So Worth It!! August 12, 2023
By Annika T (Printmaking, Berea College) - abroad from 06/03/2023 to 07/03/2023 with
KIIS: Traveling - Experience Japan (Summer)
I learned about and gained a newfound respect for this unique culture.
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. |
As an art major, my classes were pretty easy as they reflected 100 level art courses but they still encouraged and pushed my growth in describing my work and its meaning to others. |
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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
I would love to experience Japan again someday, not to say I don't want to visit other countries, but Japan is such a unique and beautiful culture and society, that I would go there again in a heartbeat. |
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? | I'd estimate 200-400 Japanese Yen every meal. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be aware of conversion rates and keep an eye on how much you're spending. Have a better understanding of how much currency you're spending and how it translates over to US dollars. |
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 |
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| 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? | N/A |
| 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? | If you don't know the language of the country you're visiting, look up simple/necessary words such as "yes, no, please, thank you, sorry/excuse me" Those words go a long way in communicating simple things. |
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? | I wish I hadn't packed so much. Personally, I didn't need to bring a huge checked bag, I could have gotten by just fine with two carry-on sized bags (one to check) and my backpack. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
