Yuzuha Matsuyama

Which ELC program(s) did you attend?

I attended the Intensive English (ELPI) program. 

What made your ELC program special?

Fortunately, I was the only Japanese student in my class, so I was in a situation where I couldn’t use Japanese even if I wanted to during lessons. I was able to really feel the differences in culture and ways of thinking because the students came from six different countries.

What is the most memorable thing that happened to you as an ELC student?

The most memorable moment for me was giving a speech in front of all my classmates. I’m not sure if I was able to speak well because I was so nervous, but after finishing, I received applause from everyone. Even afterward, during class and after class, both my teacher and classmates personally told me it was really good. It became a truly wonderful memory.

Do you have any favourite memories of Canadian culture?

Canadians almost always start a conversation by asking ‘How are you?’ or ‘How’s going?’ It’s an interesting part of the culture because that kind of back-and-forth doesn’t usually happen in conversations between Japanese people.

How did learning with students from other cultures change how you see the world?

When interacting with classmates from different cultural backgrounds, I often found myself taking the role of a listener rather than expressing my own opinions strongly. I realized that, for better or worse, Japanese people tend to communicate in ways that avoid conflict. Over time, I felt it was important to assert my own thoughts more clearly.

Did studying English with us open any new opportunities for you? What are you doing now?

I’m still taking the ELPI class (400 level), and compared to the last two courses (300 level), I feel like the skills we need have jumped up quite a bit higher. I go to school every day feeling excited.