As part of my preparation for a working holiday in Denmark, I decided to do a two-country study abroad program in the Philippines based on a recommendation from my agent. When I considered the minimum English skills necessary to live in Denmark, I realized that since I could only work for six months during my working holiday there and costs would be high, choosing the Philippines allowed me to study abroad while keeping travel and tuition expenses relatively affordable.
The biggest reason I chose Baguio among places in the Philippines was the climate. Since I would be going to a cold region right after studying in the Philippines, it was very appealing to stay in an area with minimal temperature differences. Additionally, Baguio’s relatively good safety and the fact that people who choose Baguio tend to be more focused on studying rather than just vacationing were also important factors for me.
I chose WALES because it was highly recommended by my agent, and their reasons matched what I was looking for. The key deciding factor for me was the school’s strong sense of psychological safety. When I actually arrived, there was no gap between expectation and reality. Having Japanese staff on-site gave me a great sense of security, and since the total number of students is relatively small, the staff really know each student well and genuinely care about them. Both teachers and students also tend to know one another, creating an environment where you can always pass by someone with a smile and a greeting, which I thought was wonderful.
The student body tends to be a bit older, with many independent adults who chose their study abroad destination on their own. This created a respectful and supportive environment where everyone helps each other both in their studies and daily life. Additionally, I had heard that the number of Japanese students would be low, and for most of my stay, that was true. Being in an environment where I had no choice but to speak English was a huge factor in improving my language skills.
After actually spending time there, I found WALES’ location to be a major advantage. About a 15-minute walk away, there’s a large mall and a public market. The mall feels similar to a big Aeon mall in Japan—not exactly cheap, but a place where you can shop with confidence. You can find most daily necessities there, so although I brought many things with me, I realized I could have gotten a lot of what I needed right there.
Regarding the school meals, they tend to have a strong influence from Korean and Japanese cuisine. Many students around me brought miso soup or tea because they missed Japanese food and drinks. However, miso soup was served fairly regularly, and the tea provided—Bori-cha—is similar to barley tea and quite drinkable, so many ended up not needing their own and just left it behind when they left.
While there might be some personal preferences and dislikes, overall the meals were clean and tasty enough that I didn’t have any issues with daily life. On weekends, meal tickets are required separately, which I think is a great initiative to reduce food waste. However, because there is a deadline to submit the ticket requests, some people who overslept or went out during the day missed the deadline. I wish there was an online survey or questionnaire format where we could easily indicate whether we wanted meals or not.
Although the building itself wasn’t new, with housekeeping twice a week, the rooms were thoroughly cleaned from corner to corner, allowing me to live in a clean environment. I was also happy that my laundry always came back fluffy and neatly folded. Being free from worries about basic daily needs like food, laundry, and living conditions allowed me to fully focus on my studies.
I stayed in a six-person condominium-style unit with a two-person bedroom. Thanks to my wonderful roommates, I had plenty of opportunities to speak English even at home. We often went out together, explored various places, and had a lot of fun. It was fascinating to experience cultural differences by living with friends from different countries. When my roommates and classmates left, I even cried more than I expected—I had made truly important friends! I’m really glad I chose a shared room.
The teachers were kind and created a relaxed environment where it was okay to make mistakes, so I could study without feeling awkward or pressured. Because of that, I really improved my ability to speak English. What I liked most was that there were many one-on-one lessons. Not only could I focus on studying without worrying about others, but I also had daily 45-minute sessions with the same teacher throughout the program. They helped break the ice each day, which gave me a chance to practice building relationships in English. This was a big help in improving my speaking and communication skills.
Finally, I think the love in this message comes through clearly, but for anyone who wants to learn English at their own pace in a psychologically safe environment, I highly recommend WALES in Baguio! Of course, the studying is great, but the climate is wonderful too. Being in the mountains means there’s lots of nature around, and there are many warm, cheerful, and kind people there. The fruits are cheap and delicious, and there are plenty of places to explore. I believe everyone can enjoy a study abroad experience that perfectly fits their own goals.
It’s an environment where you can try anything without hesitation, so I hope you’ll give it your all and enjoy everything to the fullest!!
