An Unforgettable Experience Past Review

By (English Language and Literature, Villanova University) - abroad from 06/03/2017 to 07/19/2017 with

IES Abroad: Nagoya Direct Enrollment Summer – Language & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a sense of independence that I'd never thought possible before. I can now see myself living alone in a foreign country for an extended period of time. It was definitely worthwhile.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Nagoya Summer - Language & Culture Photo IES Abroad: Nagoya Summer - Language & Culture Photo

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.

As far as academics go, Nanzan University provided a rigorous and highly beneficial language learning environment. We had classes 5 days a week, around 3 hours a day with a 15-minute break in between, and then homework on a daily basis. What I loved about Nanzan was that they provide so many opportunities for international students to interact with Japanese students, both inside and outside of the classroom. Every Friday, our sensei would invite Japanese students to our class and we would start off the class by having conversations with them for 20-minutes. There were also daily events such as the Japan Plaza where you could go and get homework help or just informally converse in Japanese, and other frequent events such as Coffee Hour where you could converse and play games with Japanese students.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The minute my plane touched down in Nagoya, two IES staff members greeted me in the airport. This was such a relief for me, as I had never been in a foreign country before--let alone one where the native language isn't English! The staff members were so polite and helped me and two of my fellow participants to the hotel that we'd be staying in for the weekend. On the train ride there, we introduced ourselves and talked about various aspects of American and Japanese culture (in a mix of Japanese and English) and just our initial reactions at being in Japan. It was comforting to have them there with me, and they assuaged any lingering fears or worries that I had about being in a country so far from home.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I highly recommend staying in the International Student Dormitories. For the girls dorm, you’re guaranteed one Japanese roommate, plus up to 2 other roommates from anywhere in the world! The dorms are more like 4-bedroom apartments with a shared bathroom area, kitchen area, and common area. The guys dorms are single rooms, but there is still at least one Japanese student on each floor, so you won’t lose the opportunity to converse with native Japanese speakers, even when you’re settled in for the night.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't need to use a doctor or hospital while I was abroad, but a friend of mine did and she was surprised at how efficient going to the doctor was in Japan.

* Safety:

I felt extremely safe in Nagoya. There were nights that I walked around alone, that I couldn't imagine doing in my home city, and I felt completely at ease.

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? Grocery shopping every week cost about $35 (I focused on buying materials that I could make several meals out of). Combined with purchasing souvenirs and nights out with friends, I'd say that I spent around roughly $80-$100 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? As I did, focus on buying foods that can be made into several meals. I would buy large packs of meat on discount, divide it into portions, and freeze what I wasn't sure I would eat immediately. Try to buy fish on discount days when they're about to expire.

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? Beginner
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? Intermediate Japanese II, but I felt like my conversational skills were only at a beginner level.
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? Resist the urge to revert to your native language when you don't know how to say something in the language you're studying. Rewording, even using broken language is better than reverting back to your native language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • field trips
  • support system
  • diversity
* What could be improved?
  • length of the program (too short)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You don't need to pack the rain boots!! Japan is going through a rainy season in the summer, but an umbrella will suffice.

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 Adventurer
The 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.