Student Spotlight – Daiki Nakajima
Daiki is from Japan and spent 18 weeks studying here in Noosa. He was enrolled in our General English course in our Upper Intermediate class before making the jump up to our FCE class.
Daiki is a model example of a Lexis student and the life you can lead here in Noosa. He threw himself head-first into his studies and the Noosa lifestyle and he even supplemented his studies by finding hospitality work in a local restaurant.
Outside of the classroom, Daiki ensured he spent his free time soaking up what the Sunshine Coast and Queensland has to offer with trips and excursions with the friends he made at Lexis and he has had an unforgettable 5 months here.
Let’s take a closer look at his experience and hear first-hand about his time at Lexis Noosa:
What made you want to study English?
The main purpose was to make new friends, but I also wanted to share my values with others as a Japanese person. I wanted to learn about other people and their culture and I would like them to know more about Japan too. I would like them to learn more about the difference between me and others, in terms of our values and how we communicate with other people and also to learn more about their character.
Also, it might be difficult to understand our origin and our values in Japan because everyone is Japanese, but if I go to other countries like Australia, I can easily find the difference between myself and others.
What were you doing before coming to Australia?
Before coming to Australia, I was studying at a University in Tokyo, my major is in Education and I would like to be a primary school teacher in Japan.
I’m currently a third-year student and I am on a gap year from last August to this August.
What made you choose Australia?
Actually, it’s my second time coming to Australia. Before now, I stayed in Sydney for 1 month on an international internship programme.
That was last February, so just over 1 year ago. At that time, I noticed that Australia is very beautiful and very warm in terms of the temperature, but also that the people are very warm and the people are very sure of themselves. We can easily have a conversation at the bus station, even if we don’t know each other.
Also, in my opinion, in Japan, people usually pay attention to the community or group that we are in, but in Australia each person has a different background and so I feel they respect more the personality or the individual, which is different in Japan. Before coming to Australia, I was going to go to Germany as an exchange student, it was already decided and I had passed the exam and I was in the process of going but I changed my mind and I felt that coming to Australia would be safer and much more relaxed.
When I worked in Japan I was so stressed about university or my relationship with others… It was very stressful. Everyone knows me and so it was difficult to change my behaviour suddenly. I needed to find myself, find who I am. Most of my friends from Japan, we have known each other for 12 years, from primary school. I went to a private school and so sometimes I felt I had lost myself because I decided to follow the same direction as others or follow what people expected of me.
What made you choose Lexis Noosa?
I had two reasons. The first was that in Noosa, there was a really good chance to communicate with people from all over the world.
The second was that I like the countryside, I chose Noosa and Australia due to the nature. In Noosa, there’s the national park, the river and so many beautiful beaches.
What’s the best thing about living in Noosa?
Definitely the national park and the main beach, and also the river.
I also liked having BBQ’s with my friends, swimming, chilling out and going to the Noosa Spit.
What accommodation were you in?
A homestay. My host mother was very nice to me, she cared about us and was often asking what does she need to do or what do I want to do. Sometimes, if I came back from the restaurant I was working in and it was late and raining, she would offer to drive me, so she was very kind.
Why did you decide to do Cambridge?
I always wanted to change to Cambridge from General English, this was always my plan.
I actually didn’t do the exam here, but in order to improve my English at Lexis, I checked the webpage, and it said that Cambridge was the best course, especially in Noosa. That’s why I chose here. It was much better than I expected, the Cambridge course was the best. There are additional modules, but the teachers were so great and so nice, especially their character and behaviour and how to teach English. I think Virginia and Annette are the best teachers in Lexis. For Annette, her mother tongue is German, not English and so she really understands what parts of learning English can be difficult. Also, for Virginia, she was born in Melbourne and then came to Noosa so she knows so much about Australian culture and food.
Would you give any advice to students wanting to study Cambridge?
Of course, they have to reach B2 level before starting the Cambridge course, this is the biggest priority. Also, they need to make sure they can find the additional time for studying. Outside of school, the amount of homework was much more than General English. If they spend more time studying English in FCE or the Cambridge courses I think it would be the best.
How did Lexis improve your English?
I think my speaking has improved since being here because before, I sometimes translated from Japanese to English during a conversation but now I can understand without translating. Also, my listening was a concern before coming here as Japanese people usually struggle with listening. We did lots of listening tasks in class and I had lots of conversations and it improved my listening a lot.
Did you make many friends?
Yeah, I have so many beautiful friends from General English and from the Cambridge course and they are all from different countries and their backgrounds are all so different, they are different ages and have different jobs. Everything was different but here, at Lexis, we could meet here and I think our relationship and friendship will continue for our entire life.
From Cambridge there was Claudio, Riho, Dominique, Jane, Poehere, Paran and Nicolas and from other classes there was Sifedeen, Elyne, Lorena, Jannic, Marc, Stian, Jarreth… Too many to mention everybody!
What was your highlights from studying at Lexis?
Two things, the first was of course focusing on improving my English. The course was high quality and my teachers and the staff were excellent. If I had a problem, they were sure to help me. I also liked the activities in the afternoon, whether it was beach volleyball, paddleboarding or having a BBQ.
What else did you do outside of school?
I went to Brisbane twice. The first time, with Jannic, was to explore the city and we went to a nice bar on the river. We also went to a rooftop bar. We went to North Stradbrooke Island at the south of Moreton Island and we went to this island without any plants so we explored the island and swam at the beach. We also saw kangaroos there. The second time I went to Brisbane with Nicolas but we spent a long time in Gold Coast and we went to Movie World. We went three days and two nights but we spent two whole days in Movie World. I also went to Fraser Island with Dundee Travel which was amazing. I did a surf lesson with them too. I went to the Eumundi Markets and the Cambridge class did a sunset cruise on the river which was so cool.
Was it easy to find work?
I was working at Haru Korean Kitchen. It wasn’t an easy job as the restaurant was really busy. It was easy to find work though thanks to the job workshop at Lexis. The teacher helped me make my resume, taught me how to apply for the job and find work and also showed me how to get my RSA if I wanted to find work in a bar.
How was working and studying at the same time?
It was hard, not so easy, but I worked 3 days in the week so the days I had to work were busy, I would stay at school after classes and then go to work. But the other days, I could enjoy free time with my friends. Overall there was a good balance.
What would you say to anybody thinking about studying at Lexis?
At first, for learning English or having a life in Noosa or Australia, it’s amazing. If someone wants to study here, I would really recommend talking to as many students as possible as each person has a different personality or a funny story. I’d also say they should speak English at school to improve quickly. Then they should also go outside and enjoy the nature and wildlife Australia has to offer as much as possible.
What will you do after graduating?
I will head down to Sydney and continue studying at another language school for 4 months. Here, I could really improve my English and so in Sydney, I’m going to learn about Indigenous history in Australia and art.
I’m going to travel around Australia for 3 or 4 weeks first, though. I haven’t planned anything yet, but I know for sure that I’ll come back to Noosa.
To Daiki, thank you for coming to Noosa and to Lexis and for sharing your experience with others and we wish you all the best for the future!
Not studying with us yet, but would like to?
Lexis Noosa delivers academic excellence in Australia’s most desirable study location where you can combine your studies with the great outdoors. Studying at Lexis Noosa is more than an experience, it’s a lifestyle! If you want more information on the courses that we offer, click here.
