Jam packed, and a great experience Past Review
By A student (Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 04/24/2015 to 07/31/2015 with
CIEE: Tokyo - Arts and Sciences
I learned how to make time for the things I really wanted to do in Japan and in Tokyo. I was there to study, but I didn't want that to take about from exploring the country.
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. |
You really need to spend some time choosing your classes, and find some good backups since a lot of the classes I thought would be offered were not or had conflicting time slots since there are not as many class periods per day. The work load for me was not too intense, and there was not asa much work as my home University. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at CIEE are great!! The only thing I had a problem with is that the director of the program seems to talk down to everyone, every time I spoke with her I felt I was being treated like a toddler, which I didn't appreciate since I realize that Japan is a completely different place, but I have also lived abroad completely alone for longer than I was in Japan. This is not the case for every student I know, but I heard from other students on my program as well that they had a real problem with her, and that she didn't help them out at all. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose a homestay, and it was one of the best parts of the program! :) |
| * Food: |
Excellent!! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Very safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
pretty easy, but not every week. Some weeks I spent too much and had to compensate the next week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | aprox. $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just be aware of what you are buying, as well as startup and ending costs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | 10a |
| 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? | homestay, and join school clubs |
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? |
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 knew how complicated the school system was for choosing classes and that you are really limited in what you can take, so don't bet on a class you really need to graduate. |
