From No English to Waseda University

“My Teacher Said It Would Be a Great Challenge”

Ken was twelve years old when he arrived in Australia from Saitama. He spoke no English at all — in fact, his teacher emailed his parents to warn them that studying in Australia would be a great challenge for him.

Under the guidance of his teachers at John Paul International College, Ken improved his English remarkably fast. He credits the small class sizes, and being taught every subject in English rather than in his own language, as especially powerful. “My teachers were strict at times,” he recalls, “but they genuinely cared about my progression and success.”

After just nine months, Ken graduated from the International College into the main school at John Paul College.

“I literally spoke no English. Under my teachers’ guidance, I improved very fast.”

Ken Kondo · on his first year at JPIC

From Homestay Family to Boarding Village

Ken was fortunate to experience both living with a homestay family and, later, life in the boarding village — each shaping the independent young man he became.

His homestay families were unfailingly kind and always helped with his studies. He still remembers reading kindergarten books with his homestay father every night to build his English when he first arrived. Living away from home meant learning to make his own decisions — and to take responsibility for the outcomes.

In Year 10 he chose to become a boarder, and academically he flourished. The daily study times built great habits, and the boarders and staff became a second family. “You certainly learn how to work and live co-operatively as a boarder,” he says.

“I still remember reading kindergarten books with my homestay father every night.”