I'd go back in a heartbeat Past Review
By A student (COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES., Berea College) - abroad from 06/02/2013 to 06/30/2013 with
KIIS: Traveling - Experience Japan (Summer)
I learned so much about the language by being completely immersed in it. I had the opportunity to speak to a large number of people and fulfilled my dream of visiting Inari Taisha, one of my favorite temples. I know I'll visit again one day and explore even more.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The intensity of the courses depends on the professor, as classes vary with each summer abroad. My Japanese class was incredibly intensive whereas my Developmental Psychology class was not nearly as difficult. |
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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? |
There was a wide variety of arrangements, and the opportunity to live with a host family was one of the best experiences I've ever had. |
| * Food: |
You were encouraged to buy your own food, but the food provided depended on the housing location. Hotel and hostel food was worse than home cooked food from the homestay family |
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $150/wk |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out at restaurants for every meal. Go for a very cheap lunch if you plan to eat out for dinner. Don't buy souvenirs until the last day you are staying at a location so you don't spend too much money early on. |
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 |
We had to interview our host family using our language skills. It was difficult, but very rewarding. |
| 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? | Japanese 102 |
| 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? | Learn to read as soon as possible. Sing Karaoke, you will get the opportunity to read a lot of words with the pronunciation accompanying it. I also learned a lot from watching the news with my host family. |
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? | Food costs, I wish I knew as much of the language then as I do now. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
