Learning Japanese in Kyoto Past Review
By tufts611 (International Relations and Japanese, Tufts University) for
Columbia University: Kyoto - Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies / KCJS
Yes I found it very worthwhile. My language ability improved dramatically and I gained an understanding of the local culture that would have been impossible had I not gone to Japan. It also gave me a new outlook and forced me to challenge myself by having to use Japanese even when I wasn't fully confident to do so.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Kyoto University |
| The term and year this program took place: | Full-Year 2008 |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The foreign languages courses were rigorous, while the elective classes were less challenging than courses at my home school. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
In general the administration was helpful, but they didn't respond well to student feedback and concerns. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The homestay was an invaluable part of my experience and allowed me to improve my language ability to the degree that I did. <br /><br /> My host family was great but the location was fairly far away from the school. |
| * Food: |
My host family was very eager to encourage me to try new foods and was receptive to the kinds of foods that I did and did not like. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The group organized trips were very interesting and gave me opportunities to go to places I would have been unlikely to go to by myself. Because Kyoto has a long history, there are a lot of interesting attractions that allowed me to see new sites within the city throughout the year. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
At no time did I ever feel as though I was in danger during my time in Japan. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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? | Because I usually ate with my host family and the program subsidized transportation and some meals, I spent on average about $100 a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The fluctuating exchange rate had a major effect on how much everything cost and I would recommend making any travel plans during breaks well in advance. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Especially during the second semester, I became very comfortable interacting with native Japanese speakers. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would recommend choosing the homestay option because most participants who selected it found it very rewarding. Also I would recommend getting involved in activities in the larger community early because it is harder to do the longer you wait. |
