6 international students complete SU English Orientation Program
Six international students from Korea, Myanmar, Japan, and China completed the English Orientation Program (EOP) of the Silliman University (SU) Department of English and Literature during a closing ceremony held October 7, 2026.
The completers were Yuka Hirai, Hung Lung Bom Sau, Eunbi Lee, Fangyuan Luo, Rina Shimada, and Enle Zhang, who underwent four months of intensive English language instruction designed to strengthen their communication skills and prepare them for further academic pursuits.
In her message on behalf of the completers, Shimada expressed gratitude to their teachers and classmates for making their stay in Dumaguete a memorable learning experience.
She recalled the friendships they formed and the encouragement they received throughout the program, describing their time at Silliman as an experience that extended beyond the classroom.
“Every single day we spent here is full of happiness and warmth,” Shimada said, adding that the knowledge they gained and the friendships they built would remain among their cherished memories.
Luo, another completer, reflected on the uncertainty he initially felt upon arriving in the Philippines, particularly about communicating in English and adjusting to a new environment.
He shared how the program helped him gain confidence, develop friendships with students from different cultural backgrounds, and appreciate the value of intercultural learning.
“You didn’t just teach us English. You taught us how to communicate, express ourselves, and have confidence in ourselves,” Luo told their teachers.
He also noted that most of the completers would continue their studies at Silliman, making the ceremony not so much a farewell as the beginning of another chapter in their academic journey.
Faculty members Asst. Prof. Juliet V. Padernal, Asst. Prof. Jennifer Eve A. Solitana, Asst. Prof. Deo Mar E. Suasin, Asst. Prof. Ronelaine B. Picardal, and Ms. Kaycee L. Melon congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue developing their language proficiency.
The teachers emphasized the importance of perseverance in language learning and reminded the completers to recognize how much they had progressed since beginning the program.
Dr. Mae Brigitt Bernadel L. Villordon, officer-in-charge director of the Internationalization Office, likewise congratulated the students for acquiring the knowledge and communication skills necessary for their academic and personal development.
Villordon also highlighted the cultural dimension of their experience, noting that their stay at Silliman provided opportunities not only to learn English but also to immerse themselves in Filipino culture.
The ceremony was also attended by the Language Buddies, who joined the students in celebrating the completion of the program, and Dr. Warlito S. Caturay Jr., chief of the Office of Media and Public Affairs.
About the English Orientation Program
The EOP is a 21-unit intensive English language course offered by the Department of English and Literature every semester. It is designed primarily for students from non-English-medium educational backgrounds who wish to improve their English language proficiency for academic and other purposes.
The next batch of the program will open on November 3, 2026.
For inquiries, interested applicants may email the EOP Secretariat at [email protected] or contact the Department of English and Literature at (035) 420-6002, local 350.
