ATW: Short and Bittersweet Past Review
By Deanne N (Linguistics, Rice University) for
Kyushu University: Fukuoka - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was so wonderful. I've made so many friends and gotten to know myself so much better because of it. It set me back on the path I wanted to follow and the feeling I've been trying to recapture about my approach to my life goals. It was a solid experience from a solid program.
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. |
The workload was decent, though much more than anticipated. 3 weeks per course is a very short time, so there was a lot to cram. Each class was a standard lecture, with readings or small projects that were comparable to my university or totally manageable. There was a midterm 1.5 weeks in and a final at the end. Studying for the final was not difficult if you showed up to class everyday and payed attention. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were always so helpful, kind, just sweet people who genuinely cared about you and your time there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm was a bit far from the train but it was bearable. Dorm room is small, but livable and I didn't really mind, I only came back to sleep anyway. My host family treated me just like family and I really wish I had more time spend with them. |
| * Food: |
I love japanese food and it does not disappoint. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
A lot of trips arranged by the program, a lot to see outside of those trips alone, so little, so little time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Perhaps bring along some stomach ache pills in case you have trouble adjusting to the food, but other than that, I felt very well taken care of by my tutors, my host family, and the program in general. |
| 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? | I spent a good deal of money on transportation and buying clothes. Transportation was easily a cool $200 for 6 weeks. Clothing prices are expensive, but I was there during the big sale season (July - beginning of August). Going to the movies in Japan is expensive, about $17 a ticket, so I wouldn't advise that. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get as much money exchanged beforehand, in cash IN YOUR HANDS, from your bank before going. It's generally cheaper and the exchange rates may change while you were there. I changed $1000 into yen beforehand and I wish I had gotten more while the rate was higher. Check to see what the bank charges for withdrawing money overseas, as well as the credit card. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2 semesters, or about 1 year of instruction |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyone had a tutor assigned to them, but you pretty much speak to all the tutors and practice that way. It's really easy to make friends! My language skills improved the most in terms of general convo, shopping, and asking for directions, because that's what I used the most. People speak english, but not as many as you would think. I also stayed with a host family for 2 weeks, which also helped. The language course itself was great, but could've been placed at a higher importance than the culture classes. 6 weeks is too short. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you want to study abroad, study for a semester or longer. A summer just isn't enough. It leaves you wanting more. |
