best damn experience of my life Past Review
By Kayden I (psychology, communicology, sociology, University of Hawaii - Manoa) - abroad from 06/18/2012 to 08/04/2012 with
Akita International University: Akita (Intensive Japanese Summer Program) - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
totally worthwhile....not going to spoil anything else....just GO!!!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
it was a pretty intense course because I took a higher level than I was suppose to. I took 1 year of japanese, and I got placed into J320 (which is 3rd year) so I had some catching up to do, but the professor was very helpful, and she helped me and a few other students catch up for the class. Overall, it was well worth it, since my japanese reading, speaking, and writing increased dramatically in just those few 6 weeks. Also there were so many ways to improve (from just talking to the japanese students there, or studying in the library, or watching anime and going into the city and asking for direction) that it is impossible not to go from a pure beginner to speaking japanese casually with a couple of friends in a matter of weeks. I highly recommend going to this school and taking the summer program. On top of classes, we also had a ton of culture activities and field trips to get a better cultural perception of Japan. For the amount I paid...it was well worth every penny. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great place....if you love nature and the woods. Literally, AIU is surrounded by woods and nature. It is so close that bears have been SIGHTED near campus!!! But the fresh air, peaceful environment, and busy college students make it an awesome place to learn about Japan and make new friends. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
it was a typical dorm room with a bunkbed, a desk, a closet, and a shared bath with 2 other students. Of course you are put in a room with a Japanese student. The housing was good, except for the fact that in Komachi hall, you could not be in the opposite sex's dorm room after 10pm....which sucked. But in Global Village (apt's) that rule did not apply. |
| * Food: |
cafeteria food was awful....they tried to appeal to everyone's taste internationally by cooking different "ethnic cuisines" but it just is terrible. If i did not already pay for the meal plan....i would have eaten out or somewhere else. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
although it was in a remote area of japan where we got to experience talking to Japanese college students, and interacting with the locals there, it was an international school....meaning that there were a lot of students who could speak English....so it did not feel like a full immersion. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Great! My roommate got sick for a whole week, and I helped him get stuff from the nurses office. She could not speak English very well (which was good practice for me), but she was super nice and helpful! She even gave me a cookie and we made origami one time when I went to visit. |
| * Safety: |
No accidents or anything. super safe....just stay away from the woods if you hear a bear warning being announced. |
| 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 cheap....enough said |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | if you go travel to Japan after your stay like I did (i went to tokyo), make sure to have at least $1000 at the end of your stay. |
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 |
everyday, we had to speak and interact with japanese students |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | japanese 102 |
| 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? | make friends with as much japanese students as you can and practice with them. it helped a lot. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 10+ |
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 :P |
