Don't Wait For Fate to Come Knocking Past Review
By A student (Teaching English in Japan, Eastern Michigan University) - abroad from 05/08/2017 to 06/08/2017 with
JCMU Japan Center: Career/Culture Hybrid Courses
Teaching is a technique that I can learn and that I enjoy, and I can help people all over the world. I think that's something good to know.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was a great experience and a good crash course to get anyone up and running in the realm of teaching. Of course, we had a perfectly tailored situation for those that wished to teach specifically to Japanese people. We were able to travel the country and teach English to all age groups, from babies to senior citizens. As to the weaknesses of our own individual teaching styles, there was no stone left unturned by the end of the program. We had a wonderful resource in Chris Garth, and the area was a good spot to find subjects to teach. I only wish that there had been more domestic Japanese students living at JCMU at the time so that we could have more subjects to teach. There was some discussing of theory that I personally enjoy but the meat and potatoes is in the exercise of teaching itself, and techniques were freely borrowed for maximum effect. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
For the most part everything went smoothly, although a few times we were confused about what we were doing, but in retrospect I think that was a good learning experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm is a clean and beautiful building with all the amenities of modern life, minus the superior-in-every-way American dryers. |
| * Food: |
JCMU is a 5 minute walk from several restaurants and 7/11, and please be mindful that convenience stores in Japan are like mini-supermarkets. I was never hungry once, although I still don't like nattou. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If you leave your room you can freely wander Japan to your heart's content, and I took every opportunity to participate in local events and engage with the locals in Japanese when I wasn't teaching English. It can be time consuming to reach new areas, however. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health problems beyond a cold and that was made tolerable by cheap and effective medicine available at the local 7/11. |
| * Safety: |
I've spent 5 months in Japan in total and never once felt in danger from another person. I only ever saw one intimidating person, in Osaka, a hundred miles from JCMU. The only thing I would warn of is to look both ways before crossing a country road. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The individual pieces were not perfect but I had an amazing time overall and bonded with some truly magical people. |
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) |
I ate out everyday and went from Tokyo to Hiroshima on about $700 for the whole program. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save food money for eating out and use any of the school trips to your advantage. You can get great deals at closing time from stores food-wise. Instead of spending lots on souvenirs, you should really invest in food and travel, those are what create lasting memories. Don't spend $1000 at the Pokemon Center, although I bought plenty of Pokemon Center stuff. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? |
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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? | That you could buy Boss coffee at the Trial supermarket at 50 yen a piece as opposed to 110-130 yen at the vending machine. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
