Being a Gaijin is Not as Bad as It Seems Past Review
By A student (Linguistics., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/08/2012 to 06/12/2012 with
Brigham Young University: Traveling - Japan Study Abroad
That the Japanese people are truly wonderful, and I'd like to go back some day through the JET Programme. It was the most worthwhile academic pursuit I have ever done.
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. |
The classes were disorganized for legitimate reasons. I was there to learn from the people and the culture, and so I felt fulfilled. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host families were great. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
But unfortunately we'll never be Japanese. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The program and areas were very safe. |
| 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) |
I was very much under my budget. |
| * 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? | Each week? Maybe $50? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Set a budget for your trip and stick to it. Don't be unreasonable about your situation. |
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 |
Some of the other students were disappointingly lothe to speak Japanese. Their loss. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | JAPAN 202 |
| 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 kanji cards. |
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? | That I should have brought my DS to play Pokemon, because I went to the Pokemon Center store and it made all my dreams come true. |
