first, I was scared that no one would understand me.
But when I tried, people listened patiently and kindly. That made me feel safe and more willing to talk.”

Because the experience lasted only a week, she was able to focus fully on speaking.
That short but intensive period lowered the mental hurdle of speaking English and helped her gain real confidence.

Chapter 7: Comfort in Meals and Daily Life

Another point Rachelle emphasized was how comfortable her life at 3D ACADEMY was.

Let’s start with the food.

“The taste was really gentle—perfect for Japanese people.
I enjoyed every meal, and the occasional fruit was a nice touch!”

Meals at 3D ACADEMY are prepared with students from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan in mind, ensuring flavors that are familiar and easy to enjoy.
Even during a short stay, consistent and satisfying meals are key to a comfortable study abroad experience.

She also spoke highly of the facilities and the hospitality of the staff.

“I only stayed for a week, so I didn’t use the cleaning or laundry services.
But the whole place was clean, and every staff member was incredibly kind.
I was a little confused at first, but everyone spoke to me warmly, which helped me feel relaxed.”

One feature that stood out was the reliable Wi-Fi connection.

“I could prepare for class and look things up easily.
It was also comforting to stay in touch with my family in Japan.”

In Cebu, infrastructure can be a concern—but at 3D ACADEMY, the stable internet helped her focus on learning and stay connected with loved ones.

As for the school’s location, even during her short stay, she felt its convenience.

“There was a supermarket nearby, so I could easily buy what I needed.
And the location was easy to explain to taxi drivers, which made getting around less stressful.”

For a short-term stay, having an environment that feels comfortable and secure from day one is essential.
And for Rachelle, 3D ACADEMY turned out to be the perfect place—just the right fit for a smooth and fulfilling experience.

Chapter 8: Culture Shocks That Became Valuable Lessons

Even during a short stay, living abroad inevitably brings encounters with different cultures.
During her one-week stay in Cebu, Rachelle also experienced several culture shocks.

1. Bag Deposit System at Supermarkets

“One of the first surprises was that I had to leave my bag at the entrance of the supermarket. I had no idea, so I was really taken aback.”

This is a common security practice in many supermarkets in the Philippines to prevent shoplifting. While it may feel unusual to someone from Japan, it’s a normal procedure locally. Knowing this in advance could have saved her the initial confusion.

2. Not Flushing Toilet Paper

“I was surprised by the way people use toilets here. Not flushing toilet paper is unheard of in Japan, so I was really confused at first.”

Due to water pressure issues in the Philippines, many places require you to dispose of toilet paper in the trash bin, not the toilet. Being aware of this beforehand helps reduce discomfort and misunderstanding.

3. Constant Safety Warnings

“I heard so many warnings like ‘Watch out for pickpockets’ that I was a bit on edge at first. But the people I met were all kind and welcoming.”

While safety concerns are more emphasized in the Philippines than in Japan, most students agree that basic caution is enough to avoid problems.
Rachelle realized that it’s important not to judge a place solely based on reputation or warnings.

These culture shocks, while surprising at first, are part of the authentic experience of living abroad.
Being open and flexible toward these differences is one of the most important lessons a student can learn from studying overseas.

As Rachelle said, “Everything was so new—it was actually really fun.”

Chapter 9: A One-Week Stay That Made Her Want to Come Back

Rachelle’s study abroad experience in Cebu lasted only a week.
But what she gained in that short time wasn’t measured by duration—it was a deep and personal transformation.

Pre-departure Worries

“Would just one week be meaningful?”
“Could I keep up with life in a foreign country?”

She had these concerns at first, but by the end of her stay, all of them had turned into one clear feeling:
“I’m so glad I came.”

More Than Just English Skills

Of course, Rachelle improved her speaking confidence through one-on-one and group classes.
But what she valued most was the courage she gained.

“I’m no longer afraid to speak English. I learned that it’s okay to make mistakes—and that realization helped me move forward.”

Through daily conversations with native speakers, classmates, and teachers, she slowly overcame the psychological barrier of using a foreign language.

A Comfortable Environment with Warm People

“The facilities were clean and comfortable, and the staff was incredibly kind. Even when I was confused, someone was always there to help.”

She also added, “Having stable Wi-Fi really helped,”—a comment that reflects today’s digital reality.
Thanks to this stable, supportive environment, she could focus fully on learning without feeling stressed.

A Message to Those Considering Study Abroad

Rachelle offers a clear message:
“If you’re unsure, even a short trip is worth it. Just give it a try.”

“I only stayed for a week, but it was so fulfilling—I honestly wished I could stay longer.
And I really want to come back again. When I do, I hope to see you all!”

Even one week abroad can bring real transformation.
Rachelle’s story is a heartfelt reminder of that truth.

Prefer to read in Japanese?

Read the original Japanese version of Rachelle’s story here:

「1週間でも人生が変わる」Rachelleさんが語る3D ACADEMY短期留学のリアル