Studies in Japan: Experiencing intercultural exchange has bettered me as a person. Past Review
By Sam C (Media And Cultural Studies, University of California - Riverside) for
International Christian University: Tokyo - Direct Enrollment and Exchange
I came to learn a great deal about myself, I can be thrown into a strange and different world and make it on my own. I can develop new friends, I can learn to love new things, I can find new experiences. Through this program I learned that I am an international being, capable of understanding more than just the goals of one country. How to better the world as a whole. This experience drives me to attempt to establish a more cohesive sense of world-beings as opposed to country-beings. I don't want to be an American, I want to be an Earthican.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was more than I was expecting. However; it was not unreasonable. They only expected as much as we could achieve. It was enough to push me to succeed where I otherwise would not. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program had many strengths: immersion, community, on site food and board among many other things. The administration was incredibly knowledgeable and knew how to perform all of their jobs to perfection. It was outstanding how readily I was helped whenever I entered an administration office. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was amazing, the dorm rooms were fully prepared upon arrival. It included a mini-fridge and microwave as well as desk areas for both students and bedding. The dorms were within five minutes walking distance to class and a five minute walk to the bus stop which could take students to virtually anywhere within Tokyo |
| * Food: |
The food was exceptional. I loved all the food I ate while over in Japan. The program offered the services of the dining hall, which had average cuisine. However, it wasn't hard to find some spectacular food just off campus if you knew where to look. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The culture was abundant and surrounded me every day I was there. There was a cultural festival held on campus during my stay which had various types of tasty treats as well as fun games. There were no specific field trips registered but there was availability to come and go and see the sights of Tokyo. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There was a mandatory health check upon entering into the university. They then had a checkup a couple weeks later. I found that I had been eating too many salty foods and my blood sugar had risen. I don't feel this would have happened in the states. In terms of Safety there was an option field trip out to a safety program where students would learn fire and earthquake drills. And even run through a smoke maze. I required no vaccines for traveling to Japan. One of the cleanest countries in the world. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do try to regulate how much money you spend per week. It helps to not exceed that limit and even to spend less. Then there are days where you can go out and splurge. Or simply keep a notebook of everything you buy. It helps limit your spending. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I took Japanese 3 before leaving for the country. I felt it helped prepare me to engage the language but not to use it. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The language program was quite effective at ICU. They made us utilize our language skills on a daily basis and I improved my language a significant deal because of it. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Do it. Just going to any foreign country, seeing something beyond the immediate. The type of student that would most benefit from this specific program would be those who enjoy history and anime. Those were the primary topics reviewed in the course. But in reality, everyone benefits. |
