From Zero to Confident: Yuho’s 1.5-Month English Journey in Cebu

Introduction｜Why I Chose Cebu Despite My Struggles with English

Hi! I’m Chloe, an intern manager at 3D ACADEMY.
Today, I’d like to share the inspiring story of Yuho, who left her job at a travel agency in Japan to embark on a language study journey in Cebu.

Although Yuho had always struggled with English, she held onto a strong desire to speak it confidently one day.
With that dream in mind—and despite fears like “Maybe this isn’t for me”—she took a leap of faith and experienced her very first study abroad adventure.

In this interview, she opens up about her life at 3D ACADEMY, what she learned, and how the experience helped her grow—both in language and in life.

Profile｜From Travel Agency to Language School in Cebu

Before coming to Cebu, Yuho worked at a travel agency in Japan. As part of her job, she handled international travel arrangements and often interacted with foreign tourists. However, despite her role in the travel industry, she rarely had opportunities to speak English herself and often felt frustrated by her limited language skills.

“Whenever foreign customers visited, I couldn’t assist them myself and had to rely on English-speaking colleagues. I felt frustrated and kept thinking, If only I could speak English…”

Yuho had also traveled extensively in her personal life, visiting various countries across Asia and Europe. Still, she frequently found herself unable to communicate effectively with locals, which reinforced her sense of needing to learn English.

“While traveling, I mostly relied on gestures to get by at hotels and restaurants. I often had to ask friends to translate, and I felt uneasy whenever I was alone.”

These accumulated experiences made her realize she couldn’t keep putting it off, and she began seriously considering studying abroad.

That said, studying abroad was a completely unknown world for Yuho. Having never studied abroad before, she recalls feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty and doubt.

“At first, I wondered if it was too late to study abroad. Quitting my job was also a tough decision. None of my friends had studied overseas, so it was hard to find reliable information, and it took me a long time to make up my mind.”

It took more than six months from the moment she first considered studying abroad to the time she actually departed. In the end, she chose to trust her feelings.

“I was filled with worry, but the desire to speak English outweighed my fears. I didn’t want to look back with regret, thinking I should’ve gone.”

With that mindset, Yuho quit her job and embarked on her very first language study experience. She chose Cebu in the Philippines as the destination for this new challenge, and specifically picked 3D ACADEMY for its strong cost performance and reassuring Japanese management.

“I was unsure whether I could really do it, but I believed in my desire to speak English and took a step forward toward Cebu.”

What Sparked It All｜The Frustration of Not Being Able to Communicate

Yuho’s strong desire to learn English again stemmed from both her professional life and her personal travels.

While working at the travel agency, she often found herself unable to assist foreign customers directly, something that weighed heavily on her.

“Every time I had to pass customers to a coworker, I thought, If only I could speak English, I could do my job with more confidence.”

During her travels abroad, she also struggled to communicate with locals, which brought the language barrier into sharp focus.

“I relied on friends who could speak English or used body language to get by. People were friendly, but I knew the trips would be so much more fulfilling if I could communicate with them myself.”

All of these moments reinforced her awareness of the importance of English. Yuho started seriously considering studying abroad around October 2023.

Still, taking that step wasn’t easy.

“Can I really do this? Is it safe? Which school should I choose? I had so many concerns because I had no experience.”

She couldn’t make the decision right away. For about half a year, she continued gathering information while dealing with her fears.

A few months before her departure, her mindset finally shifted. Her desire to try, even if she failed, became stronger than her hesitation.

“I wasn’t perfectly prepared, but I decided to go anyway. I felt that trying and failing would still be better than doing nothing and regretting it.”

For Yuho, studying abroad had always been a dream. Taking this first step was both a major life decision and a powerful commitment to her personal growth.

Why She Chose Cebu and 3D ACADEMY｜Prioritizing an Environment That Fits Her Personality

Out of all the possible destinations, Yuho chose Cebu based on one important criterion: finding a learning environment that suited her personality.

“I’m not very comfortable speaking up in large groups, so I was looking for a place where I could study in small classes or one-on-one settings.”

One of the strengths of studying English in the Philippines is the focus on one-on-one lessons. Yuho was especially drawn to the idea of practicing conversation at her own pace, without worrying about others around her.

“In group lessons, you have to wait for your turn to speak. But with one-on-one lessons, I didn’t have to worry about that at all.”

After researching and comparing multiple schools through counseling, Yuho ultimately chose 3D ACADEMY. Her decision was based on three key factors:

1. Affordable and Cost-Effective

“The overall cost was reasonable, and the number of lessons included made it feel like a great value. Compared to studying in Western countries, the cost was much more manageable.”

2. Japanese-Managed Support System

“Since this was my first time studying abroad, having someone I could talk to in Japanese if anything went wrong gave me peace of mind.”

3D ACADEMY has Japanese staff on-site, making it easy for students to get help and support when needed.

3. School Culture and Student Reviews

“As I did more research, I found that the school had a relaxed atmosphere where I could learn at my own pace. That really appealed to me. I felt it was a good fit for my personality.”

She also found blogs and social media posts from past students reassuring and relatable, which gave her a sense of confidence in her choice.

“In the end, I told myself, You won’t know unless you try! Looking back, I’m really glad I made that decision.”

For Yuho, choosing Cebu and 3D ACADEMY was the first step toward building a study environment that felt comfortable and authentic.

Class Style and Personal Growth｜Enjoying the Process at Her Own Pace

Yuho enrolled in the ESL Course (General English), which included a well-balanced daily schedule of four one-on-one classes and three group classes.

“At first, I thought I’d just take one-on-one classes, but I wanted to get used to interacting with other students too, so I decided to include group classes.”

One-on-One Classes: A Safe Space to Learn at Her Own Pace

The one-on-one classes followed textbook-based lessons focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and speaking—but often included casual conversation as well.

“Sometimes we’d end up chatting for the whole class, but I actually loved that. It felt practical and fun. It helped me get used to speaking English in a natural way.”

She appreciated that the homework wasn’t overwhelming, which allowed her to review at her own pace and still enjoy her personal time.

Group Classes: A Chance to Learn Different Cultures and Values

In the group classes, Yuho studied with students from other countries like Taiwan. She especially enjoyed a class called “English Demo,” a debate-style lesson.

“We were divided into ‘yes’ and ‘no’ teams to debate topics. It was so interesting to see how opinions differed by country. It wasn’t just English—I was learning about different cultures too.”

Although she was initially shy and unsure about participating in group discussions, she found the experience unexpectedly fun and stimulating.

“Listening to others’ opinions helped me practice expressing my own thoughts in English. I’m really glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.”

Not Starting from Zero, But Still Filled with Doubt

Yuho had no previous study-abroad experience, and her last real exposure to English was during middle and high school.

“I always struggled with grammar and vocabulary. To be honest, I don’t remember much beyond high school English. Speaking was my weakest point.”

Still, by spending 6 to 7 hours a day in an English-only environment, she was amazed by how quickly she adapted.

“There’s no way I could have experienced this in Japan. I’m so glad I came here.”

Progress in English｜Higher TOEIC Score & Remarkable Listening Improvement

After just a month and a half of studying abroad, Yuho had already begun to feel noticeable progress in her English skills.

“My TOEIC score went up by over 100 points! I honestly didn’t expect to see results this quickly.”

Even though she wasn’t taking specific TOEIC prep classes, simply being immersed in English every day naturally led to better test performance.

The biggest improvement she noticed was in her listening ability.

“I used to watch movies and couldn’t understand a word, but now I can catch some of what they’re saying. It’s amazing how much just being exposed to English every day helps.”

As for speaking, she sometimes felt frustrated by her limited vocabulary.

“There were so many times when I knew what I wanted to say, but I just couldn’t find the words… But going through that process helped me build up more natural expressions.”

Yuho appreciated how her teachers corrected mistakes in a gentle and supportive way.

“There was always an encouraging atmosphere—like, ‘It’s okay to make mistakes, just try speaking.’ So I didn’t feel scared to mess up.”

For Yuho, growth in English wasn’t about becoming fluent overnight. It was about gaining the courage to express herself and share her thoughts in English.

Life Outside of Class｜Balancing Study and Fun

Yuho made the most of her free time, enjoying a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle during her stay in Cebu.

Weekdays: Relaxing With Massages and Reinforcing Lessons Through Review

“After classes, I’d go to a café to review or get a massage. I studied for at least 1–2 hours a day.”

Massages in the Philippines are much more affordable than in Japan, making them a favorite activity among students. They also provided a much-needed break after a full day of English immersion.

Weekends: Island Hopping, Shopping, and Nature Exploration

“I always went out on the weekends. The beach, shopping, activities—there was so much to do that I never got bored.”

When the weather was good, Yuho joined island hopping tours, snorkeling around the nearby islands, or went shopping at the malls to find souvenirs. Her days were full of both learning and adventure.

Cebu’s unique natural environment and fun local activities helped her stay motivated—even during a long-term stay.

Volunteer Work and School Trips

3D ACADEMY also offers Outreach Programs at the end of each month—volunteer activities with local children—and school-organized trips for cultural exchange and relaxation.

“During the outreach activities, spending time with the children and seeing their smiles was heartwarming. It was a great way to connect with the local culture and people.”

By focusing not only on study, but also making time for fun, relaxation, and cultural exchange, Yuho was able to enjoy a well-rounded and rewarding experience in Cebu.

International Friendships and Dorm Life｜A Safe, Comfortable Environment Filled with Warm Connections

For Yuho, her study abroad experience wasn’t just about learning English—it was also deeply shaped by the people she met and the connections she made.

Connecting With International Students Was a Source of Growth and Inspiration

While 3D ACADEMY has a relatively high number of Japanese students, it also welcomes learners from Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and other Asian countries.

“I went out and had meals with Taiwanese students. I quickly became friends with people from other countries too—it was really stimulating.”

One of the most memorable experiences for Yuho was the group class activity called English Demo—a discussion-style class where students debate in Yes and No groups.

“The way people think really differs depending on their country. Sometimes it was surprising, but it gave me the chance to feel diversity firsthand.”

It was a truly “study abroad–only” kind of experience—linking language learning with cross-cultural understanding.

Comfortable Dorm Life and a Wide Variety of Meals

The dormitory at 3D ACADEMY provided Yuho with a highly comfortable living environment.

“Laundry and cleaning were done on designated days, and the room was very clean. I was able to live comfortably without any issues.”

She also appreciated the food options.

“They didn’t just serve Filipino food—there were Japanese and Korean meals too, so I never got bored. And it was great that we got three meals a day, even on weekends.”

Feeling secure and comfortable in her daily life made it easier for Yuho to focus on studying. For her, 3D ACADEMY offered an ideal environment where she could learn with peace of mind.

Friendly Teachers and Fun Events Made Learning Enjoyable

Yuho also pointed out that one of the school’s biggest strengths was the personality of the teachers and the warm atmosphere on campus.

“All the teachers are cheerful and unique, and the students naturally become friends. There were also school trips and movie nights, so the vibe was always fun.”

For her, 3D ACADEMY wasn’t just a place to study English—it was a space to connect with others and enjoy every moment.

After Studying in Cebu｜A Broader Future and the Next Step

Yuho’s study abroad experience in Cebu wasn’t just about improving her English—it became a turning point that expanded her future possibilities.

What’s Next? Considering a Working Holiday in Canada

“I haven’t made a final decision yet, but I’m torn between going on a working holiday or returning to Japan to work.”

Yuho isn’t treating her time abroad as just a learning experience—she’s seriously thinking about how to shape her future career and lifestyle.

“If I go on a working holiday, I’d love to go to Canada to study American English. I’m also interested in jobs where I can talk with people from different countries.”

Overcoming Her Pre-Departure Doubts｜“I’m So Glad I Came”

“Before coming here, I kept hesitating. But now, I can honestly say—coming to Cebu was the right choice.”

Though Yuho started off with little confidence in her English, she saw her TOEIC score increase by over 100 points and now feels comfortable engaging in daily conversation.

“At first I didn’t understand anything, and it was scary. But after spending seven hours a day immersed in English, I started to absorb it naturally.”

A Message for Those Considering Studying Abroad

“I hesitated for a long time, too. But I’d say—just take that first step.”

Yuho believes that turning your study abroad into a truly meaningful experience comes down to preparation and clear goals.

“You don’t need perfect preparation. Just reviewing middle and high school English can give you a lot of reassurance. Also, thinking about why you want to study abroad helps you make the most of your time here.”

She closed the interview with this heartfelt message:

“Studying in Cebu wasn’t just about learning English—it was a journey of self-discovery. If you’re unsure whether to go or not, I encourage you to take that leap.”

▶︎ 留学経験ゼロからの挑戦！Yuhoさんが語る、マンツーマン授業と成長の日々｜セブ島リアル体験記