Life-Changing Experience Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Western Washington University) - abroad from 07/19/2012 to 08/15/2012 with
CIEE: Tokyo - Summer Japanese Studies
I was an incredible experience. I learned a lot about myself, through making new friends and trying new things. I was also able to improve my language skills, which was one of my goals. I would recommend studying abroad to everyone, it was an eye-opening experience that has changed my life for the better!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE was very well organized, and the program director, Shannon Quinn, was amazing! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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
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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) |
Tokyo is a very expensive city, particularly since with the current exchange rate from dollars to yen. However, the program gave me a realistic expectation of how much I would probably spend so that was very helpful. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $400 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You can save more by just being more aware and keeping track of how much you're spending, which I didn't really do. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Japanese 203 |
| 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 afraid to talk to locals! Even if you mess up, they will generally be very nice about it, and that's the best way to improve! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 have no regrets about my experience, there is nothing I would change. |
