Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Kansai Gaidai offered challenging courses that also allowed for plenty of free time in cultural experiences outside of school. Language, reading and writing, and other courses were offered, and all were excellent from my experience.

On-site administration of your program

The Center for International Education at Kansai Gaidai was absolutely incredible. They helped the students at all possible times, and often extended information about opportunities in the community that many students were able to partake in and enjoy.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a host family who had been taking care of international students for about 30 years. The experience was invaluable, and my language improvement was possible largely because of speaking with my host family. They also took me on weekend trips, so I got to see parts of Japan that I never would have experienced otherwise. Also, the food was incredible. I enjoyed the commute to school every day, and my host family was not strict about what I did with my free time.

From my experience, Japanese food is some of the healthiest and tastiest in the world. I recommend that people go to Japan with an open mind, as there are many foods we are unfamiliar with. It may be a good idea to live in the dorms or apartments if a student is a vegetarian, as host families may have difficulty catering to this dietary decision.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were several events planned by Kansai Gaidai for the international students as well as events we could get involved with. I was part of a karate circle, and met many Japanese students my age. A field trip to Hiroshima was quite memorable, and festivals at the school were always fun.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The students received a number of emails regarding public health and safety, which made me feel like the administration cared deeply for its students. Japan is a very safe country, and I never felt threatened or scared by anyone. Also, even without Japanese health insurance, taking a trip to a doctor was quite inexpensive compared to costs in the United States.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I had no previous knowledge of Japanese before I arrived, but the professors were extremely gracious, patient, and understanding. Because of their ability to encourage students, I was able to test out of level 2 Japanese and move on to level 3 in my second semester.