Zack’s 6-Week Study Abroad Experience in Cebu

“A Dream of Working in International Relations Began Here” — Zack’s 6-Week Study Abroad Experience in Cebu

Zack, a university freshman with a big dream of working in international relations, took a bold step in the summer of his first year—he flew to Cebu, Philippines, to improve his English skills. Although his university already offers classes entirely in English taught by native speakers, Zack felt a strong desire to enhance his communication skills even further.

However, the path to studying abroad wasn’t easy. He faced opposition from his parents, had to save up the money himself, and had only six weeks to make the most of his time. Despite these challenges, Zack not only improved his spoken English but also gained a clearer vision for his future and a deeper sense of what he was capable of achieving.

In this article, we follow Zack’s journey at 3D ACADEMY—how this short yet impactful experience helped him grow linguistically and personally. His story is sure to inspire anyone considering studying abroad.

Chapter 1: More Than Just English — The Real Reason Zack Chose to Study Abroad

Zack is currently studying at an international liberal arts university where all courses are conducted in English. The classes are small, and most of the instructors are native English speakers, providing a rich learning environment.

Originally, Zack had aimed to attend a prestigious university in Tokyo and spent his high school days preparing for entrance exams. But after receiving a rejection letter, he faced a choice: spend another year studying for exams or move forward and make the most of the opportunities he already had. He chose the latter and enrolled in his current university.

Looking back now, Zack says that decision was the right one.

“If I had gone to a university in Tokyo, I might’ve ended up living a pretty typical student life. But the environment I’m in now suits me much better.”

Shortly after starting university, Zack began to think seriously about how he could make the most of his English-learning environment.

He realized that classroom study alone wasn’t enough—he needed practical, real-world English skills that would connect directly to his future. That’s when a turning point came, in the form of advice from his senior classmates.

Chapter 2: “The Summer of Your First Year Is Crucial” — Advice from Respected Seniors

What ultimately led Zack to study abroad was the influence of senior students he met at university. When he consulted them about his future and the possibility of going abroad, nearly all of them gave him the same piece of advice:

“If you really want to improve your English, go abroad during the summer of your freshman year.”

These seniors had all studied English in Cebu, Philippines, and came back with significantly improved language skills. They were highly engaged in university classes and able to hold their own in discussions with international students—something Zack deeply admired.

“It wasn’t a matter of ‘I’m just a freshman, maybe later.’ It was more like, ‘Because I’m a freshman, now is the time to go.’ That mindset changed everything for me.”

One line left a particularly strong impression on him: “The best time to study abroad is when you feel like you truly want to.”
The idea is that when your motivation is high, the learning will be more relevant and impactful. Seeing his seniors grow through study abroad made Zack’s resolve even stronger.

But turning that determination into action wasn’t easy. Two major obstacles stood in his way: money and his parents’ opposition.

Chapter 3: Overcoming Financial and Parental Obstacles with Determination

Once Zack had made up his mind to study abroad, he was immediately confronted by two harsh realities: the cost of the trip and the lack of support from his family.

Even though studying in the Philippines is more affordable compared to Western countries, the total expenses—including flights, tuition, and accommodation—still added up to a significant amount. His family told him they couldn’t afford to cover the costs and, even worse, strongly opposed the idea, worrying it might be unsafe.

Still, Zack didn’t give up.

He took on part-time jobs and began saving money bit by bit. He also reached out to people with study abroad experience, gathering as much information as he could. Most importantly, he had countless, earnest conversations with his parents.

“At first, they wouldn’t listen at all. But I wanted this so badly that I decided to buy the plane ticket with my own money.”

That bold move—proof of his determination—finally shifted his parents’ perspective.

“If he’s that serious about it, we have to support him.”

Although they were completely against it at first, as Zack’s departure date approached, their attitude gradually softened. They helped him pack, offered safety tips, and eventually became a strong emotional support for his journey.

Chapter 4: Finding 3D ACADEMY — The Perfect Balance of Quality and Affordability

As Zack began seriously narrowing down his study abroad options, two criteria stood out as most important to him: cost performance and the quality of instruction.

From his trusted seniors and experienced returnees, he had repeatedly heard that Cebu, Philippines, offers a practical English-speaking environment with plenty of effective one-on-one lessons. Naturally, Cebu became his top choice for studying abroad.

Still, there are many language schools in Cebu. Among them, one school came highly recommended: 3D ACADEMY.

“I asked someone knowledgeable about studying abroad, and they said, ‘If you’re looking for both quality and affordability, 3D is a great choice.’ That stuck with me.”

Compared to other schools, the tuition at 3D ACADEMY was exceptionally reasonable. On top of that, they offered a 5 Man-to-Man (5MTM) course, which includes five one-on-one classes per day—exactly what Zack was looking for.

As someone already used to group discussions in his university classes, Zack felt strongly that this time he wanted intensive, individualized instruction. In fact, he deliberately avoided group classes.

“In group classes, the pace has to match everyone else, and it often feels too slow for me. This time, I wanted to focus on speaking as much as possible through one-on-one sessions.”

His study abroad period was just six weeks—not very long, admittedly. But precisely because of that, Zack prioritized creating a high-density learning environment where he could maximize every minute.

Chapter 5: Strengthening English Through One-on-One Lessons — Teachers Who Became Lifelong Mentors

Upon arriving in Cebu, Philippines, Zack’s intensive English program at 3D ACADEMY finally began. He had enrolled in the 5MTM course, which offered five one-on-one lessons per day—creating a fully immersive, English-only environment from morning to evening.

The classes were well-balanced, helping Zack improve his English across all core skills:

• Grammar (using the Japanese study materials he brought with him)

• Pronunciation correction (focusing on mouth shape, intonation, and articulation)

• Reading (with guidance on rhythm, emphasis, and expression)

• Writing (checking structure, logic, and grammatical accuracy)

• Role-playing (especially mock interviews and practical conversations)

“One teacher even used my Japanese grammar book for class. Despite not using any Japanese, the way she explained everything made it easy to understand.”

Two instructors left a particularly strong impression on him: Teacher Ishi and Teacher Riza.

A Word from Teacher Ishi That Stuck with Him

Zack described himself as someone with many interests and a tendency to feel rushed to accomplish everything at once. During one lesson, Teacher Ishi offered him a simple but powerful piece of advice:

“It’s okay to take your time. Go at your own pace.”

Zack says this message stayed with him more than any grammar point.
It reminded him that personal growth doesn’t need to be rushed—and sometimes, emotional support is just as valuable as language instruction. That’s one of the unique benefits of one-on-one learning: teachers become mentors, not just instructors.

Practical English That Sticks — Thanks to Teacher Riza

With Teacher Riza, Zack had the chance to practice real-life scenarios through mock interviews. When he struggled to express himself, she always offered clear, constructive feedback.

“She would say things like, ‘It would sound more natural this way,’ or ‘If you sit like this and speak like that, you’ll leave a better impression.’ It really boosted my confidence.”

Through these sessions, Zack gained more than just vocabulary or grammar—he learned how to express himself effectively in English, and how to navigate real-world situations with poise.

Chapter 6: Learning by Using — How Zack Truly Felt His English Improve

Even within a short six-week stay, Zack experienced real and measurable growth in his English skills. The biggest change?

“I’m no longer afraid to speak English. I can follow everyday conversations and express my thoughts clearly.”

Behind this improvement was a simple but highly effective learning method that Zack consistently practiced throughout his stay.

Look It Up, Use It Right Away

Zack’s approach was straightforward:
If he heard a word or phrase he didn’t know, he looked it up immediately—and used it that same day.

For example, if a useful expression came up in class or conversation, he would jot it down, research its meaning in the evening, and then try using it during the next day’s lesson. Over time, this cycle helped new language stick naturally.

“When you look something up yourself, you remember it better. And when you actually use it, you get a feel for how it works.”

This kind of “instant output” learning was especially effective in a one-on-one setting. He could ask teachers about anything unclear and immediately test what he had learned in conversation, speeding up both understanding and retention.

Growth Beyond Language Skills

The benefits of Zack’s study abroad experience went beyond just improved English.

“My whole attitude toward class changed. I started to really enjoy learning in English—not just learning English.”

For Zack, English shifted from being something to memorize for exams into a tool for expanding his world. That shift in mindset might have been the greatest achievement of all.

Chapter 7: Next Stop—Canada and Denmark. Expanding Horizons and Continuing the Dream

Through his experience in the Philippines, Zack gained not only English proficiency but also confidence. But his journey doesn’t end there.

Currently, he’s planning to take a year off during his third year of university to study abroad in two different countries:

• First 6 months: Studying English and living in Canada

• Next 6 months: Attending a unique school in Denmark focused on the question “What does it mean to live?”

“My speaking skills improved a lot in the Philippines, so now I want to challenge myself in more immersive environments. I’m especially drawn to the school in Denmark—it’s not just about education, but about thinking deeply about life. That really resonates with me.”

Finding His Core by Engaging with the World

While in Cebu, Zack didn’t limit himself to interacting with Japanese students. He made a conscious effort to connect with people from various backgrounds—Costa Ricans, Filipinos, Koreans, and more. Through those interactions, he came to appreciate the importance of having the courage to speak up and a mindset of openness.

“Once you get that first word out, a whole new world opens up. I truly felt that.”

Expanding your world begins with taking that first step. For Zack, English was the tool, and studying abroad was the catalyst that allowed him to move forward.

Turning a Dream into Reality

Zack’s ultimate goal is to work in international relations, connecting people and countries on a global scale.
His time in the Philippines became a critical first step toward that vision.

“I want to learn about more cultures, be exposed to different values, and keep deepening my own thinking. I believe that experience will not only shape my future career—but my life as a whole.”

Chapter 8: The Power to Chase Your Dreams—You Can Build It Yourself

In just six weeks, Zack gained far more than he ever expected from his study abroad experience.
Yes, his English skills improved—but so did his understanding of other cultures, his awareness of his own potential, and most importantly, his realization that taking action can change your future.

“If there’s something you want to do, you need to work for it and make it happen yourself. That’s the biggest lesson I learned during this study abroad.”

Throughout his time at 3D ACADEMY, Zack made a conscious effort to actively use the English expressions he learned. Whenever he came across a phrase that interested him, he would look it up right away and try using it in class the very next day.
This simple habit not only improved his English but also cultivated his ability to take initiative in his own learning.

Another major takeaway was something less tangible but even more valuable: confidence.

“When I take the first step and speak up, new perspectives open up. I’m really glad I pushed myself to act.”

To Anyone Thinking About Studying Abroad

If you’re reading this and wondering, “Can I really do it?”—remember Zack’s story.

Even without enough money. Even without full support. Even with opposition from his family.

He researched, prepared, persuaded, and eventually took the leap on his own terms.

The key isn’t perfect preparation—it’s your desire to go and your willingness to follow that desire with action.

Zack’s story is a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one brave step to change your life.

「国際関係の夢、ここから始まった」Zackさんのセブ留学6週間