AMAZING! Past Review
By A student (East Asian Studies, Child and Family Studies, Berea College) - abroad from 06/01/2014 to 06/30/2014 with
KIIS: Traveling - Experience Japan (Summer)
I gained MANY new friends both American and Japanese!
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. |
There was SO much traveling throughout the country that it was difficult to complete assignments. We would often have long projects due after travelling for several hours. For me, it was difficult to finish my homework because I need peace and quiet. Shinkansen trips don't always afford that. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrator was WONDERFUL!!! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved some of the hotels and my home-stay, but other hotels were really shabby. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing and filling!!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like a tourist when I was with the group. When I was alone, I had a lot of fun, but the group element made me feel like I stood out. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It was very safe. As Americans, we tend to not follow traffic laws which are important. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right-of-way. |
| 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? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as soon as you know you want to go. Bring money with you to send things back, or save room in your baggage. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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 level 3 |
| 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? | Make sure to practice reading, speaking, and listening. Writing skills are important but speaking and listening are integral. |
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? | That pillows in Japan are literally filled with rocks. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
