The Suit-a Life in Osaka, Japan June 06, 2023
By Isabelle S (Japanese Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/16/2023 to 05/15/2023 with
CET Japan
I learned new perspectives, and lifestyles, met people for life, and grew as an individual. It was definitely worth it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although the Japanese intensive class was quite intense, it is quite doable. Just trust the process, participate, and stay on top of your work. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very supportive, kind, and interesting. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My housing was a single room consisting of my own bathroom and a kitchen unit that consisted of a mini fridge, sink, hot plate, and cabinets. I shared another fridge and the washing machine with 2 housemates on the same floor. My room came fully furnished from bed sheets to hangers to pots and pans to cleaning supplies. I was also lucky enough to be only a 7-minute walk from our university: Osaka Gakuin University. |
| * Food: |
Food in Japan is amazing, but we had no meal plan. I often cooked or ate out. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There is a huge learning curve to "integration" however, as long as you show respect and try to learn the customs in Japan, eventually it will become natural. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I used the geo blue app to talk to telehealth doctors when I wasn't feeling well, however, I didn't know how to see a doctor in person. |
| * Safety: |
Osaka is very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Although I wish I had more breaks, it was very fulfilling and I wouldn't have it any other way. |
Finances
|
* 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) |
Transportation can add up very easily and often I took weekend trips or after-school trips that easily added up to $40 a week. I also bought groceries weekly, went out to eat, and went out on weekends. I think one could budget better than I did, but I definitely went over $100/week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend all your money the first month you're there, try to set a weekly budget and calculate transportation costs. Also take the cheapest transportation routes, even if it takes a little more time. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We had a language pledge so we were required to use Japanese. |
| 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? | Intermediate Japanese 30a |
| 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? | Talk to Japanese people. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I brought fewer clothes. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Religious Identity in Modern Japan |
| Course Department: | International School |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course had many reports regarding lectures and field trips, but as long as you participate and show up, the assignments are very doable. We had 5 official field trips: a rice planting ceremony at a Shinto shrine, making magatama necklaces and visiting a kofun (burial mound), attending the Sagicho festival in Shiga, Japan, visiting the National Museum of Ethnography and an Orthodox church/Buddhist temple visit in Kyoto, Japan. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable in Japanese history, religion and mythology. She was very clear with her lessons, gave us notes to follow along and allowed us to hold open discussions. Our final presentation was open to our own interests related to Japanese religion, and she encouraged us to critically think about all our lessons. This class exposed me to parts of Japanese culture that are not typical tourist attractions and often encouraged us to interact with many locals. I highly recommend taking a class with this instructor! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
