![\"IMG_1159\"](\"\/blogs\/newblogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/IMG_1159-300x225.jpg\")
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Hello! We\u2019re the staff at 3D ACADEMY.<\/p>\n
Today, we\u2019re excited to share the inspiring story of Jovy<\/strong>, who first experienced international study through a short-term program in Denmark. Now, she has taken her next step by choosing 3D ACADEMY in Cebu to further improve her English skills.<\/p>\n Interestingly, Jovy once aspired to become a professional curler<\/strong>\u2014a unique background that shaped her strong focus and persistence, qualities that now fuel her language learning journey.<\/p>\n Driven by the desire to \u201cspeak more fluently\u201d and \u201clive confidently abroad,\u201d Jovy is currently preparing for a working holiday in Canada.<\/p>\n In this article, we\u2019ll walk you through her journey: the doubts she faced before coming, how she studied at 3D, the moments she felt real progress, the surprises of life in Cebu, and her dreams for the future.<\/p>\n Jovy first traveled abroad when she was a second-year high school student. Her destination was Denmark. Those two weeks in a culture completely different from Japan became a life-changing experience.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was the first time I truly realized how big the world is. But at the same time, I felt frustrated that I couldn\u2019t express myself in English.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That frustration sparked something inside her. A small fire that would grow into a powerful motivation: Years later, as a university student, she asked herself, \u201cIf not now, then when?\u201d The answer was immediate: \u201cNow\u2019s the time.\u201d She started saving money from part-time jobs, secured the time, and began researching her options. That\u2019s when she discovered 3D ACADEMY<\/strong>, a language school in Cebu, Philippines.<\/p>\n \u201cI liked that I could take lots of one-on-one lessons. I\u2019m not great in group settings\u2014I wanted to practice speaking at my own pace.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Philippines also appealed to her for practical reasons: it\u2019s relatively close to Japan, has little time difference, and the cost of living is lower\u2014making long-term study more affordable.<\/p>\n \u201cIt felt like the perfect environment to fulfill my goal of getting in lots of speaking practice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n And so, Jovy launched her second overseas challenge<\/strong>\u2014this time in Cebu.<\/p>\n Once Jovy made up her mind to study abroad, her parents naturally had concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mom especially kept asking, \u2018Is it safe?\u2019 \u2018Will the food be okay?\u2019 She was really worried at first.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n To ease those worries, Jovy and her mother attended a study abroad fair in Tokyo<\/strong>, where they met with Japanese staff from 3D ACADEMY. That face-to-face conversation made all the difference.<\/p>\n \u201cThe staff explained everything so carefully and showed us photos of the facilities and meals. My mom said, \u2018It actually looks nicer than I expected!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In fact, meals can be a common concern for students going to the Philippines, but 3D\u2019s food is tailored with the help of Japanese staff to suit Japanese tastes.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, I didn\u2019t expect much from the food, but it turned out to be really good! I enjoyed every meal.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n They also received detailed explanations about Cebu\u2019s safety<\/strong>, the school\u2019s location, and the self-study environment\u2014giving Jovy and her family the peace of mind they needed.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing my parents were okay with it gave me the confidence to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Jovy\u2019s day starts early\u2014her one-on-one lessons begin at 8:00 a.m. She sometimes takes up to 6 or 7 classes per day, each lasting 50 minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s one-on-one, I can ask questions right away, and more importantly, I\u2019m constantly in a situation where I have to speak\u2014that\u2019s what makes it so effective.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The content of the lessons is highly flexible, tailored to each student\u2019s goals. For Jovy, her main target was a TOEIC score of 800<\/strong>, so she regularly consulted with her teachers to adjust the weekly curriculum accordingly.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of my teachers were incredibly dedicated. They would give me specific feedback, like, \u2018This expression sounds more natural.\u2019 It was so helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Between classes and in the evenings, Jovy would head to the self-study room<\/strong> on campus\u2014her second favorite learning space.<\/p>\n \u201cEach booth is separated, so it\u2019s really easy to focus. It\u2019s quiet, and I can get into the zone\u2014perfect for reviewing grammar or doing listening exercises.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Jovy also took on a self-imposed challenge: writing a daily journal in English<\/strong> and having it checked by her teacher.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s so much to learn from getting your own sentences corrected. Just struggling with, \u2018Is this the right way to say it?\u2019 helps you grow.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Through this steady cycle\u2014input during lessons, reflection during self-study, and output through journaling and speaking<\/strong>\u2014Jovy steadily built up her English foundation.<\/p>\n At first, Jovy was nervous about speaking English\u2014especially in group lessons<\/strong>, where other students seemed to speak so fluently that she felt intimidated and hesitant to speak up.<\/p>\n \u201cI kept thinking, \u2018What if I say something weird?\u2019 and then the words just wouldn\u2019t come out.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n But one day, a teacher said something that changed everything:<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be perfect. Just try to speak first.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That single line gave Jovy permission to let go of her fear. From that point on, she intentionally challenged herself to speak first<\/strong>, even if she wasn\u2019t 100% confident. Gradually, she realized that her English was getting across\u2014and that fueled her motivation.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle by little, my fear of speaking faded. It transformed into a desire: \u2018I want to say more!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n She learned that making mistakes is okay<\/strong>, and being understood\u2014even imperfectly\u2014is powerful<\/strong>. Accepting that mindset was the first real step toward becoming a confident English speaker.<\/p>\n Building Confidence Through Consistent Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n Outside of class, Jovy was equally serious about her self-study. Two of her core routines were shadowing and reading aloud<\/strong>, which she practiced every single day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cI made sure to read aloud at least 30 times a day. It felt awkward at first, but I loved how my mouth started getting used to English sounds.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This repetitive method slowly but surely boosted her speaking ability. It wasn\u2019t flashy or dramatic\u2014but the results were real.<\/p>\n Another key to her study routine was using movies and dramas<\/strong> as learning tools.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of my teachers recommended watching shows on Netflix with English subtitles. It really helped me learn natural phrases and intonation\u2014and it was fun too!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n By blurring the line between study and entertainment<\/strong>, Jovy made English a natural part of her daily life. That, she says, was her biggest learning hack.<\/p>\n Real Growth Happens Outside the Classroom<\/strong><\/p>\n Life in Cebu, Philippines, was very different from what Jovy was used to in Japan\u2014and at first, it was a bit of a shock.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat surprised me most was how scary it was to cross the street! Cars just wouldn\u2019t stop, so I literally couldn\u2019t take a single step at first,\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n She also recalls being taken aback by the sanitation and infrastructure<\/strong> in some parts of the city. It wasn\u2019t what she expected\u2014but she didn\u2019t give up.<\/p>\n Over time\u2014after a few days or weeks\u2014she gradually adapted<\/strong>, learning how to move around safely and confidently.<\/p>\n \u201cI stopped going out at night and made sure to use taxis when traveling. Once I started being conscious about safety, my anxiety really went down.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For Jovy, this experience didn\u2019t just build English skills\u2014it also taught her how to live and adapt in a foreign country<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks to what I went through in Cebu, I feel confident I can handle life in Canada too.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cChasing My Dream\u2014With English by My Side\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n After her study abroad at 3D ACADEMY, Jovy has her sights set on a new goal: a working holiday in Canada<\/strong>. In fact, the idea of working overseas had been on her mind long before coming to Cebu.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter my trip to Denmark in high school, I kept thinking, \u2018I want to go abroad again\u2014this time, being able to speak English.\u2019 That dream is finally starting to take shape.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n She chose Canada as her destination for a special reason\u2014it\u2019s one of the world’s top countries for curling<\/strong>, the sport she once pursued professionally.<\/p>\n \u201cCanada has a really rich curling culture. If I get the chance, I\u2019d love to visit a local club and experience it firsthand.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For Jovy, the working holiday isn\u2019t just about improving her English. It\u2019s also about expanding her life experience and exploring new possibilities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like my speaking skills and confidence have really grown at 3D, so I\u2019m ready to take on this next challenge in Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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<\/h2>\nChapter 1\uff5cSecond Overseas Challenge<\/h2>\n
The Desire to \u201cReally Speak English\u201d<\/h3>\n
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\u201cNext time, I want to go abroad with the ability to actually speak English.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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\nChapter 2\uff5cChoosing the Right School with Family<\/h2>\n
How Jovy Found a Place Both She and Her Parents Could Trust<\/h3>\n
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\nChapter 3\uff5cHer Study Rhythm: One-on-One Lessons + Self-Study Room<\/h2>\n
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\nChapter 4\uff5cThe Day She Wasn\u2019t Afraid to Speak<\/h2>\n
Group Lessons Taught Her: \u201cIt\u2019s Okay to Make Mistakes\u201d<\/h3>\n
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\nChapter 5\uff5cDaily Self-Study and Learning from Movies<\/h2>\n
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\nChapter 6\uff5cCulture Shock in Cebu<\/h2>\n
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\nChapter 7\uff5cNext Step: A Working Holiday in Canada<\/h2>\n
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\n\u270f\ufe0f Afterword\uff5cBelieving in the \u201cNew Me\u201d Who Can Speak English<\/h2>\n