Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I will go back to Hikone. Past Review

By (Michigan State University) - abroad from 05/06/2019 to 06/07/2020 with

JCMU Japan Center: Career/Culture Hybrid Courses

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned some strategies for teaching literacy and language. I used those strategies to teach in my other classes after I came back to MSU. This experience was extremely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I LOVE THIS EXPERIENCE. You will learn a lot regarding how to teach English to speakers of other languages. You will have experience of communicating and working with local Japanese students and teachers. What you learned in the class would definitely help you with interacting and helping with local students. The amount of academic work was ok. You will have enough time to finish your academic work and have fun in Japan.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The teachers there and all the resources they preprepared for us were helpful. They gave out clear information about how to live in Japan. They were always willing to help you when you had questions.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

In the dorm, it has almost everything you need, like kitchenware, beddings, hangers, etc. The dorm is clean and organized.

* Food:

There is a restaurant next to the school and a convenient store. If you don't cook, you still can survive. The food was good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

You will truly experience local life there. The program will take you out for field trips and have a workshop/event with local people. Japanese people were super polite and nice. They were very patient to listen to you even though they didn't understand you at all : )

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

4

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook for yourself.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
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? Advanced

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • working with local students and teachers
  • woking with instructors
  • hanging out with friends and instructors
* What could be improved?
  • don't not remove TE494 from this program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Prepare a pair of slippers that can be wore in the building.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

TE 494 Field Experience in Teacher Education
Course Department: TESOL
Instructor: Christopher Garth
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Chris is an amazing English teacher and elementary teacher. He had a lot of great ideas for teaching English and teaching kids. You will learn a lot of teaching strategies from him. The filed experience in Japan also will allow you to experience teaching with those strategies you learned in class. It's perfect to have TE494 in Japan.
Credit Transfer Issues: NO