Japan: So Much Fun, Just Don't Forget to Sleep Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The instructor's expectations of us differed from what the students thought they were. How things were graded was much different from how they are in America.

On-site administration of your program

The staff were very nice and fun. They told us about many fun opportunities around town and sometimes went along with us. They also knew when to let us do our own thing.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The host families were excellent, very hospitable, and had lots of food for us to try. The hotels were a great cultural experience, especially the hot springs. We lived most of the time in the Youth Center which was essentially a dorm. The location was perfect for Tokyo, right by two convenient train stations. The dollar store was close by too, so we could get all the things we needed like clotheslines and towels. There was no kitchen and the rooms were very small, but we didn't spend much time in our rooms. We tended to hang out in the big common space.

The food was very delicious. While you should use common sense to know which restaurants to go to if you have food allergies Japanese restaurants do their absolute best to accommodate food allergies and the like (even better than in America, sometimes). They also have their menus displayed outside the shop so you can decide if you want to eat there. It's best to have a card that explains your allergies in Japanese to present to the waiters.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program staff informed us of fun events to go to. They also gave us plenty of time to go and experience the city. There was always something fun to do. It can be overwhelming if you try to do everything.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Tokyo is a lot safer than many cities in the US. You can walk home in the middle of the night if you miss your last train, although it's always a good idea to go places in numbers, especially at night. Tokyo is a very clean city. When you're sick, you're expected to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Sometimes you would encounter someone who could speak English or a broken version of it and you can definitely get by on English and body language if you need to, but no matter where you go you can always use Japanese and it definitely helps to do so.

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• Other
• Hotel
• Host Family

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• Host Family
• International Students
• Americans