Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome Year August 02, 2023

By (Mathematics, Statistics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/24/2022 to 06/25/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Tokyo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had a lot of new experiences and learned much more than just the Japanese language.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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?

I had no health issues which needed to be addressed

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

You get tons of free time to explore Tokyo since ICU is not nearly as rigorous as a school like Middlebury. The Middlebury School's staff are very friendly and helpful.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It is much cheaper to cook for yourself than to eat out

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? JAPN0202
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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Low stress
  • Convenient Tokyo location
  • Warm community
* What could be improved?
  • ICU's classes
  • Dining hall operating hours
  • Trip planning
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's best to apply for a higher JLP level than you think you should.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

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Ideas of Data Science
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Cultural Portfolio: Exploration
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Cultural Portfolio: Reflection
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Statistics for Business & Economics
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Community Engagement
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Internship in Japan
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Elements of Discrete Mathematics
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Archery
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Japanese 6
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Japanese 7
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Foundations of Programming
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