I Want to Go Back to Japan (this time I will speak a bit less english, I promise) Past Review
By A student () for
Associated Kyoto Program: Kyoto - Doshisha University
I am definitely glad I went on this program. If not for this program I would not be applying to teach English in Japan after I graduate. I also wouldn't have had the best summer job ever this past summer.
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. |
The Japanese classes were really good which was what was really important. The other classes were mostly interesting and had very little work outside of class, which was appropriate since we should really have been spending our time experiencing Japan. Besides the work-load, the classes were not very different from American college classes since they were taught to American's and besides the Japanese professors the professors were American college professors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The one weakness was getting information on joining clubs and auditing classes at the university. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
They were very nice. The food was amazing! And my 16 year old host sister came and hung out in my room a lot, which was great language practice. But I never felt a true closeness with them. And there were some very particular rules (but I had no curfew and it was in a great location). |
| * Food: |
I have no dietary restrictions. Best food of my life. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There was a trip in the fall and one in the spring. It was a lot of fun to have everyone together and staying in a hotel since we were used to being with our host families. I missed living in a dorm a lot so it was nice to have a couple trips with that kind of atmosphere. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
So safe! I felt comfortable walking home by myself for half an hour at 4 in the morning because there were still people everywhere! Healthcare was accessible but in Japanese (but it was good practice and if you really needed help an program staff member would come help you). No vaccines needed. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke a lot of English. But we did have host families and I did manage to make some Japanese friends. I definitely used Japanese every day and my Japanese improved a lot, but I just felt that if we had had all of our classes in Japanese it would have been just that extra bit better. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program does most things for you. You don't have to worry about, housing, food, money, or transportation. But as for connecting with fellow Japanese students, you are on your own. If you continuously make an effort, you can make friends though. |
