A difficult but absolutely fun experience. Past Review
By Blake W (Psychology, Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 01/26/2015 to 06/01/2015 with
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Asian Studies Program
I learned how different the perspective of the Japanese, as well as many cultures, are from my own, and I learned to keep this in mind when thinking of things that I consider common sense.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Each class was challenging and the assignments given gave me a better understanding of the subject matter. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The fact that I was at best 20 minutes away from the university by foot and 15 by bike made it difficult to be on time for my morning classes, especially because the uncomfortable futons and light shining in my room made it difficult to get a decent, uninterrupted sleep. However, I did end up learning more about cooking for myself, and the facilities such as the laundry and refrigerator were useful. |
| * Food: |
The food was delicious, but what I could find was not the best for my health. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was rarely able to interact with the locals, and when I did it never made any lasting effect. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
At one point, when I felt sick, the university escorted me to the best hospital they had. However, this was after I had tried other hospitals which did not get to the root of the problem and instead gave me recommendations for medicine. |
| * Safety: |
You need to be cautious on the roads, as cars are less likely to see or wait for you. However, they do go much slower. Additionally, you'll find you can leave things out in the open without worry of them being stolen. In fact, speaking from personal experience, should you lose something, it has more than likely been put in the lost and found. |
| 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) |
I'm not including "shopping sprees" I went on during specific weeks when I say it was roughly $100 per week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $65 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy in bulk on Mondays, as the grocery discounts on Mondays, and avoid spending at the cafeteria if your schedule allows. |
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 |
It was mostly a few times per month my speaking and reading/writing courses would recommend talking to locals. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Level 3 |
| 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? | Try envisioning a conversation you might have in Japanese, including what the other person would say and what phrase you would respond with. It's surprisingly helpful in both learning the language and being able to speak it on the spot. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | 0 |
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? | How good/bad specific foods can be for you depending on the ingredients, and how hard it is to make a connection with someone, especially of another culture, when there isn't a place where those of common interest can meet. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
