The teachers at Sapporo University are the best I've ever had Past Review
By Ashley B (Fine Art, University of Nebraska - Kearney) for
Sapporo University: Sapporo - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained my first steps and fundamentals toward speaking Japanese and starting my future here in Japan. Studying in a different country has made me aware of many things about not only Japan but many other countries. For example, not only is America a tossed salad consisting of many different nationalities; but Japan is actually just the same as I am sure most countries are. I learned many things from other people from around the world who chose to come to japan. There is never a dull moment when you have a mixture of people to learn from. You may be overwhelmed, but fulfilled with kindness and happiness!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
| The term and year this program took place: | Other 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers at Sapporo University were some of the best teachers I have had in my 16 years of school. They devoted a lot of time and effort to insure full understanding of their students and never hesitated to throw in a good laugh or twenty! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My Program Administrator assisted me with all my visa preparations. Otherwise, it was up to my Japanese Administrator to make sure things were going well for me. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived alone in an amazingly clean and well sized apartment. Aside from the other American exchange student and I, we were the only foreigners living in my building. This brought opportunity to communicate with the landlady and other tenants on our own. Also, having to call delivery services if a package was missed, get internet services, or paying bills. All of these were fairly easy things to accomplish and if help was needed someone from school would come to the rescue. |
| * Food: |
The food was absolutely amazing!! much better than an American cafeteria. Many more options, and everything seemed much more fresh. It was also ridiculously cheap, which helped alot. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
People are amazing, don't be shy and your make friends right away!! There are so many fun activities and venues to go to in Japan. Never a duel moment, between arcade, bowling allies, karaoke, batting cages, bars, restaurants, traditional shrines and museums, surfing and camping on the beach, snowboarding and whitewater rafting. The possibilities are endless! I even slept in a train in a park once. It wasn't just for homeless. There were business men there too. It was just for those who needed a last minute place to crash I guess. There were futons and everything! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Insurance was amazing, health care is very cheap. I went to the hospital once for food poisoning only paid $7 for some medicine. Also, rode with a friend in an ambulance once and the ride is free in Japan. Sapporo is a safe city! I would go running at night at 11 p.m. alone and feel safe. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Japan can be cheap and it can be expensive. Going out with friends tends to be pricey because Japanese tend to eat while they drink, so everyone order what they want and at the end they just split the price amongst the crew. So regardless that you only had two beers you are paying more. Save lots of money before coming!! People also always want to go on a trip somewhere. transportation is fairly cheap but things add up quick. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
All of the classes were mostly in Japanese, so regardless if I didn't understand something the first time eventually it would sink in. Not only because of classes, but there are many activities you can be involved in and your advisors are constantly suggesting cheap trips. Therefore, if you stay involved; regardless if you notice or not, your Japanese ability will sky rocket and you will be able to express your true feelings, which can be so gratifying. Also, there are many students studying English. They want to learn just as much as you so partner up and do language exchange. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It is an amazing experience and if you get the chance run with it because both UNK and Sapporo University take care of you a lot, financially and so forth. As we grow older chances such as these are far and between so do it while you can, but go into with a open and devoted mind. |
