Japan in Springtime Past Review
By A student (Tulane University) - abroad from 01/30/2012 to 05/26/2012 with
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Worthwhile. Learned culture, language, etc.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Japanese language courses were not very practical for daily life, and the lecture courses were too reading intensive. A lot of work for easy/not academically challenging courses. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful when asked about certain subjects. Other than a few subjects, staff could not answer most questions. Banking was not effective and foreign students left to fend for themselves in regards to transportation out of Japan and any housing problems. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestay. Wonderful experience. |
| * Food: |
Cafeteria food very small variety - could not eat cafeteria food after a few weeks without being sick. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Kansai Gaidai held a few intercultural events, but few homestay students participated due to long commute. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No on-campus health program. Only option was to go to the hospital which needed to be paid up front. College study abroad students don't have money to spend $100 for any health issue. NOT helpful. |
| * Safety: |
Japan is a safe country in general. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Japan is VERY expensive. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan out your money ahead of time. STICK TO THE PLAN. Many students spend lots of money when they arrive and run out, and many students have extra money sent from their parents half-way through the program. Be aware. |
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 lectures were in English, language courses in Japanese. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 203 |
| 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? | Study the language before you arrive. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Payment plan, the language proficiency test occurs the first day of orientation, arrive before you are told you need to because orientation starts before then. |
