Japan: an abundance of first times and travels. Past Review
By A student (Chemistry., Austin College) - abroad from 08/28/2012 to 12/16/2012 with
IES Abroad: Tokyo - Language & Culture
The biggest thing I gained from this program is independence in a foreign country. It's intimidating at first when you are wondering about a country and not understand what people are saying around you. However, you learn how to get around independently and develop basic conversation with individuals. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. It's a wonderful opportunity to build great relationships, travel to new places, and try new things. I will never forget my friends and host family from Japan. I hope that I will be able to see them again. I've visited cities like Kyoto and Osaka before studying abroad, so I was able to visit less commonly visited places such as Kanazawa, Nikko, and Yamanashi. It's nice to get out of the city of Tokyo to experience because each different region in Japan offers unique culture. For example, Yamanashi is an area known for growing grapes and Kanazawa is known for it's gold leaf crafts.
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. |
The languages courses for the Society and Culture program are structured for improving one's conversation skills. If you are interested in learning more grammar, vocabulary, etc, you should sign up for the Language Intensive program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES staff are kind and always willing to help. They helped me mail a package to the states and helped me find some good places to visit in Japan. They've also helped other students with other needs, such as going to a doctor with them. If you ever have any concerns, just ask! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a home stay. The family was very kind and invited me to go along with them on some of their activities. For example, I watched one of my youngest host sister's basketball games, gone to karaoke with the two older siblings, and saw a fireworks competition with the entire family. They've helped me with my Japanese homework and in return, I helped them with their English homework. |
| * Food: |
For forewarning, breakfast foods are not necessarily common in Japan. Breakfasts are more like lunches or dinners. Some things I've eaten for breakfast included fish and rice, udon, or chicken. Occasionally, my host mom would make some breakfast foods like pancakes or eggs and bacon. In terms of food in general, try and taste everything. There are some interesting food items that you can only find in Japan and you might just like it, even though it may appear strange. Also, enjoy one last American (or wherever you are from) meal because you won't find it in Japan. Japan likes to make strange twists to their food. Sure, they have things like pizza, but it is common to include untypical ingredients like corn or even weirder Japanese curry! One final note, it is very rare that you can make adjustments or exchanges when you order food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family definitely helps you integrate into the culture. They really help improve your conversation skills and can offer great suggestions on things to visit, food to try, etc. Students at Kanda University are very friendly and will often walk up to speak to you in the SALC (it's a library like area to help Japanese students learn English.) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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 exchange rate at the time was not very good. The biggest expense in Japan is traveling by train. Monthly train passes between your home and school stations are available with a student discount, but it will still take a good chunk out of your wallet. Luckily, you can get off at any stop between your home and school stations without any additional cost. If you live one or maybe two train stations away from school, it is cheaper and more efficient to invest in a bike (I lived one stop away. A bike ride took me about 15 minutes and walking took about 30 minutes to get to school. Including the time to walk to and from the train station, it took about 25 minutes). If you're lucky, your host family may even lend you a bike. With a bike, you can easily access stores, restaurants, etc in your area. It's definitely nice to get home a little quicker when the weather cools off. What's great about IES is that you will get travel reimbursement if you have to travel for a field trip through your class (this does not include the monthly pass commuting to school). Classes travel to Tokyo about two or three times to visit museums or events relating to the material in the course. If you decide to take the field placement course (it's like an internship program), you will get reimbursed for travel to and from your field placement site. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | food: 2000-3000 yen/week; train: 1000 yen/week; personal: 5,000 yen/week (I traveled a lot and purchased a lot of souvenirs so you can easily get by with less than 5000 yen/week) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring a water bottle that includes a filter. I've heard from students who lived in dorms that it wasn't worth getting meal plans. They said they could eat out for about the same amount of money. There is also kitchen access, so you could save even more if you choose to cook. 100 yen stores are good places to get decent quality items for cheap. You'll save a little money shopping for snacks, drinks, etc at a shopping mall than a combini (Japanese convenient stores that are EVERYWHERE). Ask IES for help finding some part time jobs. It's very common to find something relating to 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Speak to your host family and make Japanese friends. You might be shy about not being able to speak well, but just do it. You'll get over it and improve quickly. |
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? | I wish I knew that the Society and Culture's Japanese courses are conversation based. If you are a beginner and/or just want to develop conversation skills during your stay, this is a good program for you. The Language Intensive program is good if you want to learn the grammar, vocabulary, etc. Summers are insanely hot. The suggested packing list for fall does not include enough summer clothing. Pack enough that will get you by for about a month. Also, winters are not that bad. I was fine with a sweater and a jacket. Unless you plan on going to Fuji, you don't really need a really warm down jacket. Speaking of Fuji, when I looked up some websites about the huts to stay in on the mountain, many of them say that they are closed shortly after your arrival in the program. This isn't neccessarily true. I went about a week or two after the supposedly "closed" date, but huts and some shops (insanely expensive, so pack plenty of supplies and snacks) were still open. For the huts, I don't think walk-ins are commonly accepted because they are usually full. If you plan on staying in a hut, the IES staff may be able to help you. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
