Learning something new in an old city Past Review
By Xinru L (Political Science, Economics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/10/2013 to 04/20/2013 with
Columbia University: Kyoto - Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies / KCJS
A close looking about Japanese history and Japanese universities. Also, I achieve some improvement in Japanese and wanted to keep studying it in the future.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with host family is better than living in a dorm for me. Even though you will lose some freedom and have no idea what kind family you are going to live with, it is a good chance to speck Japanese and understand Japanese people. At least somebody cooks for me. |
| * Food: |
You can always enjoy fresh and yummy food in Kyoto. Sushi, Tenpura, cakes, and different flavors kitkat... I will always miss the food I had there. Two things I need to mention: you need cash to buy food and while you are enjoying the confectionery, think about your weight. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt I was quite fit in with local culture. Japanese people thought I was a Japanese sometimes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a wisdom teeth problem so my teacher help me to find a dentist nearby. I went there for three times for only 20 dollars because of the national insurance. |
| * Safety: |
Totally safe unless you ride a bike or drink too much or do both at the same time. |
| 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) |
The price in Kyoto is higher compare to other cities in Japan. I spent most of the money on transportation, food and traveling. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | riding a bike saves a lot. Finding a part time job like teaching english. |
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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Japanese 105 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | The weather is very humid and cold in the spring. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
