A truly life-changing experience Past Review
By Frank T (University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/23/2015 to 12/23/2014 with
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Asian Studies Program
I learned a ton about Japanese culture, Japanese language, and myself. Being immersed in a new culture and having everything that was familiar to me taken away really gave me an opportunity to see who I really am without all of that. It was also very interesting to be able to view American culture from a different culture's point of view.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although it was academically intense, it did not take away from the experience at all. On the contrary, it made the experience that much better learning so much Japanese and Japanese Culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very organized and extremely friendly! They helped me with every question or concern I had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family and it was one of the best parts of being abroad. I learned so much more than I would have if I chose to stay in a seminar house. |
| * Food: |
Japanese food is incredible! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have an experience with healthcare, but the healthcare information was clearly explained during Kansai Gaidai's opening ceremony. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Mostly because of frequent transportation. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It varied, but probably around $70 each week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan a budget, but try not to let it control your trip. Worrying about money too much can seriously take away from the experience. I saw it happen to people in my program. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
All day, every single day! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | None |
| 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? | Use it as much as you can. It's very tempting to use English when you know you can, but get into the habit of using their language. Have conversations with yourself in your head when you have free time. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | I wish I had gotten drunk before my flight because 24 hours on a plane was absolutely crazy!! It was totally worth it though. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
