Japan: Academically Rewarding and Full of Adventures Past Review
By Alicia S (East Asian Studies., The University of Texas at Austin) for
J. F. Oberlin University: Tokyo - Reconnaissance Japan Program
Doing study abroad has really help shape me and and my future. I now know what I want to do specifically and I will push myself even more to achieve my goals.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Japanese classes here are amazing. The professors do their best to help the students and are always interested in their progress. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Obirin has an amazing international students services staff. They are eager to help the students and always have solutions to any problem. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family lived about 15 mins from the nearest station and 20 mins from the school bus stop. It is a good neighborhood. The apartment was a little bit small, but my host family keeps it very clean and tidy. My host parents are wonderful, they help with any problems and love to talk and joke around. |
| * Food: |
I'm lactose intolerant and my host mom has adjusted all the meals for me. She is an excellent cook and also cooks food that I miss. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
So far my school has organized a camp and new years celebration. They also introduce other activities for students to get involved in the local area. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
So far I had to go to clinic twice. Once for a sports injury and the other for illness. The sports injury was well taken care of by my club members. They took me to the clinic and stayed with to make sure all the paper work was filled out properly and helped till I recovered. As for the illness, I went to the school clinic and they advised I see a doctor. They also drove me to the clinic and helped with everything. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The program strongly encourage improvement and offer many ways to improve outside of class. There are class guests, fellow students, professors, and clubs to practice Japanese with. I lived with host family, so I am able to practice everyday. Study abroad students usually speak English with each other and with the foreign professors. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I highly recommend this program. The staff and faculty is amazing and the Japanese students are really open to foreign students. Someone who likes small schools, living outside the city (but still close) and want to focus on language improvement. |
