Through this study abroad experience, I have learned deeply how important communication is. There are three main instances where I strongly felt the significance of communication.
First, during my fieldwork. The organization where I conducted my fieldwork was a childcare facility called Kiddies Korner. There, I had many opportunities to interact with children. The children’s emotions could change drastically depending on their condition or mood that day, and without communication, it was difficult to understand their feelings. On the other hand, by actively engaging in communication, I was able to have the children remember my name and even converse with them. Particularly, the children I communicated with regularly gave me letters on the last day and said they didn’t want to say goodbye, hugging me in farewell.
I also realized the importance of communication during my homestay with my host family. In Japan, there is often an emphasis on having others read your feelings, but coming to Canada made me realize how important it is to express my thoughts clearly. Life in Canada differs in many ways from life in Japan, and it became essential to express my preferences and communicate when something didn’t align with my tastes, especially during meals. For example, when there were foods I didn’t like, I found that clearly expressing my feelings was necessary.
Next, I learned a lot through my classes, especially during group work. In group work, it was crucial to express my ideas and opinions clearly. Additionally, understanding and respecting others’ opinions during discussions was vital. I learned that exchanging ideas while respecting others helped to achieve better outcomes.
Finally, I believe communication skills will also be valuable in my future career. For example, when presenting a new proposal at a company, it is common to give a presentation. Through my classes, I realized that presentations are not just about reading a script but about finding the best way to communicate so that the audience can understand. By acquiring communication skills, I can gain confidence, and that confidence can help engage the audience and effectively convey my message.
Through these experiences, I have realized that communication is not only essential for enriching my study abroad experience but also a crucial skill for the future. For me, the most significant takeaway from this study abroad experience is learning that “communication is the most important thing.“