I have been in Ireland for four months during the winter season. I decided to go abroad to study English in my third year at my university. In November, my friends started their job hunting. I also did my job hunting, just like my friends, but I stopped after I went to Germany in December of that year. When I heard from my friends that they just started working, I felt a bit lonely. However, I have never regretted for my decision of being in Ireland.

   I went to Germany to see my friend who learned German. I met many of her friends who had gone abroad to study like my friend. I couldn't talk with them fluently when they spoke to me in English. Many Europeans are able to speak English even if it's not their native language. They learn German as their third language. I felt frustrated that I couldn't speak English. When I was going back to Japan from Germany, I was thinking about my future. I had to restart my job hunting after I went back to Japan. While on the plane, I looked unintentionally at the cabin attendants. It seemed to me that they were enjoying their work. The cabin attendants were attractive because they were able to change their manners while speaking to customers to match with the situations. Then, at that moment, I decided I want to be a cabin attendant and go abroad to study English.

   I met a woman, after I came back from Germany, who is two years ahead of me in my faculty and works as a cabin attendant. After I met this woman, I changed my idea of going abroad to study. It's necessary to speak English to be a cabin attendant and then to later be entrusted with an important post in the future.

   The reason why I decided to study in Ireland is that few Japanese have lived in Ireland. I thought it was better for me not to meet other Japanese so I can master English. I really hoped my English would improve after ten months. It's not common though for Japanese to choose Ireland to study English. They usually go to the United States, Canada, England, or Australia. I heard from my friend who went to the United States to study English that there were many Japanese in her class. They tend to get together even in a foreign country. I hardly met any Japanese in Ireland. There were only four Japanese, including myself. But even if we met around the campus, we still spoke English to each other because they also wanted to learn English too.

   Living abroad is a pain but also a pleasure. I made many friends, who I spend the best time with, in my school, but I had a problem with my Brazilian flatmates when I moved to the apartment. It was a matter of whether they have a different sense of values for many things than me or not. But we quarrelled over trivial matters every day. There were about money, cleaning the house, frequent parties, etc. My flatmates strongly fought back when things like this happened. Since I am never contented, I also fought with them too. Whenever I was in the house, I felt very stressful. It was a serious problem for me to feel stressful in my house. I noticed the characteristic of being careful about other people which most Japanese were great at doing. On the other hand, when I had a difficult time, my friends helped me out. I have many friends who are from South America. Although I accidentally had a problem with Brazilians, most of them were very kind to me. I learned, from them, how to keep smiling whenever I had a problem. I have lived in a different apartment with girls from different countries. It was interesting how each ones' individualities came out. I was very happy that I met them.

   I have worked in a lunch box shop for one month while I was in Ireland. Working there was an excellent opportunity for me. I got to practice my English which I usually didn't use with my friends and had a chance to meet with the Irish people. Each one of them had a strong personality. Although I was often surprised about their request, I have never thought myself being interested in this part-time job.

   My daily routines were usually set through the life of Ireland. I went to school in the morning and then I worked in the shop for four hours each day. After I finished my work, I studied at the library or at my house until I went to my bed. I didn't have enough time to improve my English level by just living in Ireland. I suppose I also needed to study harder on my own too. On the weekends, I met with my friends and spend the most brilliant and relaxed time of my life. Although studying by yourself could be considered important, I also thought meeting your friends were another effective way to improve your English skill. I was surprised how fast time flew very quickly. If I didn't challenge myself into everything in this life, my studying abroad will be meaningless.

   I also have enjoyed going travelling to other cities in Ireland or to other countries. I like visiting places where there are old histories and I love looking at beautiful architectures. There were so many kinds of old history and architectures in Europe. It was easy to go travelling around Europe from Ireland. I particularly recommend travelling there by train. Whenever I go travelling somewhere, I often recall my professor's word. He repeatedly said, "Young people should go abroad.”

   I agree with my professor. I will be able to obtain different points of view I haven't had for certain things or ideas. In my case, I am getting confidence and a winder view on things.

   Going abroad to study was a way to achieve my goal in the future. My goal in the near future is to work as a cabin attendant and be entrusted with an important position in my job.