The best choice might feel like the hardest Past Review
By A student (Asian Studies/Civilization., Berea College) - abroad from 09/24/2012 to 07/31/2013 with
Kyushu University: Fukuoka - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I made so many friends from all over the world, grew more independent, fought my way through to acceptance and higher knowledge of a completely foreign culture, and found the place where I plan to spend the remainder of my life after graduation.
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. |
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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 purchased all food on my own (no meal plan), but Japan has some great food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
At the beginning and end, I felt detached, but for the bulk of my stay, I was really involved. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Japan's health care system is top rate! |
| * Safety: |
I felt about 100 times for comfortable in Fukuoka than I ever have in ANY American city. |
| 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) |
My funds made living a bit difficult, especially given the status and expectations of classmates and professors. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $300 or more |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't cook. The ideal of survival in the US is that cooking is a cheap alternative to eating out, but especially if you have dietary restrictions, you can find yourself spending over $20 on ingredients for a single meal. |
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 |
There were some opportunities to use the language with professors, but overall, it was mainly just applied outside of the courses. |
| 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? | 2nd level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Writing to and meeting new people who don't speak your native tongue. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | 10+ |
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 meeting people and making friends is really simple with the right attitude. I also wish that I had gone to Japan with no misconceptions or expectations, which were all blown away fairly quickly, in retrospect. |
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. |
