Whoa, Wait, What? I'm Actually In Japan! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

If you like a challenge, this program offers a "No English" pledge in addition to immersion, small class excursions to do every day things like order tickets, relatively quick-paced lessons, and a public presentation, also in Japanese at the end of the quarter.

On-site administration of your program

The staff were always very kind and willing to listen if you had any questions or concerns.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

While my own accommodations were very comfortable, the level of quality and space were not uniform between apartments. Lavianne was more spacious, modern, and clean than Arabasque apartment.

Osaka is a wonderful hub of delicious food. Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, oden, all sorts of delicious treats which you could buy relatively cheaply from the convenience store, are only a few things that you can enjoy out there. Additionally, during my program, the roommates often invited students out on the weekends to try other kinds of food like barbecue and hotpot, and that still won't cover all the different kinds of snacks and the like that you could try out there if you explore.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Until I start talking, I can pass as a Japanese person. After the program, I definitely improved enough to the point that even though I still did not have keen listening/vocabulary comprehension, I knew enough Japanese to get my point across to the other person.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program has you enrolled into GeoBlue insurance, which will alert their members of national crisis as well as pay for some of your clinic bills if you need a doctor.

Even though there were reports of sexual harassment from Japanese men, Japan is definitely one of the safest places I've ever seen. The program also took as much precaution as they could, sending texts to students if there's unusual activity, emergency contacts, what to do in a crisis and how to keep yourself as safe as possible. I felt pretty safe walking home at night, and even saw children playing outside without adult supervision as the sun was setting, something that wouldn't happen in my home city.

I want to get to know the people on the program more and there's so many things that I didn't get to try. It was all a learning experience completely out of my comfort zone that has changed my perspective and my personality.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was able to survive on about $15 a day, though I usually didn't go out and spend any money for at least one day of the week to help cover any overspending I might have done. You will splurge occasionally on eating out with roommates, but surviving on convenience store foods wasn't an unpleasant experience.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

CET really wants you to take the Japanese component seriously. They had everyone pledge a "No English" vow on a kanji dictionary, and would have reprimands that would increase in severity every time you were caught breaking it. Additionally, they also had individual lessons where you practiced and learned with a teacher one-on-one, club activities, and additional kanji lessons if you want even more Japanese practice.

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• Apartment

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• Local Students
• International Students

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• International Students

• There's no question, the food.
• The schedule lays out exactly what's going to happen
• There's a safety net so I can safely explore

• Selection process of roommates
• More exposure to Japanese local/common culture
• Gentler transitions from travel/shock

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer