• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Smith's School of English

To provide English speakers the opportunity to own their own business teaching English in Japan.

  • Franchise Entry
    • Buy a Developed Franchise
    • Start Your Own
  • The Franchise
    • Work Visa & Taxes
    • Franchise Training
    • Franchise Support
      • What Franchisees get
      • SSE Products
      • FAQ’s
  • Testimonials
  • About
    • Coaching Confidence
    • Contact
  • Blog
    • English School Articles
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Blog, English School Articles · February 2, 2009

study abroad

You are here: Home / Blog / study abroad

In the past 2 years 3 of my students chose to travel abroad to study English for about 6 months and another 2 will be going this year. I always encourage my students to follow their dreams and living abroad is something that will change them forever. Some students come back with a new found appreciation for Japan (the fantastic food, the politeness, the heritage, etc) while others fall in love with the countries they visit (the nature, the independence, the attitude). Either way it will give them a better perspective about the world in which we live in and how to interact with one another.

Recently a student went to Powell River, in Canada, and sent me an email to tell me about her life there. These days with internet access available at nearly every school it’s easy for me to keep in touch with students thousands of miles away and help them with any questions they might have. Obviously culture shock is always an issue so I’m happy to lend a helping hand when I can. At first, things can be tough but after they get used to their new life and make new friends the more they enjoy themselves. Sometimes they come back a new person with a new outlook on life. They bring with them a new found confidence in speaking up and voicing their own opinions.

Students can then share their experiences (both positive and those not so positive) in class which lead to great discussions as each person has a different take on things. In a few months time two of my students will be returning to Japan and I can’t wait to hear about all their adventures. Until that time I’ll just have to make do with emails and chat. It’s great to know that I can still be of help even though I’m here and they’re there.

Adrian

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • X

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Filed Under: Blog, English School Articles

Mark Smith

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Edward says

    February 2, 2009 at 4:14 am

    Adrian,

    I grew up in Nanaimo, which is very near to Powell River, and have been there many times. Beautiful beautiful place, fresh air, open ocean, islands, forest, mountains, fishing, whales….

    If your student wants to ask questions to someone who know the local area, please feel free to give your student my email. I’m certain your student is loving it there!

    Edward, SSE Ohtsu

    Reply
  2. Adrian says

    February 2, 2009 at 9:33 am

    Thanks Edward, I’ll write to my student and let her know. Always good to have friends…

    Adrian

    Reply
  3. Al Bartle says

    February 13, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Adrian,

    You are right! Studying abroad for a time does a lot to boost student’s confidence. I have also had four students who have studied abroad in Canada, the Netherlands, England and Australia. In most cases they come back even more determined to master English, so I highly recommend it. However, maybe the most important part is the experience of just traveling in the chosen country and using the English they have learned and picking up more. The homestay family’s children often end up being their best teachers as they don’t cut them any slack.

    Great post!
    Al

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Search

From the Blog

  • Blog
  • English School Articles
  • Smith's Sustainabilty
  • Sustainability Development Goals
  • Testimonials
スミス英会話メインページ

5 days ago

スミス英会話メインページ
今週のワンポイントレッスンはコチラです★What was the toughest thing about today?今日一番大変だったことは何ですか?smithweb.co.jp/2025/07/one-point-lesson-7a19/#スミス英会話 #月謝制英会話 #ワンポイントレッスン ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

スミス英会話メインページ

2 weeks ago

スミス英会話メインページ
今週のワンポイントレッスンはコチラです★Is there anything that you would like to learn to do?何か習いたいことはありますか?smithweb.co.jp/2025/06/one-point-lesson-7a18/#スミス英会話 #月謝制英会話 #ワンポイントレッスン ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blog Posts
  • Discussing Milestones
  • A Common Listening Problem English Learners Have
  • Protected: The Japan Iwaskows
  • Christmas holidays in Germany (part 2)
  • German Christmas (part 1)
  • Autumn in Japan vs Autumn in Canada
  • Unique Japan- Smith’s School of English, Sagamihara
  • Edward’s Language Journey
  • Osaka Higashi Line – Convenient Fuse
  • Small Talk in Katsura
Smith’s School of English Franchises
#101,8-21-5, Hanafuku-building, Fukushima-Ku,OsakaTel: 0120-222-248 (Japan)
Tel: 81-6-6455-8050 (Other)
Fax: 06-6455-8052
E-mail: info@sse-franchise.com

Copyright © 2025 · Smith's School of English, all rights reserved. · Privacy · Log in

%d