Studying Abroad in Japan: An Epic Adventure Past Review
By A student (Anthropology., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 03/30/2013 to 08/05/2013 with
J. F. Oberlin University: Tokyo - Reconnaissance Japan Program
The classes were interesting, and I learned much more than I ever could about the Japanese language, culture, and modern-day lifestyle. I'd say that the biggest success that I'm walking away with were all of the friendships I gained, and all the fun I had with the other international students there. We studied through painful bits of Japanese grammar and honorific speech, tried as many strange foods and drinks as we could find, and traveled as far as students' salaries could take us. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
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 submersion into Japanese only was very useful, but many times there were large misunderstandings concerning the homework. As a class, we didn't understand the material being used at times and couldn't communicate that fully due to the language barrier. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very useful in some regards, such as when I needed to change host families suddenly. But, about halfway through the semester, the main English coordinator disappeared from the school, on sudden leave. They had one other English speaker there, but it made things a little more strained. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had major problems with my first host family, which made for a highly stressful and uncomfortable first half of my study abroad experience. Eventually, others caught wind of my situation and at their urging I talked with the Administration and was able to be moved to a new host family immediately. The second homestay was wonderful, I only wish I had entered it with my early enthusiasm. Instead, it was mostly relief. |
| * Food: |
The food was absolutely delicious. Because I lived in homestays, I was able to experience traditional styled Japanese home-cooking almost every night. My first homestay was in a sushi restaurant, so I learned much more about food than I had ever hoped to. And I will probably never get over the selection of pure awesomeness at the numerous konbinis on ever street corner. Lawson's, you will be missed. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with host-families that were a little ways away from the university meant that I was able to really sink into the Japanese life. I lived with a Japanese family, and in my first homestay I even slept in a traditionally styled room, futon included. But it was the long walks through my neighborhood, taking the train to school, and exploring the shops and sights in travel-distance with my friends that I was truly able to settle in to a Japanese style of life. At least for a moment. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had an incident where a fish bone had lodged itself in my throat. After a few days with the irritation growing, I went first to my university's clinic, and then at there recommendation a specialist to get it removed. For most of the smaller ailments in Japan, you find yourself going to neighborhood clinics that are much smaller than we're used to. One thing I noted was that they refused to recognize the international insurance I was required to purchase through my home university. It was the national insurance I had been obligated to pay for that was used. Treatment was a little different that what I'd expect back home and prescriptions are parceled out differently in Japan, but overall it was a success. |
| * Safety: |
If I had to say just one thing about Machida, or Japan in general, it's that safety never was an issue. At no point in time did I feel threatened, even in situations that I would have been seriously afraid of back in the US. The only thing I can think of being an issue is being verbally harassed by some of the intoxicated, when people had been out drinking. The drinking culture in Japan is very different than in the US, but it's easy to adjust to. |
| 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) |
Because I lived in a homestay, food costs were manageable. Out of the necessary costs, I'd say the national health insurance came as the most of a shock and the train fare, for a three-month and then one-month Suica Pass was a little more expensive than I was expecting - but that was because I lived a bit of a distance from the school. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-$75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The main thing to focus on is balancing between necessary spending and travel funds and nights out with friends. If you're not careful, you can find yourself blowing through your weekly budget in a heartbeat. And be sure to BUDGET your funds, or you'll end up with nothing at the end of you tenure abroad. |
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 |
The program was based on learning Japanese, as such most of the classes were in Japanese, with little supplementary English allowed. There was a very small international group in this program, so Japanese was highly encouraged everywhere. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | JAP 610D |
| 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? | As much of a safety blanket all of your fellow international students will become, particularly those who speak English, don't let that stop you from branching out and befriending others. Remember, you're there to jump into a new culture and brush up on your Japanese. If you're not careful, you'll find yourself spending all of your time with fellow English speakers. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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 think I entered it with the best frame of mind possible, although more knowledge on the technical aspects concerning the national requirements of foreign students, and details on the paperwork and discussions I'd have to make about the national health insurance an residency would've been great. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
