Incredible Past Review
By A student (Philosophy., Millsaps College) - abroad from 08/24/2012 to 08/20/2013 with
Akita International University: Akita - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Absolutely worthwhile. What I learned is mostly covered in a previous section on this form, but i learned a lot of japan, about people, about myself, and probably more.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It is difficult to separate the academic and the social experiences I had while abroad. The social was influence by the courses and the courses drew on the dynamic of the students, specifically those international students and their relationship with the country and its people. I took a few courses that were structured around the dialectic of converging cultures, and the time spent outside of class, that is, within the culture being studied, was usually more informative than the actual coursework. From a purely academic perspective, the courses were easier than those of Millsaps, primarily because of the nature of the international school, where non-native speakers participate in the same classes as natives. The quantity of material covered was sacrificed for the quality of comprehension. The resources, however, bested those of Millsaps, especially the 24 hour library whose architecture is widely admired in northern japan. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was incredibly kind though the language barrier did complicate a few issues. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was average. |
| * Food: |
Cafeteria food was average though it was not required. Cooking was cheaper and a better way to get to know the culture. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My time abroad was the most instructive time I've had in college, primarily instructive in my study of the negotiations of cultural norms, which, almost by necessity, was influential both socially and academically. The social structure of studying abroad (and alone) is itself most responsible for meaningful education. Self-reflection, including cultural reflection, religious reflection, etc., is necessitated by the encounter with the foreign. The negotiation of normality will, I believe, usually end in the perspective of cultural relativity. It's easy to imagine the practicality of having such an experience for the future, but just the internal shift in perspective is pleasurable in itself. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare seemed easily accessible though I never had to use it. |
| * Safety: |
Incredibly safe. Except the occasional bear. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Japan is quite expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80 bucks cooking. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The Japanese students wanted to learn English as much as international students wanted to learn Japanese. English usually won. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 0 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | get a roommate, boyfriend or girlfriend who is foreign and whose English isn't great. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Nothing really. I didn't want to know much before I went. And I was ore than pleased with all the learning that was necessary there. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
