The Shortest Year of My Life Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/27/2016 to 06/30/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Tokyo

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

I learned to become more adventurous and try things that I never in a million years thought I would do, as well as see the world from a new perspective. I also gained work experience through my Middlebury internships.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

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 Middlebury program afforded me with many opportunities to meet locals, go places that aren't main 'travel spots', and use the language.

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)	Tokyo is an expensive city, but if one keeps eating out to a minimum it's possible to eat cheaply. However, trains are expensive.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$175~
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Learn to cook for yourself and use the dorm kitchen

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?	Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	JAPN 202 and Summer School Level 4
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?	Make Japanese friends, try to get involved in local volunteer groups

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students
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?	Focus on using Japanese Rapport with professors Campus life
* What could be improved?	Access to information about host university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I had known where at least one or two of the supermarkets and drug stores were so I could have settled in more quickly.

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:	Language and Mind
Course Department:	Linguistics
Instructor:	Tomoko Matsui
Instruction Language:	Japanese
Comments:	It was challenging but rewarding to take a cognitive linguistics class in a foreign language. The teacher was knowledgeable and approachable, and I participated at the same frequency as I would have at Middlebury because of the small class size. We were assessed via written assignments and a final group presentation, as well as a written final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:	n/a

Course Name/Rating:	Introduction to Interpretation
Course Department:	Media, Culture, and Communication
Instructor:	Kayo Matsushita
Instruction Language:	Japanese
Comments:	Very interesting and practical course taught by a professional in the field. I did not participate very often, as it was a large class with upwards of 100 people. We were assessed through written translation assignments, as well as practical interpretation exams.
Credit Transfer Issues:	n/a