The best experience in my life! Past Review
By A student (COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 08/08/2013 with
J. F. Oberlin University: Tokyo - Reconnaissance Japan Program
My language skills greatly improved, I learned more in dept the Japanese culture and society and made lots of new friends not only from Japan but from all over the world. It was definitely worthwhile, one of the best experiences in my life and one that I will treasure forever.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms were very nice, clean and looked like new. Space is not that large but since you are living alone it is not a problem. you got all you need in one place. |
| * Food: |
Great food everywhere. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Japanese are great people, nice and very respectful. They are a little shy when you want to talk to them for the first time but if you make an effort it is not that hard to make friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Overall, Japan is a very safe country, after one year studying and living there I never had a problem with insecurity. |
| 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? | 130 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 412L - Second year second semester japanese |
| 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, they are your best tool into learning and practicing your Japanese. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | That this would be such a fun experience and that the cost of fruits could go as high as they do in Japan. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
