Kyoto University KUINEP Exchange Past Review
By Joey I (University of Hawaii - Manoa) - abroad from 10/04/2011 to 09/24/2012 with
Kyoto University: Kyoto - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
this exchange was very worthwhile. there are many things that i had to do for the first time and had to do it in another language, by accomplishing these things it gave me confidence in myself and language ability.
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. |
depending on your major, class selection may be rough. |
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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? |
cant go wrong with the price. |
| * Food: |
theres a kitchen but unfortunately no oven. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
no matter where you go its up to you to go out and meet people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
never had any problems. |
| * Safety: |
overall japan is a very safe country. however, in kyoto biking will more than likely be your main mode of transportation and sometimes the streets can be lawless. |
| 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) |
things in japan can of course be very expensive but it is very possible to make it on a student budget, especially if your are living in the dorms because they are very cheap. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | might sound odd but try to make friends with japanese people who are not particularly interested in meeting foreigners. those type of friendships tend to form more naturally. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | even if your japanese is only at an intermediate level it is still possible to take and pass some courses in japanese, therefore making the general exchange a more viable option. |
