My Life in Winnipeg

I have stayed in Winnipeg since April 3^rd. I am studying English in Intensive English Program (IEP) of University of Manitoba. I am a second grade of university student in Japan. Studying English in Canada for one year is one of my Japanese university programs. The reason why I decided to study English in IEP is I wanted to speak English and have different experience which Japanese people usually don’t have. In Japanese education, studying English is not important because we don’t have opportunity to speak English in Japan. Of course, I knew some vocabulary before I have come to Canada, but I didn’t have confidence and enough skills to speak because I have never spoken English. Also, Japan is one of island country in the world. I don’t see many foreigners. Hence, we don’t need to know English in Japan.

 Last April, I lived in residence. I didn’t know that I can greet foreigners or not because Japanese people usually don’t greet if we don’t know each other. When a foreigner  student who live in residence greet me on the corridor of the residence, I was so surprised, happy and shy. You may understand why I was surprised and happy. Why I was so shy because I thought that someone would think I posed as a foreigner person. I know I am very Japanese, but this is Japanese. This month, I took a nap every day after class because I was so tired I hear, speak and read English all day long. Nonetheless, I wasn’t lonely because I talked with my Japanese friends every night to speak Japanese.

 Since last may, I have lived in homestay. I realized I didn’t have opportunity to speak English if I lived in residence. Also It is difficult to make friends with foreigners because I am shy person. Fortunately, my homestay family is really nice, and my roommate has become my best friend. I really love them, though I got homesick. I didn’t know that I cannot speak Japanese is really hard, tough and sad. I wanted to tell them about my story in my school such as I talked my Japanese friends every night in residence, but I didn’t know how to speak and describe. I called my family in Japan and cried before go to bed every night. I don’t remember the day that I didn’t feel homesick. I have talked English with my friends, homestay family, teachers in IEP and all people who speak English. In September or October, I haven’t felt embarrassed to speak English. My English is still not good. I often forget to add articles. I don’t know how to explain what I want to say sometimes, but I have confidence to speak, furthermore I enjoy.

After I moved to homestay, my life was changed, and I have started to enjoy Canada life. Firstly, my homestay family and my roommate has become my important people in my life. My homestay family invites roommate and myself to go to shopping, their family’s birthday party and so on. I have a lot of fun with them. I made 4 Canadian friends who are my hostfamily’s grandsons. They are very kind, and I play with them a lot. Hide and seek is one of my favorite game which I played with them. Then, I met some friends who are in another English program at the bus stop. They can speak English more than me because they stay longer. I learnt English from them. Then, IEP have a program which is “language partner”. IEP introduces IEP students Canadian people, then we can talk and improve my English skills. Most of the language partners are university students. I have had a partner who is a university teacher. I talk about my life. She talks about her life. We talk lots of things. I really enjoyed with her. Finally, IEP program has activities every weekend. There are 5 activity leaders in IEP and they lead us. IEP teaches me ideas to enjoy Winnipeg. One of my favorite activity is going to paint ball.

 Time flies every day. My program of studying English in Canada is coming to the end. I am going to go back home the end of March. I am going to miss all my important people whom I met in Winnipeg. I only have 49days to spend in Winnipeg Canada. I thank for all of people who make me love Winnipeg.

 Now, I don’t fear to speak English. After I graduate my Japanese university, I want to have job which use English. I will be back my second home Winnpeg to visit my hostfamily, friends and IEP in the future. These are my dream which I have declared in Canada.