-My Life in Winnipeg-

Hello.

Today, I'm going to write my life in Winnipeg in Canada.

Since last April, I've been stayed in Winnipeg in Canada, for studying English. I've been studied in Intensive English Program; in shorten form IEP that is one of English learning programs of University of Manitoba.

My day starts from taking a bus, because the transportations to get to school are just bus or car. I don't have car license, so there is just one choice. The classes usually start from 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On the other weekdays, it starts from 9:00 a.m. All classes are 50 minutes, and we have two or three classes in morning and two or three in afternoon. The classes are usually over around 3:20 p.m. In the classes, basically, we learn writing, reading and speaking. The curriculum depends on the level.

After classes are over, there are two choices to go back home or go somewhere with friends. The big shopping mall is located in middle way of my home stay house and school, so on the way to go back home, I can go to the mall with my friends who use same bus or who want go to the mall together. If I don't have much homework, I go shopping at there or go to eat supper with my friends. Every night, after I eat my supper, I make my lunch for next day. Before I go to bed I check my e mail, Facebook and Skype. I usually use my laptop listening English music because it can improve my listening skill.

On every Thursday, IEP has an activity that called conversation cafe. We have conversation eating cookies or drinking juice. The classes are separated by level, so this activity is one of chances to get know many students over classes.

Friday is the day that we are looking forward. IEP usually has activities on every Friday. There are activity leaders who make the plan of activities and support them. We can go to Karaoke, Bowling and so on... It is really good chance, because we can make friends over classes and we can enjoy Winnipeg. The school bus pick us up to the place, so we don't need to know the exactly place, and we also don't need to spend money for transportation.

I changed to homestay from residence in September. Living in residence was not too bad, I could go to school by walking and I didn’t need to buy bus pass. I could sleep anytime, I could wake up whenever I want, but there was a big problem. In my residence there were my Japanese friends so I used Japanese when I talked with them. At lunch time I needed to go back to residence to eat lunch, even though my class mates invite me to eat together. I have no regret about changing to homestay. After I changed to homestay, I was homesick. Almost of my friends went back to their home country. There were many new students. At that time, I was full of worries. Because of the experience, I started to think about the importance of meeting with people. Winnipeg is the place that many people come and leave. Same times as meetings we have parts, so I want to cherish every single meeting. Someday, I want to visit my friends’ place, Winnipeg as well. I’ll enjoy my rest Winnipeg life to not regret and improve my English. For the day, I need to keep and improve my English skill, even after I go back to Japan.

When I’ll visit Winnipeg, I’ll speak frequently, so see it :)

-Diana-