Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

GREAT EXPERIENCE January 20, 2021

By (Michigan State University) - abroad from 05/01/2016 to 05/31/2016 with

JCMU Japan Center: Career/Culture Hybrid Courses

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So much was gained from inside the classroom as well as from beyond the classroom. learned the history of a country as well as the beauty of the culture. This is also the type of trip which teaches you more history than any history class you have ever taken. Going to Hiroshima was life changing being able to see with your own eyes the impact and damage that was caused by the United States and their action that day was something that will stay with me forever and it is not something that a history book or the best teacher can replicate. I kept a blog while in Japan as well. I tried to outline each day in the program and may be useful for people contemplating participating in the program. https://jordaninjapan2016.blogspot.com/

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.

* 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

This opportunity was sprung on me somewhat unsolicited by my advisor at the time and I would not change it for anything! It was an experience both educationally and culturally. Between the professors who are personable and go out of their way to make your experience spectacular to the trips to local places like Kyoto and Tokyo, you learn both in the classroom and out. I highly would recommend this trip to anyone who is able! You will not regret it and you will have spectacular memories, meet wonderful people and learn to appreciate a culture different from your own.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • trips to local cities and towns like Hiroshima, Tokyo, Kyoto
  • learning about a culture so different of my own and gaining a true appreciation for it moving forward
  • Meeting wonderful people and professors
* What could be improved?
  • n/a
  • n/a
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I feel like I knew enough about the program before going. The program did not let me down and exceeded expectations.