Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wish it was longer! Past Review

By (Central Michigan University) - abroad from 05/07/2018 to 06/07/2018 with

JCMU Japan Center: Career/Culture Hybrid Courses

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How to be in an English Language classroom and learning about local cultures. It was worth it every step of the way. As someone who is now on the JET program, the Teaching English section is used often for me.

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.

Classes were just about everyday of the week, some days we would go on a field trip for one class, and have to go back to campus to go to another class. We would often take trips to various schools and work with English teachers in their class. Ranging from Elementary to Adult classes.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Clean dorm room and made good use out of the gaming room.

* Food:

Often we would buy our own food, but there were a couple times where we would go out and get food after a school visit, or another professor would buy treats/food for us.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The culture class was a huge impact on this. Lots of field trips around Shiga, where we got to see shrines or temples, castles or even local street shopping.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Very safe. I had no issues when I would travel when it was late/darker out.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The whole experience was amazing. The professors at this school really cared about my experiences, and made sure I was comfortable the entire time.

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)

Shopping for food was easy as we often went when the store had sales on their food items. However shopping for gifts/items to take back home was another story.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100~
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Wait for food sales! The produce is just as good, but it`s cheaper

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Trips
  • Teachers
  • School Visits
* What could be improved?
  • Bathrooms
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing. This was a clean slate for me.

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 Linguist
You 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!