Past Review
By Casey L (International Relations and Affairs., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) for
ISEP Exchange: Hirakata - Exchange Program at Kansai Gaidai University
Do you actually think I could possibly answer this question using words?
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
| The term and year this program took place: | Summer 2009 |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned much more Japanese then I expected to. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
if i ever needed them the were there. I never felt like they were intruding. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
tenth floor of an apartment building in Nagao. <br /><br /> At first I did not like my homestay that much but the longer I adapted the more I enjoyed it. Homestay was by far the best part of my experience. If you are really serious about getting something out of this experience, live with a homestay. If this is your vacation, live in a dorm. |
| * Food: |
if you dont like rice or fish, I dont understand why you would want to live Japan. The food was great. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everything that did not have to do with the University made my stay the greatest experience of my life. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
You dont need to worry about this sort of thing. japan is extremely safe. |
| 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? | expect to spend about 500 to 600 yen per meal. If you eat out it is not that different in price |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you get the JASSO dont expect to use it till after the first month if you start in the fall. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My best resource was my host family. If I had lived in the dorms I would of not learned half as much as I did. If you do end up living in the dorms I would say only sleep there. Once I stepped foot off of campus it was rare to be spoken to in english. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | the first half is about learning about yourself, the second is about putting what you learned to the test. |
