Erin tells us about “her first study experience in Cebu and how she faced English”

“If I could speak English, maybe my job opportunities would expand.” With that feeling, Erin’s interest in studying abroad began.

As a freelancer, she worked in interior design and restaurant menu development. Sometimes she even served customers herself at the shop. In that setting, she had more and more interactions with foreign customers. She felt frustrated, thinking that if she could communicate better, she could offer even better service.

There was another reason that pushed her: admiration. She used to travel abroad with a good friend, but she always depended on her. Watching how her friend communicated fluently in English with local people, Erin felt: “Someday I want to be able to speak like that too, with that confidence.”

“To be honest, at first I only thought it would be enough to handle a simple everyday conversation. But after arriving in Cebu and starting classes, little by little I naturally began to want to learn English more deeply and to be able to speak with more ease.”

What was at first just a “practical skill” gradually turned, without her even noticing, into a “tool for expanding herself.” That was how the change Erin would go through began.

Erin took an ESL program made up of four 1:1 classes and three group classes. She started classes wondering whether, as a beginner, she could really learn well, but that worry disappeared completely during the first week.

Being so close to the teachers, English “stops being scary”

“Filipino teachers are really good listeners. They know how to pick up on what you want to say, and that creates an atmosphere in class where you feel like continuing to talk.”

In class, you are never pushed into English that is too difficult. The teachers move forward patiently, using examples and situations that are easy to understand even for beginners, so her resistance to English faded naturally.

What struck her most was how close she was with the teachers, so different from Japan. When she had taken one-on-one English classes in Japan, Erin felt a certain distance. In Cebu, on the other hand, the teachers created a relaxed atmosphere, almost like friends, that invited her to speak without tension.

What she learned was “living” English, the kind that doesn’t appear in textbooks

Erin thought she could study grammar and vocabulary just as well in Japan, but when she arrived and studied abroad she discovered many “softer” expressions and natural turns of phrase that did not appear in Japanese textbooks.

“For example, when I learned a softer way to ask for something without using ‘Can you...?’, I surprised myself thinking: ‘So you can say it this way too!’”

Also, among the assignments given each day, the one that helped her most was “writing compositions using idioms.” Seeing that, even with middle-school-level vocabulary and grammar, you can communicate well if you make an effort, made her confidence in English grow little by little.

Erin’s days in Cebu were not only useful for improving her English, but were also a chance to rethink her own values.

The importance of having “your own opinion”

During her extended stay, what she noticed most was how clearly Filipinos express what they feel. What they like, they like; what they don’t, they don’t. That attitude of stating one’s own opinion without holding back was very different from what she experienced in Japan.

“In Japan it is common to gauge the other person’s reaction before speaking, or to adapt to what the group thinks. But in Cebu, the first thing is to value what you yourself feel.”

Through contact with that culture, Erin’s own way of thinking changed too. She understood that what matters is not forcing yourself to be “liked,” but building relationships where you can be honest. It was her teachers’ words that made her realize this.

“They told me: ‘If you are yourself, without pretending, the people who truly care about you will come to you.’ At that moment I felt a great sense of relief.”

Equal relationships, without hierarchies

Another surprise was the equal communication, regardless of each person’s age or position. Those “hierarchies” that people in Japan usually pay so much attention to simply didn’t matter in Cebu.

Since there is no formal language according to age, you could speak completely naturally, and so, even with an age difference, it was easy to become friends right away. In that pleasant atmosphere, Erin found herself, without realizing it, with friends she could talk with about life itself.

“With the friends I made here, we even promised to travel together when I go back to Japan. I think it will be a lifelong relationship.”

The exchange with the classmates she met during her stay was a great source of inspiration for Erin. It went far beyond simply “making friends”: it became a chance to rethink her own way of living.

Learning about different ways of seeing life changed her view of work

Students with truly varied backgrounds come together at 3D ACADEMY. People making a stop on their trip around the world, others preparing to become nurses, others taking on a working holiday... Every time she listened to their stories, the preconceived ideas Erin had about “how one should work” kept falling apart.

“In Japan, the idea of ‘get into a good university, get a good job at a good company and work there until retirement’ still prevails. But at 3D, everyone was living in a way that broke out of that mold, and that struck me deeply.”

There are so many ways of living that they cannot be measured with only your own values. And the moment she understood that “all of them are valid,” she felt her options for work and life suddenly widen.

“Working five days a week” is not the only right way

“In Japan there is a feeling that ‘being a company employee is the right thing,’ but the people I met in Cebu were all living focused on what they truly wanted to do. They were free, but at the same time responsible for themselves, and I found that truly admirable.”

Erin, who currently works as a freelancer too, came to feel more strongly than ever that she can choose her own way of working for herself.

Discovering new values and imagining a new future. Perhaps the most valuable thing Erin gained was not just the English level she reached during her stay, but the encounters that broadened her life options.

Many people who are thinking about studying abroad share the same worry: “Can I really manage without being able to speak English?” Erin was no exception.

“At first I thought: ‘surely everyone around me speaks fluently...’. But when I arrived, I found out it was not like that at all (laughs).”

In fact, many students start from a level where they “aren’t good at English.” Precisely because of that atmosphere, Erin realized right away that there was no reason to feel embarrassed about what she could not yet do.

Peace of mind thanks to teachers and classmates who always support you

What she appreciated most was having teachers and classmates who were always ready to help as soon as any difficulty came up.

“When I asked something, they explained it patiently and without any sign of annoyance. And if I didn’t understand a word during class, I would look it up afterward with my friends... There was an atmosphere of growing together, and that gave me so much peace of mind.”

Even if your vocabulary is limited or your grammar is not perfect, having the will to communicate is enough for your message to get across. By accumulating small successes like that again and again, Erin’s worry about English turned into “a little confidence.”

Even if you don’t feel confident in your English, it’s fine to try

“Giving up on studying abroad just because you can’t speak English would be a real shame. I think this is, rather, the ideal place precisely for those who feel they can’t.”

You don’t need any level of English or communication skills; starting from zero in both is fine too. Erin’s words carry the strength of someone who proved it by truly diving into the experience.

When you think about student life at a language school, it is easy to imagine that “it will be nothing but study, study, study,” or to feel some unease about “what daily life will be like.” However, according to Erin, her daily routine at 3D ACADEMY had a perfect balance between study and rest.

The Japanese food is delicious! Surprised by how healthy the meals are

“To be honest, I didn’t expect much from the food in the Philippines, but the food at 3D pleasantly surprised me; it was much tastier than I had imagined.”

What she liked most was the seasoning of the Japanese food, adapted to the Japanese palate, and the amount of vegetables served at every meal. Erin had heard that vegetables were scarce in Cebu, but at 3D that worry disappeared completely.

Also, every Wednesday is “curry day.” With a variety of styles from all over the world, she never got bored, and it became one of her favorite moments of the week.

“Even the fried food stayed crispy even when it was cold; you could see the care taken down to the smallest details.”

Not just study: there is also room for play and sports, like in your youth

To relax after class, she went to the pool of the seaside hotel that the school has an agreement with. She was so surprised to be able to use those luxury facilities for free that she even asked herself: “Is this really free?”

Also, inside the school there are ping-pong tables and a basketball court, perfect for getting a little exercise and spending time with friends.

“It reminded me of my university club days; I felt as if I were living that youthful stage all over again (laughs).”

Also, several times a week there are activities such as yoga, Zumba or hip-hop dance, which also became Erin’s favorites. Participation is optional, but since everything is done in English, it also helps improve the language while you enjoy yourself.

A prime location, close to both the shopping mall and the market

“After classes, I would go with friends to a big shopping mall, or shopping at a local market. I also really liked being able to experience Filipino culture up close like that.”

3D ACADEMY is located in a very convenient area of Cebu City, close to shops and restaurants. It is truly an ideal environment for those who want to enjoy both sightseeing and studying abroad.

Looking back now that her stay is over, what was the biggest change for Erin? She says it was “no longer being afraid of English.”

“At first I even got nervous talking to the teachers, but now I can think: ‘well, let’s try speaking.’ I understood that what matters is the attitude of trying to communicate, even if it isn’t perfect.”

Being able to speak English without fear of making mistakes, and being able to express her own opinion with confidence: all of that is the result of the intense time Erin spent in Cebu.

Even so, she still wants to “be able to speak better”

However, progress in English never ends. Erin says that even now she sometimes feels frustrated at not being able to express well what she wants to say.

“That’s why I keep studying now, using 3D’s online English classes. I don’t want the level I worked so hard to reach to stall here.”

Working holiday, traveling the world... the next stage opens up

Erin’s dream is, after consolidating her current work even more, to also take the leap and do a working holiday. And in the future, she told us she would like to travel to many countries and make friends all over the world.

“If I can speak English, I can connect with someone in any country. That’s truly wonderful, isn’t it?”

English is not a “goal,” but a “passport to expand the world.” Erin’s eyes are already set on the next stage.

Her first trip abroad, her first experience studying overseas. Erin says that, before leaving, anxiety weighed more than excitement.

“I’m worried I can’t speak English...”, “Can I really go abroad alone?”... Those feelings are nothing special. On the contrary, they are the natural worry anyone would feel.

But as soon as she dared to take the first step, a world much warmer and more stimulating than she had imagined was waiting for her.

“It’s precisely the people who can’t speak English who should come to 3D. The support is very complete, the teachers are very kind and the friends around you help you too. I truly think it’s a place where you can give it a try with complete peace of mind.”

Value for money, location and support: everything in one place, and that gives peace of mind

The reason Erin felt she had made the right choice in 3D ACADEMY lies in the balance between the excellent value for money and the environment.

High-quality classes Delicious food Well-equipped dorm facilities Shopping mall nearby and easy to reach Plenty of fun activities

...with all of that together, she felt that the price was, honestly, incredible.

“Here you can both ‘learn’ and ‘enjoy.’ I really recommend it, both to those just starting with English and to those who have never studied abroad before.”

Studying abroad is “a journey to expand your own world”

To finish, Erin left us this message for those who are considering studying abroad.

“If you have doubts, dare to go at least once. I’m sure you’ll think: ‘I’m so glad I came.’ It’s not just about learning English: it’s also a chance to reconnect with yourself, discover a world you didn’t know, and maybe, just a little, change your life.”