Culturally engaging and fun Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2016 to 11/22/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Tokyo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned about the various small cultural aspects of Japan that are so trivial to those living there that they don't even realize it's a Japanese cultural thing. It was worthwhile, because I love the little stuff and gave me more ways in which we can look at the world. Also, I learned how to cut down a 70 foot tree using a chainsaw.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes The program was very supportive under times of stress and the program also engaged us with the cultural aspects of the host country

Finances

* 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)	I'm not sure what this question is asking, but I spent at least $9 a day just for eating three meals a day. This isn't including snacks.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$100

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	I had completed up to the intermediate level.
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	engagement with Japanese culture travelling to tottori cutting down a tree
* What could be improved?	stress management
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	How to use offline maps and directions to find one's way through a country whose street signs are in a language unreadable to foreigners who can't read advanced kanji.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Cultural Portfolio: Discovery
Course Department:	Japanese
Instructor:	Sanae Eda
Instruction Language:	Japanese
Comments:	The class was very engaging and made use of field trips to teach relevant aspects of Japanese culture. The teacher was knowledgeable and well-prepared. I participated more in this class than what I would have at home. We were assessed by participation, papers, and homework assignments. The only downfall to this class is that its workload and exuberance stressed me out when combined with studying abroad in an unfamiliar place.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no issue

Course Name/Rating:	Japanese Language 5
Course Department:	Japanese Language
Instructor:	Asaoka Nobuyoshi
Instruction Language:	Japanese
Comments:	The class wasn't challenging, which lead to a lack of motivation. The teacher, though, was well prepared and knowledgeable. As for the class, I participated more at my home institution than there. We were assessed through papers, exams (verbal and written), homework, and presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no problems.

Course Name/Rating:	Cultural Portfolio: Reflection
Course Department:	Japanese
Instructor:	Sanae Eda
Instruction Language:	Japanese
Comments:	This half-credit class consisted of writing and posting blog posts about our experiences in Japan. Nothing much went on with it because it is paired with the class Cultural Portfolio: Discovery (I wasn't sure whether to make a separate review for this or not).
Credit Transfer Issues:	no issue

Course Name/Rating:	Community Engagement
Course Department:	Japanese
Instructor:	Sanae Eda
Instruction Language:	Japanese
Comments:	It was mildly challenging because it required going into the world and directly experiencing Japanese culture by oneself. I worked and took care of the elderly. We were assessed by whether or not we completed enough hours (24) of community service.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no issue