An Unforgettable and Amazing Experience Past Review
By A student (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 09/05/2017 to 12/23/2017 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Kyoto - Semester in Japan
I gained a better understanding of the Japanese culture and language and just how beautiful they are. It was definitely worthwhile!
Review Photos
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.  | 
 
  | 
| 
 * Host Country Program Administration
 On-site administration of your program  | 
 
  | 
| 
 * Housing:
 How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?  | 
 
  | 
| * Food: | 
 
  | 
| 
 * Social & Cultural Integration:
 How integrated did you feel with the local culture?  | 
 
  | 
| 
 * Health Care:
 How well were health issues addressed during the program?  | 
 It was pretty difficult to find English speaking doctors. You can't use your international health insurance there even if you had purchased it beforehand. We all had to pay for a local health insurance, which was fortunately cheap.  | 
| * Safety: | 
 
  | 
| 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)  | 
 
  | 
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 | 
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Walk as much as possible, which isn't difficult because everything is conveniently close-by. Buy a day bus pass if you're going to ride the bus 3+ times. Sometimes it can be cheaper to eat out than to cook at home. | 
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  | 
 All classes were taught in Japanese and the students were expected to respond in 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? | Beginner | 
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2B | 
| 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? | Make Japanese friends! There are many clubs at the school where you can speak with Japanese students. | 
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? | How long the classes would be | 
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 LinguistYou 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! |