Studying Abroad

by Hiroshi
(Koshi, Kumamoto, Japan)


My name is Hiroshi. I am Japanese and 82 years old. I used to be an English teacher at schools. After retirement, I still continue studying English. I cannot abandon English in my life.

This summer, in August, I decided to go and study English at the language school in the Philippines for one month. And successfully I finished studying there and returned to Japan.

Naturally, the students there were all young, and they looked at me as if I were a living fossil. They were curious about me, and I became a kind of a celebrity. Some of them wanted to take a picture of me with them.

Of course, it was hard for me to live in a foreign country for a month, but with the help of the young students and teachers, I really enjoyed studying there.

I believe that it is because I have not abandoned English studying that I could have such a wonderful experience.

Comments for Studying Abroad

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Good for you Hiroshi
by: Anonymous

Hiroshi,

I was so impressed with your comments and your experience of teaching English. I'm so glad you found this site to share what you are doing with all of us now in our retirement years.

You are such a great example of what life in retirement is all about - pursuing something you love to do while benefiting so many others.

Thanks for all your contributions and good luck in your future endeavors.
Interview of studying abroad
by: Hiroshi

https://youtu.be/HuJdQvXAvmU

This is my interview by the English school in the Philippines. It has been posted on YouTube.
Thank you for giving me a comment
by: Hiroshi

Thank you very much for giving me a comment.

To Pat,
Thank you for your encouragement. I will try to continue my efforts.

To Sherry,
Thank you for praising my English, but it is still difficult for me to express myself in English.
It is good for you to meet many people from all over the world.

To God Bless you,
Yes, it is really good to mingle with young people.

To Minoru,
I am glad to have a message from a Japanese. I presume that you are an English professional such as a translator or interpreter. I like to be a friend with you if possible.

To Joe,
Thank you your advice. I will try to keep it in mind.

To study abroad,
That is good. Why don’t you try Japanese next?

To Wendy,
Thank you very much for posting my story. Thanks to you, I received a lot of comments. I am very happy.
Forge ahead !
by: Sue/North Carolina

Hi Everybody,

I studied Spanish in High School. In my fifties, I started French, first over the summer with a computer learning program, then in the university where I taught a different subject. I was the oldest in some. classes, but not all of them.

I went to study abroad in Dijon, France. There I was the only person in the program not in my twenties. One young lady in the program was hostile--"why are YOU here?" She hurt my feelings but I focussed on my goal and avoided her. Overall it was a mixed experience, but I learnt a lot and my accent became more fluent.

Now I translate from French to English for my own pleasure, and I meet up with French speakers once a week in my city. I am very happy to have such a hobby !
Studying English
by: Anonymous

Hello,

My fascination with languages comes from speaking several languages. Japanese is also a challenge. With a Japanese student who lived with us for 6 months I learned a few Japanes words. Writing it however was difficult.

Then I began to teach English as a Foreign
language. To my amazement I got a teacher from Kyoto. We enjoyed her stay because to me she was very interesting.

Wonderful that you continue to study English.
よくやった！
Yoku yatta!

Best Wishes, Nina
Admiration for Studying Abroad
by: Pat Murphy

Oh so delightful that the younger students took you under their wings, so to speak, and made you feel comfortable. And I find it wonderful that you keep on learning.

I think it's the secret to keeping our minds alive and fresh. Learn something every chance you get. You are doing so well at that.

Here's to many, many more years of gaining additional knowledge for you.
Living
by: Sherry/ NC

Hi Hiroshi, I can see you speak English very well and write it too!

You are also humorous!

The students in the Phillipines liked you a lot and I know I could learn from you also.

I volunteer here where I live in a nature garden. I drive a tram and give history tours to tourist. I meet many people from all over the world and I enjoy them and they me.

Much happiness and good health to you always!
God Bless You
by: Anonymous

Wonderful! I like studying languages and plan to do a lot and travel when I fully retire.

I did go to a French school a few years ago in Quebec and the people were mostly young but I had a wonderful time meeting many Canadians and Mexicans.
Super
by: Minoru Sadayasu

Hello, Hiroshi-san

I am Minoru Sadayasu, 78 years old turning 79 in a few days and live in Yokohama. I have never officially taught English in schools, but I kind of teach English in several groups of senior people who either spent time overseas or trying to learn English because they want to communicate with foreigners who are visiting Japan at the time the Tokyo Olympics is held in 2029.

I am very impressed with your courage to visit Philippines to learn English, but I feel that you did not need to go there to learn English as you seem to do well in English judging from your written English.

However, I am very interested in learning what your days in the Philippines were like and what you learned there.

I look forward to your return mail if possible.

Minoru Sadayasu
Power of Focus
by: Joe W.

I think that too many seniors are often confused after leaving their traditional job because they are not focused on their strengths at their retirement age.

What makes you happy?

In this case at 80 plus and being a retired English teacher it was the starting point to devising a suitable retirement plan. The previous work experience in the subject of English teaching led to the retirement choice of lifelong learning; and specifically pursuing further English language studies.

This is a great example of the process involved when your trying to figure out what you will do with the extra time you will probably have in retirement.

It doesn't have to be complicated as long as what you choose makes you happy. Don't worry about fame and fortune just focus on what you love to do and in this case, be prepared to go outside the box to get what you want done.

Happy English studies!

Joe W.
study abroad
by: Anonymous

That's great. I study French on Duolingo. I really like it.. If someone speaks rudely to me on my walks, I just speak a few words in French to throw them off.
Retirement is what you make it!
by: Wendy, retirement enthusiast

THIS is the perfect example.

Hiroshi is a lifelong learning student. He taught English, and chose to learn even more post retirement -- not just that, he travelled AT 82 for a month to learn.

Truly inspirational!

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