Japan: Interesting and the most Memorable Experience of my Life! Past Review
By Jin K (Foreign Language - Japanese, University of the Pacific) for
Kwansei Gakuin University: Nishinomiya - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, I loved Japan, and I learned so much of the language and culture there! I am even thinking about going back to Japan to work there for the rest of my life after finishing school,
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. |
The workload was different from Pacific in that we had more small essays and small daily homework assignments and daily quizzes that required me to study every day. |
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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: |
I recommend the Nishinomiya Gardens (mall next to the Nishinomiya Kitaguchi train station) food court |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
the school has 1 field trip during the orientation, but it wasn't that good. we just went to some shrines and temples for the most part. But there was something called the Coffee Hour once a month where the exchange students are required to attend, and it was a very good opportunity to meet and make new japanese friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Japan is a very safe country in general. The recent nuclear radiation is the only real health problem, but it was minute in the Kansai area. |
| 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? | 10,000 yen a week (about 150 USD give or take 10 dollars), but this is with only spending little bit, and not traveling much at all. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | none, I had gotten alot of information from my friend who had studied abroad at the same program the previous year. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Japanese I |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Local friends and teachers, and host mother. Yes, I used Japanese in everyday interaction. Most of the other exchange students always used English to interact, but I tried to not interact with them much, so I can practice Japanese more. |
| 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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Never feel shy about talking with the local people. They are very shy and modest, but are so nice and friendly if you talk to them first! Try to join clubs or circles; it helps you make friends and help you experience a different aspect of Japanese culture, that you cannot experience otherwise. |
