Japan, an Amazing place Past Review
By Jesse W (Pre-Engineering/Asian Studies, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) for
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
This experience was worthwhile because I fulfilled a lifelong dream, and beyond just the dream it let me change my views to like it in a different perspective after going. This makes me even more happy with my time abroad.
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. |
I feel I learned more about the culture than I expected to in my study abroad experience. My views changed not only on the world but, also changed on what respects made me want to go to Japan and then what made me like to be able to stay even longer than my study abroad experience. |
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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? |
I lived in the seminar houses, which are just dorms. They were full of foreigners trying to learn Japanese. For me being a beginning student of Japanese this was very helpful in my opinion. This gave me the ability to meet more people that were fluent in English, but were also able to help me with Japanese in the event I needed it, or even to travel. If I were more fluent in the language, I believe living in the seminar houses would be less beneficial. |
| * Food: |
I enjoyed the areas surrounding Kansai Gaidai, along with even the school food of Kansai Gaidai. It also gave me chances to try many new foods, along with changing my eating habits permanently. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not arranged by the program, but Danjiri festivals were amazing and very unique. There are many throughout the year. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
To the best of my knowledge there was no crimes during my entire stay in Japan. With Kansai Gaidai, you are required to get travelers insurance, or the government's public health insurance. Being a foreigner the amount you will pay for their health care is only roughly twenty american dollars a month. This insurance also covers quite a bit of health ailments. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had no prior knowlege of the Japanese language. |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
The only part of the instruction I felt was lacking was with us being in Japan, with many Japanese students eager to learn english, along with foreigners learning Japanese, is the fact that we weren't practicing in class enough with direct contact with Japanese students. Another thing that could be improved on this note is the changing of American to Japanese schedules through the year to be in sync with each other. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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