I was starving, but it was totally worth it Past Review
By Tony L (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 04/04/2011 to 02/10/2012 with
Oita University: Oita - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Japan is really weird, I love it and sometimes I would hate it, but it was a worthwhile experience. Life in Japan made me realize how American I am.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The regular english taught classes were designed for international students who's first language might not be English. So being a native English speaker, the classes were super easy. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The international office was very helpful, they were all pretty fluent in English because this school accepts students with zero previous knowledge of Japanese as well as advanced learners. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing in the Oita International dorm is probably the cheapest in Japan. They come with a mini kitchen and fridge. |
| * Food: |
Groceries in Japan was about 4 times higher than that of Texas, be prepared! Bento-boxes and restaurant food seem to be about the same price as America oddly. A good trick I used is to go to the grocery stores around closing time and the bento boxes go on sale for 50% off |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You will feel like an honored guest where ever you go, but getting into deeper conversations and becoming "real" friends with the local Japanese was difficult. I gave up 6 months in and just made really close friendships with the fellow international students from all over the world. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health problems in Japan so I can't really comment on this issue. |
| * Safety: |
Japan is probably the safest country in the world. Maybe it's a little too safe, everyone there seems to have some sort of obsessive compulsive disorder with safety and cleanliness. |
| 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) |
It was super hard to budget. Rent+ utilities came out to around $250 a month, groceries were about $100 a week buying the bare minimum, I hardly ever ate out or spent any money on entertainment because I was so poor. Alcohol is about the same price as the US and sometimes even cheaper. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn how to cook, food is super expensive up in here!! |
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 |
I tried very hard to use Japanese at first, then I just gave up and stopped trying so hard. Oddly enough when I stopped trying so hard, I started making the most progress in fluency. |
| 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? | 2.5 years |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go to "Jungle" Park and walk around talking to drunken Japanese people. It's really fun and a good way to become less shy about speaking Japanese. |
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?
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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 should have saved more money and learned how to cook before coming |
