Kansai Gaidai: An experience that will be with me for a long time Past Review
By Joshua E (Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia., University of Northern Iowa) for
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained international perspective, a multicultural education, and insight into another part of the world. The rating remains a 3/5 because although it was a great experience, personally I did not gain a great deal academically and had to move in an out of the seminar house twice during the midterms and right before finals putting a lot of stress on my shoulders. Academically, it only confirmed my current choice in a major, but it was a good way to see what it would be like if I had chosen another path.
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. |
In some courses the grading system was not clear from the beginning. The class descriptions were different from the actual way it was graded. I would have also liked to know that classes are selected on a lottery system, and that there is the possibility for large gaps of time between classes. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Host family, friends, and other students. Yes, I did need to use it in everyday interactions. Most people did speak English. |
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?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I advise future applicants to know exactly what they are getting themselves into before attending the university. I think those students who are interested in Japanese language study and seeing as much as Japan as possible would benefit the most from the program. |
