A crash course in all things Japan Past Review
By Tatianna Banci (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/04/2016 to 05/22/2016 with
IES Abroad: Nagoya Direct Enrollment - Nanzan University
This was probably the most worthwhile decision of my life. I got to experience a different country, make new friends, and gain a better appreciation for my own home country.
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? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES Abroad Nagoya took its international students on many fantastic trips around Japan. The staff we met in Japan was very helpful with any problems we had and at explain cultural things that we may have not understood. The university that we were enrolled in had varied levels of Japanese, and a good diversity of other courses to take. |
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? | $30-$70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget at the beginning of the program. It will really help you not become crazy poor. |
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 |
|
| 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? | Advanced Intermediate Japanese (105a) |
| 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? | Even if you hang out mostly with other international students, try to speak the language that you are all trying to learn, not just defaulting to English. And try to order off the menus in the native language of the country, not the English ones they may or may not provide. |
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? | Don't expect that classes will be taught in the same way that they are taught back home. Education is not the same everywhere. |
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! |
