Working holiday in New Zealand

Today, I had an interview for customer service staff position at a retail shop. The area manager was very kind, and the atmosphere in the workplace was warm, which made me even more eager to work there. However, I struggled to answer three questions from the manager: What is the most important thing to maintain teamwork? My answer: Listening carefully to colleagues' ideas because we need to collaborate with people from various backgrounds. How do you handle difficulties on your own? My answer: Consulting with supervisors or colleagues who have more experience and diverse perspectives, as it can be risky to make decisions alone without enough experience. Would you like to work here permanently? My answer: "Of course!" If I obtain permanent residency in New Zealand, I would definitely like to work here long-term. The second question was particularly challenging because the manager wanted to hear my personal approach to handling difficulties, not just a general response. The...

Today, I joined a special event called the World's Largest Haka with 14 Top NZ Entertainers, held at Eden Park in Auckland. I  had never thought I would become part of haka history and Guinness World Records. I can feel how important Māori culture is in New Zealand.

Britomart Station is one of the largest stations in Auckland City. A market is held there from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Saturday. Today, I finally visited and enjoyed the warm atmosphere, where people from various nationalities were serving their countries' local food and merchandise. Afterward, I went up to the top of the Sky Tower, one of the symbols of the city. The 360-degree view was relaxing.

It has been just 2 months since I moved to New Zealand. I’ve felt that time has been passing faster and faster recently. Maybe it’s a sign that I’ve had a meaningful time so far. I’ve realized that while speaking English clearly is certainly essential here in New Zealand, having the right attitude to understand others' thoughts is even more important. In other words, English is just one of the tools for communication. Gaining this perspective was a significant moment for me. Whenever I feel lost, I’ll remind myself of my motto: "Let’s try anyway," and keep moving forward.

Yesterday, I visited Devonport with my friends after school. It was my first time taking the ferry that connects Britomart station to Devonport. We had a relaxing time on the ferry, enjoying the clear blue sky and the sound of seagulls. Auckland is one of the largest and the most convenient city in New Zealand, though it is not as crowded as Tokyo. Also, if you travel a little outside the city center, you’ll find many hills covered with beautiful green grass. In other words, we can relax there whenever we want! Overall, I’ve had a fruitful and precious time so far.

Recently, I’ve felt that lifestyles and career paths have changed dramatically. It used to be common to work at the same company until retirement.  In fact, my parents always told me the same thing. However, these days, more people are starting to explore new fields they haven't experienced before, and I am one of them. Initially, I worked at a pharmaceutical company for four years, leveraging my knowledge of life sciences. After that, I transitioned to working at an international cooperation organization, which plans and implements various programs to help foreign students and working professionals deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and cutting-edge technology. Meeting people with diverse perspectives through my career change inspired me to embark on a working holiday to acquire skills overseas. I haven’t regretted these decisions at all so far. Of course, I must not forget to always appreciate my wife's understanding.

Who are you most proud of? One of my teachers at language school asked us this question before. I quickly answered, "My wife." However, my friend from Latin America said, "Myself." I was surprised by her answer, and at the same time, I realized that maybe we Japanese should have more confidence in ourselves. Of course, not all Japanese people are shy, but I have noticed that more than half of us tend to be shy or hesitate to express our opinions strongly, at least in our language school. Speaking English fluently is certainly important, but I believe that speaking to others or taking action with pride might be even more essential. So, I will try to express my opinions more actively than before. We don’t need to worry so much about what others think of us.

The day before yesterday, I went to Ambury Regional Park to relax. Although I was happy to move up to a higher-level class at language school, I have been feeling a little tired. As expected, I’m finding it a bit challenging to adapt to a new environment, but it's not bad because it’s an opportunity to strengthen myself. Anyway, the many sheep and grassy fields gave me a sense of relief. It was a fruitful time!

I will write down the phrases that I wasn't familiar with before or had forgotten, just like I did yesterday. decide between I cannot decide between the two. delight in She seems to   delight in helping others' success. detract from The constant noise detracts from the peaceful atmosphere of the park. excuse for Please excuse me for arriving late - the bus was delayed. heard of Have you ever heard of something about that? laugh at It's not nice to laugh at someone. listen for I'm listening for the mail carrier; she should be here by now. object to Most people do not object to helping someone in need. recover from It often takes a long time to recover from a serious illness. spend on She spent all of her money on a new car. substitute for You can substitute almond milk for regular milk in this recipe. wait on I will not bring you breakfast in bed. I won't wait on you like that. wrestle with I spent two hours wrestling with that problem, but we could not solve it.

Yesterday, I learned some verbs that require specific prepositions, which I wasn't familiar with before. Our teacher told me that there are no options other than memorizing them as they are. I think some Japanese vocabulary poses similar challenges, so I will focus on memorizing them and continue practicing. allude to : It is not polite to allude to someone's disability. apologize to : The leader did not want to apologize to me. argue about : A judge does not want you to argue about anything unless you have a good case. become of : John has disappeared; I do not know what has become of him. blame for : Don't blame me for your problems! blame on : Don't blame your problems on me! compliment on : Compliment them on their performance. consent to : The parents refused to consent to their daughter's marriage. convince of : I am convinced of his good intentions. Thank you for reading.

Should teachers at language schools prohibit students from using their smartphones during class? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages, and state your position.   Teachers at language schools may allow students to use their smartphones during class. There are two main advantages to this. Firstly, students can search for information they don't know in a timely manner. When they struggle to follow the teacher's explanation, they can quickly deepen their understanding by using tools like ChatGPT or dictionaries, without interrupting the class. Secondly, smartphones can store important study materials, allowing students to access them anywhere. This enables them to study the language even during short periods, such as on their way home, which greatly increases efficiency. However, there is a risk that relying on smartphones could reduce the time students spend thinking deeply about problems on their own. They might develop a habit of looking up answers too quickly. One possible ...

Overpopulation in major cities presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of housing, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability As more people move to central cities, the demand for housing accelerates the destruction of natural environments. Additionally, overpopulation increases the pressure on job availability, leading to higher competition and potentially higher unemployment in certain areas. One solution to address this issue is to make public transportation free. By reducing commuting costs, people may be encouraged to live in rural areas, easing the pressure on crowded cities. In countries like Japan and New Zealand, living in the countryside can sometimes offer a more comfortable lifestyle thanks to the abundance of green spaces, which helps improve overall well-being. Moving to rural areas could not only help reduce environmental destruction in urban centers but also promote better health and quality of life for individuals. In conclusion, overpopulation...

Argue whether individuals or governments should take more responsibility for environmental protection and why. Governments should take more responsibilies for environmental protection for two reasons. Firstly, governments can allocate a significant amount of funding for environmental initiatives by including them in their annual budgets, which is easier than for individuals. This allows governments to implement various measures to combat environmental destruction more effectively. Secondly, governments can attract more support, including from international communities and well-known companies, which helps secure the necessary human resources for large-scale environmental projects. This level of coordination and reach is something individuals cannot easily achieve on their own. In conclusion, assigning more responsibilities to governments has clear advantages in terms of both financial resources and the ability to mobilize human resources.

Public transportation should not be free for two key reasons. Firstly, if public transportation becomes free, it would be highly difficult to maintain current facilities or provide quality customer service. This could lead to an increase in accidents involving trains or buses, as well as a rise in criminal incidents due to inadequate security measures. Secondly, making public transportation free might result in job losses for those currently working at train stations and bus terminals. In many countries, a significant number of people are employed in the public transport sector. If these jobs disappear, it could contribute to economic decline, as many individuals and families depend on these positions for their livelihood. In conclusion, the current system of paid public transportation should remain in place to ensure safety, service quality, and economic stability.

Which is better online learning or traditional learning? Online learning has some clear advantages over traditional learning, primarily because of its flexibility. With online learning, you can study anywhere and at any time, using devices like tablets or laptops. This means you can continue learning even if you are injured or if your daily schedule makes it difficult to attend classes during the day. Therefore, online learning is very convenient. However, there are two main downsides to consider. First, you need a reliable internet connection for online learning. Second, resolving questions in a timely manner can be challenging, as online learning may offer less immediate flexibility compared to traditional learning. For example, if you have additional questions, the teacher might finish the class on time without addressing them. In conclusion, online learning offers significant benefits compared to traditional methods, but its effectiveness can depend on individual preferences an...

Discuss the pros and cons of renting versus buying a home, considering financial and lifestyle factors Renting a home is often considered better than buying a home from both financial and lifestyle perspectives. Firstly, renting eliminates the responsibility for maintenance and repair costs, which are typically covered by the landlord. In contrast, homeowners must manage and pay for any repairs, such as fixing plumbing issues or replacing broken appliances. This can lead to unexpected expenses, which can negatively affect one’s financial stability and daily life. Secondly, renting offers greater flexibility when it comes to relocating, which is particularly beneficial for families with children. For example, if a child has difficulty adjusting to a new school environment or experiences being bullied, renting allows the family to move to a different area with relative ease. This kind of mobility can be crucial when considering the well-being of children.   However, renting also has ...

Should schools place more emphasis on vocational training rather than traditional academic subjects? Why or why not?   Schools should place more emphasis on vocational training rather than traditional academic subjects because the current generation is increasingly required to complete tasks accurately and quickly using practical skills. For example, the demand for professionals skilled in coding and effectively using AI has been rising dramatically. Vocational training is more useful than learning traditional academic subjects because it produces specialized human resources in these fields. In other words, we need to acquire skills applicable to real-life situations, not just theoretical ones. Therefore, vocational training is more essential than learning traditional knowledge.

Today, the class member list for the next six weeks was announced. To my surprise, I was promoted to a higher-level class, B2 based on the CEFR, which made me happy. I thought it would be very difficult to move up because I didn’t score high on the exams conducted until last week. My teacher said, "Your knowledge and vocabulary are very good, but you sometimes seem too nervous when speaking. Your current challenge is to just relax. You’ll succeed in a job interview if you can overcome that. Good luck!" Maybe I’ve been pushing myself to be perfect without realizing it. Moving forward, I’ll focus on being more confident. Thank you for reading.

Today, I had an interview for a job I applied for earlier. The position is for a customer service role at a pharmacy. This was my first interview in New Zealand. The questions from the employer were as follows: What are your skills and experience? When are you available? Why do you want to work here? What are your thoughts on long-term career plans? I struggled to answer the fourth question smoothly because lately, I’ve been focused on securing the money I need for the next 3 or 4 months. Even though I’ve always been mindful of my future plans in Japan, I may have lost sight of them recently due to the daily challenges of living here. Today's interview reminded me of my original goals and mindset, so it was a meaningful experience for me.   Thank you for reading.

The influence of advertising on consumer choices Advertising, especially on social media, significantly affects our choices. Many people frequently browse platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or X, where they are exposed to numerous ads every day. Not only do they check out products, but they may also start considering buying them because of these attractive ads. It is inevitable to come across ads as long as we use our smartphones. In today's world, not having a smartphone is almost impossible. In other words, advertising on social media undeniably influences consumer choices.

How does tourism affect local cultures and environments?   Tourism brings economic wealth to local areas and increases the chances of letting people from other countries learn about local cultures. Firstly, the more foreigners come to Japan, the more money the locals can earn. They can then use this profit to restore old architecture or improve their services. As a result, it becomes easier to attract more foreign tourists, enriching the local economy. Secondly, tourism allows locals to spread their culture and habits to people from different backgrounds and religions. Sharing knowledge leads to a deeper understanding of other cultures, which is essential in today’s world where we are constantly required to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. In conclusion, tourism positively affects local cultures and environments.

Today's topic: The consequences of economic inequality on social stability   Economic inequality leads to conflicts and widens the gap between the rich and the poor. In some countries, the poor may engage in attacking public facilities or banks in urgent attempts to secure money for daily survival. In response, the government tries to stop these activities, often resulting in conflicts between citizens and authorities. Meanwhile, the wealthy stay in safe places and avoid helping the poor, prioritizing their own safety. Once such conflicts arise, resolving the situation becomes extremely difficult.

Today's topic: How traveling to different places can help you grow as a person? What lessons have you learned from your travels? Traveling to different countries gives me two important things. First, it deepens my understanding of other cultures, habits, and ways of thinking. For example, I noticed a significant difference between New Zealand and Japan in their approach to conserving natural resources. In New Zealand, there are fewer water filtration systems and electricity generators than in Japan. As a result, during my homestay, I had to limit how often I washed clothes and shortened my shower time. This taught me the importance of adapting to a country's specific conditions in daily life. Second, traveling opens up new job opportunities that may not exist in my home country. For instance, I noticed that New Zealand has more farm jobs compared to Japan. This is beneficial for those seeking nature-related work. By traveling, we can discover new career opportunities that we mi...

Advantages of Social Media:   One advantage is the ability to contact anyone, anywhere, at any time. In emergencies like car accidents or injuries, we can ask for help immediately. Another benefit is that people with disabilities can learn or work like others. For example, a blind person can access information via YouTube or Audible. Without social media, such opportunities wouldn't be accessible. So, social media is useful. Disadvantages of Social Media:  However, there are downsides. First, it's hard to rest because we're always connected, blurring the line between personal and work time. Second, it reduces the chance to think deeply since answers are readily available. I’ve noticed that the younger generation struggles to focus for long periods.   Because new developments bring challenges, we must learn to use them wisely based on the situation   Thank you for reading.

I went to Western Park with my friends. It’s been getting warmer lately, so I’ve been feeling comfortable every day. I noticed that small flowers have begun to bloom. The scenery, filled with greenery, made me happy and gave me the energy to study English. The challenges I need to overcome became clear after I finished the evaluation test: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. I will review my weak points and continue to practice English over the weekend!

Why must we pay attention to our mental health? I think the reason is that it affects our daily lives both positively and negatively. For example, if we are overwhelmed with tasks every day, we may have very little time for hobbies or spending time with family. This accumulation of stress can lead to physical problems, which may eventually result in mental health issues. Therefore, it’s important to avoid overworking.   Now, I will suggest two methods to promote mental health. Please note that these are just my ideas, so there may be better methods out there. Still, I’ll write down my thoughts below. Consulting with family or trusted friends about changes in your mental condition compared to the past can be helpful. People who struggle with mental health often try to resolve their issues alone, but this can be dangerous. They push themselves to complete more tasks on top of their daily work, and the burden becomes too heavy, making it difficult to resolve the situation without supp...

I will write down my opinion about the question below. How education might evolve in the coming years, considering technological advancements and changing societal needs? I think that the educational system using Chat-GPT will become common in the near future because we are always required to complete tasks quickly and accurately. We need to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of this development. The advantage is that Chat-GPT provides the opportunity to learn anything, anytime, and anywhere. In the past, we had no option but to be absent if we were injured or unable to go to school due to family circumstances. But now, we can continue to learn even if we cannot physically attend school. This is helpful for everyone. The disadvantage is that it increases the risk of losing opportunities to communicate with other people. This is a serious problem since helping each other is essential for being alive. Even if we get a job working alone from home, we need to keep us updated on...

In the afternoon class, we shared our own scary experiences with each other. I think the fundamental point is to use simple words and easily understandable sentences because there was a gap in vocabulary and grammar knowledge among students. This is also true even when I talk about it in Japanese. Anyway, I wrote down the sentences I created in the class. This incident happened when I was a university student. One day, I needed to conduct many experiments to earn my graduate certificate. While I was analyzing my experimental data at my desk, I heard someone approaching from behind. Although I looked back, no one was there. At that moment, I thought I was just being overly sensitive to small noises, so I resumed my tasks. But then, I heard it again right away. I became upset and immediately ran out of the laboratory. Later, my friends told me that the same thing had happened several times before. This story was really terrifying. I felt it was important not only to read sentences while ...

I discussed the best ways to remember things with my classmates in the morning class. Remembering People's Names: It's challenging to memorize people's names because the length and structure of names can differ significantly across different countries. So, it's helpful to have strategies for easier memorization. For example, the Japanese name "Shu" can be associated with the pronunciation of the English word "shoot." This was a suggestion from our class teacher, and it's very useful.   Remembering Phone Numbers: Most of the students in our class don’t remember phone numbers anymore because, once we save them in our smartphones, we rarely need to look them up again. I think this is inevitable, given that our generation is constantly bombarded with information. In other words, we need to prioritize what’s important and what’s not. As a result, many people feel that there’s no real benefit in memorizing phone numbers anymore. Today's topic was s...

I joined a running activity held by Run4Auckland, which is one of the running communities in Auckland City. A friend from South America, whom I met yesterday, introduced it to me. I was very excited to meet many people from other countries. As far as I could see, there were only two Japanese participants, so it gave me the opportunity to build new relationships with people from different cultures. We ran a total of 7 km, mainly along the bay in the CBD. The weather was perfect, as it was sunny all day, making the run very comfortable. It had been a long time since I last ran a long distance, so I got a little tired, but I felt refreshed. During the run, I talked with a new friend about the difficulty of finding a job here, and we were able to empathize with each other's situations. I think making friends in various places outside of language school is important, as the number of people I can communicate with there is limited. I will continue to broaden my horizons, just as I did to...