High school exchanges and study abroad with Nacel.

“During the first half-year of 2013 I made an exchange program in Cape Town, South Africa. It is not normal for a Colombian to go to South Africa, and I thought it was going to be a nice and different experience. And actually it was the best experience I could ever had. I learnt much more than I expected.

I lived in an amazing host family, and they taught me a lot about their culture and about their ways of living, that actually weren´t that different to my hometown. They opened their doors for me, and they made me feel part of the family. Beside my host family I met a lot of nice people at school, where I went during the exchange. I made stronger friendships in six months than I could ever had made here in a lifetime. I met people I will never forget and I was in places I would always remember.

Even though the culture is not so different as the culture in Colombia, I had a completely different life there. I went to the school walking and I lived near to the beach. I used public transport, while in Colombia I am used to get everywhere with the car. It was amazing to take the train and the taxi. It helped me to become more independent.

Cape Town is a beautiful and huge city. At the beginning I never thought I could ever be able to get to any place alone. But actually it was very easy to take the public transport and I had the opportunity to see beautiful places by my own.

Sometimes it is sad to look back and think about the amazing people I met and left there. But I am lucky to have those beautiful memories, and I would never change this experience for anything.

Someone told me once that everyone who goes to South Africa leaves a part of their hearts there. I thought he was exaggerating, but at the moment I left South Africa I knew he was right, and a part of my heart was left behind.

I studied in a New Zealand High School for about 1 year and I really had a good experience and nice time. First, about classes I took, classes were very interesting, because each class was not just listening to our teachers story but had a time to do some kind of activities such as, solve questions by myself, watch video or do some group work. In Japan, classes sometimes have a time to solve questions but usually students just listen to the teacher and I felt sleepy and boring many times. However here in New Zealand, I didn´t become sleepy. I also felt surprise because the classes I took were really interesting and I thought I want to know more about this topic! It was the first time that I thought I want to study more. Second, about my friends. At first when I arrived in New Zealand, I was thinking that I would only meet KIWI students. But in fact, there were huge number of KIWI students, also many other international students from all over the world. It was a little surprise for me. However, talking with other students from other country, not only for KIWI, was very good experience for me. I never thought I become friends from other country such as the Philippines or Chile in New Zealand. But if I was staying in Japan, I couldnt meet with them. So I am feeling I was really lucky because I could come and study in a High School in New Zealand. Of course I also could make friend with KIWIs.   At first time talking with everyone, I became extremely nervous. I still remember what I say first in my first class. However, when I talk with them, everyone was so kind and I was surprised, I thought Was talking with other person such an easy thing to do. I am now really feeling thank you because now in Japan, I can talk with other people more bravely and relaxing. Now, when I think about New Zealand, I feel that my High School was a very kind and relaxing place. I am remembering that many people helped me with smile. It was really comfortable place for me and now I am feeling thank you to my class teacher, international teacher, KIWI friends, international friends, my host family, and all people I met in New Zealand. If I have a chance, I am thinking that I want to go back to New Zealand someday.

Katsumi Sakai

Andres is participating in our Study and Volunteer program in Australia.
This program offers students from ages 21-30 to learn a new language and support a local nonprofit organization.
"I wanted to let you know I am having such an amazing time here in Australia. I love the school and I am very happy with the host family. One of the bosses of Nacel was here a few weeks ago and I also communicated with him that I was very happy. I have done a bit of traveling so far. I have been twice in Sydney and I am traveling to Melbourne over Easter with Cristina and more people. I would like, then, to share a few photos with you in case you want to post them on your social networks. Please find attached some of these. Also, I would like to let you know I would be very happy to extend my stay if you can still do something in that regard. Cristina has mentioned a few times that it would be possible to extend it -since the school holds a visa agreement for three years now- but that it would depend on how things would go. I can say I am working really hard and doing my best to impress both her and the family. As a matter of fact, I am looking at starting a teaching career in Australia in the future and I have already got in touch with the education department so that they set me in the right directions. Accordingly, a whole year of experience in Australia would be more than great.

 Kind regards Andres"