Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I'm really happy it happened. Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 08/28/2012 to 05/17/2013 with

ISEP Exchange: Hirakata - Exchange Program at Kansai Gaidai University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about an entirely new culture and way of life. I definitely think it had a positive effect on me and I would love to do it again, perhaps another country.

Review Photos

ISEP: Hirakata - Kansai Gaidai University Photo ISEP: Hirakata - Kansai Gaidai University Photo ISEP: Hirakata - Kansai Gaidai University Photo

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? a lot, transportation mostly
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you have to travel around the city, take your bike. Bus tickets can really pile up.

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

Most of the Japanese students wanted to speak to me in english, which is okay because I'm not that fluent in Japanese, but I didn't go to Japan to speak english. I used the most constant Japanese in the classroom.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Japanese 102
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? Go out with friends, may get expensive, but its worth it.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Learning the language
  • Meeting new people
  • Living abroad
* What could be improved?
  • Allowing students to have a job
  • Having more money to travel
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew exactly how my credits would be counted before going abroad, it probably would help me to graduate on time.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Mind and Body in Yoga, Buddhism, and Daoism
Course Department:
Instructor: Reggie Pawle
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I've always been interested in Eastern Religions and meditation and was so happy to have an actual course about it.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Manga Drawing
Course Department:
Instructor: Bon Won Koo
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Manga may look easy but...phew. I really enjoyed the class.
Credit Transfer Issues: