I chose HTIC because I wanted to be able to speak English. When I first became a part of HTIC, I could not understand much English and things were very difficult, but thanks to the support of the teachers and other students, I was able to grow, learn, and adapt. After the 6 months at HTIC, I left the dorms and started living in a homestay until graduation. At my homestay, I had more opportunities to speak English outside of school, which is when I felt my English skills really grow. At HTIC, there are Japanese students who you can communicate with, making it an easy transition for people who are not yet confident in their English abilities. The English proficiency I was able to attain and various experiences I acquired at HTIC were lifechanging to me and continue to help me in my new life at CSU Northridge.
Takeru Kawakami
