Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sharks, Lasers, and Typhoons. Past Review

By (University of California - Riverside) - abroad from 07/01/2011 to 06/22/2012 with

International Christian University: Tokyo - Direct Enrollment and Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Is that even a question? Aside from the will to live again, I improved my Japanese skills, was able to truly find my passion in life, and finally come to an environment where I felt I could thrive. Heck if I could apply to college over again, armed with the knowledge I have now as a senior, I would have probably picked ICU over UCR provided I could have gotten scholarships to fund my trip. If only I could stay and finish up my senior year here, but alas I must go back to UCR, and subject myself to taking classes I don't want to take etc. Definitely worth while, I am just sad I have to go back to Riverside is all.

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

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Japanese 2
How many hours per day did you use the 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
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Other
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?
  • Language Immersion
  • A humanities program that is adequately funded
  • The awesome people that I met
* What could be improved?
  • Financial information, what to do before we get here etc.
  • The departure practice with classes and what not
  • Insurance, didn't appreciate getting billed for UC insurance in the middle of my program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A heads-up that the exchange rate would turn hideous on me in the midst of my trip. Better descriptions of how the languages for the classes would be seperated into. I am rather sad I was not able to take classes due to their being in Japanese, and my skills being rather limited.