The friends made along the way January 29, 2026
By Matthew C (Biochemistry, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/27/2025 to 12/12/2025 with
CET Japan
I learned a lot about Japanese culture and people, and I made lasting friendships that I am still continuing today.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading was tough and the art classes were late at night, but overall, I learned a lot of Japanese and art skills. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great staff! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The sharehouses are very fun if you try to get to know the other international and Japanese students living with you! |
| * Food: |
The food is great and cheaper than the United States! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel like CET tries their best, but social and cultural integration is very difficult to achieve since Japanese and American culture are very different. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was a great time getting to know everyone, travelling with them, and having house parties together. |
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) |
Eating out every day can add up quickly, $4-6 an average meal for local places, $9-11 for more touristy places. If you get sushi or kobe beef in toursity places, it can cost up to $20-40. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think looking for more local restaurants will help. |
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 |
CET does a great job of enforcing Japanese only at the school. |
| 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 (four semesters) |
| 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 be intimidated to speak with the Japanese students, and try to focus on slang and vocab if your goal is to talk with Japanese students. |
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? | I think learning is part of the experience, but I should've tried to hang out with my housemates more at the beginning of the semester. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
