An Unforgettable Experience: Japan Past Review
By A student (English; TESOL, University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 01/28/2012 to 05/28/2012 with
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that I really do enjoy the Japanese culture, and it is fun learning and practicing the language. I also learned to humble myself to participate in the culture. Of course, I gained friendships, an open-mind, and a desire to go back.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were not difficult. The homework load isn't too heavy so you have time to do other stuff as well like karaoke! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The people were very friendly and would help you in any way that they could. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in Seminar House 1, which was actually pretty nice! The only downside to choosing a seminar house is that you do not get to live with Japanese; however, you are surrounded by international students who are in the same boat as you are. The house was clean and the staff was friendly! |
| * Food: |
Through my university, I got a stipend to use either at the cafeteria or to buy groceries to cook at the seminar house. The food in the cafeteria may not be the best food in the world, like every other cafeteria, but it was still delicious! Sometimes, it gets a bit crowded. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since the semester for international students started later than the semester for Japanese students (we started at the beginning of February; they didn't start until the middle of April), you don't really get a chance to interact with a lot of them unless you do a program like Conversation Partners or the International Advisory Partner Program. Make sure you join lots of cultural activities as well! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Of course you have to be careful when walking alone at night, but Osaka was overall pretty safe. I witnessed a musician was playing at a local park, left all his equipment to use the restroom, and no one touched his stuff. Though, I wouldn't be brave enough to do so myself. |
| 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) |
The thing about the stipend is that it doesn't come until the end of February, so during that month, expenses can be a bit high. The cost of food in Japan is a little more expensive than the U.S. However, there really aren't any other big expenses for you to make. If you go out to karaoke or bowling, they are pretty cheap entertainment. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It cost me about $70 a week for groceries (but I did have a stipend for March through May), and I spent about $10-$20 when I went out near the campus on the weekends. When I traveled, it really depended on where I went. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't buy a lot of souvenirs once you get there, you might find something better and cheaper later. |
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 |
You had homework every night for the language classes, some of it required you to speak to someone in Japanese. They also expect you to talk to the professors in as much Japanese as you can. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Go to the CIE lounge. There is almost always someone there that is willing to practice Japanese with you. Also, join the conversation partner program or the international advisory partner program. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? |
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? | This sounds bad, but I can't really think of anything. Maybe about how expensive it can be, so it's best to have some money saved up. |
