My Roommate Became My Best Friend: How 3D Gave Me More Than Just English

When I signed up to study English in Cebu, I wasn’t looking for a best friend.
I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for.

Like many people in their late twenties, I was just… tired.
Tired of the routine. Tired of feeling stuck in my comfort zone. Tired of using “I’m not good at English” as an excuse not to try.

I had always been curious about studying abroad, and after watching a few YouTube videos and reading countless blogs, I chose 3D Academy.
It looked friendly, affordable, and not too intimidating. That was all I needed.

When I arrived, I was nervous but excited. I told myself, “It’s only three months. Just study hard, practice English, and go home.”

What I didn’t know was that this experience would give me something far more valuable than English.

It gave me my best friend.

First Day: Two Strangers, One Room

When I opened the door to my dorm room at 3D, a young woman was already unpacking her suitcase. She looked up, smiled shyly, and said, “Annyeonghaseyo…”

I smiled back, bowed slightly, and said, “Hajimemashite…”

She was from South Korea. I was from Japan. Neither of us had strong English skills. Neither of us really knew what to say. So, we both smiled a lot.

That first week was quiet.
We said “good morning,” “good night,” and “I’m going to class” in very simple English. We nodded, laughed awkwardly, and took turns cleaning the room. We ate our meals together in silence, too nervous to speak.

We weren’t unfriendly. We were just… shy.

But slowly, something began to change.

Week 2: From Awkward to Comfortable

One night, she was studying vocabulary on her bed and pointed to the word “confidence.”
She asked, “What this mean?”

I tried to explain with my broken English: “It’s… like… you believe yourself. You strong… inside.”

She smiled and said, “Oh! Yes, I want that.”

From that moment, we began helping each other more. We would check each other’s homework, quiz each other with flashcards, and write new words on sticky notes on the wall.

We began to walk to class together every morning. We sat together during meals. Slowly, our silences turned into small conversations.

“Today, I tired.”

“Your teacher kind?”

“Yes! We talk about… movies.”

We were learning—not just English, but how to be brave in a second language. And we were learning together.

Month 1: Real Connection

By the end of the first month, we weren’t just roommates.
We were becoming friends.

We talked about food, family, funny mistakes in class. She told me she wanted to be a nurse. I told her I wanted to work in travel.

We shared photos from home.
We listened to each other’s favorite music—K-pop and J-pop and old American love songs.

One rainy night, the power went out for an hour.
We sat by the window with our phones as flashlights and talked about our fears.

“I afraid to speak English outside,” she said.

“Me too,” I replied. “But here, I feel safe.”

She nodded.
“Because we same.”

That moment felt simple—but it stayed with me.

Month 2: Late Nights and Shared Dreams

By our second month, we were inseparable.

We would talk late into the night—sometimes in full English, sometimes with gestures and laughter, sometimes in a mix of Korean, Japanese, and Google Translate.

We talked about love, anxiety, family pressure, future plans.
We even talked about things we’d never told anyone before.

She said, “You listen with heart.”
I told her, “You make me brave.”

We helped each other grow.
She corrected my pronunciation with kindness. I helped her understand confusing grammar points.
Together, we celebrated each tiny victory.

When she passed her mock TOEIC speaking test, I screamed louder than she did.
When I had my first full conversation with a teacher without asking, “Can you repeat?”, she hugged me.

Our English wasn’t perfect. But it was ours.

And it was enough.

Month 3: Sisters, Not Just Students

As graduation day approached, we started talking about the future.
She would go back to Seoul. I would return to Tokyo.

One night, she said, “After 3D, I think… my life change.”

I said, “Mine too.”

We cried.

We made a promise:
After graduation, we would meet again. In Korea, in Japan, anywhere. And we would keep practicing English together.

On our last day, we walked to JY Square, ate mango ice, and took a photo outside 3D.
We posted it on Instagram with the caption:

“We came to learn English.
We left with friendship.”

After 3D: Staying Connected

Back home, life got busy again.
But we didn’t lose touch.

Every weekend, we called each other—first in English, sometimes in Japanese or Korean, but mostly in laughter.
We shared job updates, relationship struggles, and family news.

A few months later, I visited Seoul for the first time.
She took me to her favorite café. We ordered in Korean, but talked in English the whole time.

The next year, she visited Japan. My family welcomed her like a daughter.
She gave my mother Korean snacks. My mother gave her matcha cookies.

We’ve now visited each other four times.

We still talk every week.
We still help each other grow.
We’re still learning.

But now, we do it together.

What 3D Really Gave Me

People often ask me, “Did your English improve at 3D?”

I say, “Yes. Very much.”

But then I add:
“More importantly, I learned how to connect.”

I used to be afraid to speak.
Now I speak, even when I make mistakes—because I know connection is more important than perfection.

And I know that real learning doesn’t happen alone.

It happens in friendship. In listening. In trying. In laughing. In forgiving.

It happens when two girls from two countries share one room, one goal, and three unforgettable months.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking of coming to 3D Academy, come with an open heart.
Don’t worry if your English isn’t strong.
Don’t worry if you’re shy.

The most beautiful part of this journey isn’t just grammar or vocabulary.
It’s the people you meet along the way.

My roommate wasn’t just a classmate.
She became the sister I didn’t know I needed.

And every time we talk—even now—I feel grateful for that tiny dorm room in Cebu.

Because inside that room, between laughter and flashcards, between rice bowls and late-night talks, something truly magical happened.

We learned to speak.
We learned to listen.
We learned to be brave.
And we became best friends.