Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

So much work, but the rest was fun September 01, 2025

By (Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/09/2025 to 08/11/2025 with

CET Japan

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to live in another culture and see some really cool places. Not sure if it was worth the homework.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

VERY intense, almost too intense. Good if you like rigor & 24/7 homework; less good otherwise. Resources were very good

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program director is one of the nicest people I've met

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Rooms are small but bigger than most dorms. You even get your own sink. Only downside is no proper desk.

* Food:

Aside from field trips and a few program events, you are expected to purchase your own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everyone can tell you're a foreigner just by looking at you, but I was able to communicate with the locals mostly naturally

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There is free medical care provided both on-campus and through doctors' offices. The program staff are encouraging and respectful about staying home while sick

* Safety:

Japan as a country is VERY safe. Only incident was a student getting groped at a bar.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I was honestly required by my parents to go, so I would have been busy either way. I woke up most days wishing I didn't have to, but at least I got to be in Japan and get some credits.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You can buy many things second-hand for cheap at BOOK OFF!

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 were required to sign a document promising we would only speak Japanese for the entirety of the 2-month program. However, not everyone followed and it was minimally enforced outside of class.

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 40
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? Don't cheat your contract. You ruin it for everyone else.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Class & program fieldtrips
  • Japan's infrastructure (trains etc)
  • People I met there
* What could be improved?
  • Class was boring & repetitive
  • Very stressful
  • Too busy to explore Japan
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The workload. There's 4 hours of class a day and you actually have to study an hour at home for every hour of class.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!