One year Exchange in Tokyo: Biggest learning experience in my life Past Review
By Diana S (Japanese Language and Literature., University of Hawaii - Manoa) for
Sophia University: Tokyo - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learn so much from doing this program, more than a class could ever teach me. This experience definitely changed my outlook on the world and life, and has made me a stronger person for it to. One thing I do know that I definitely want to go back, and if possible find a job in Japan and live there.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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? |
I was placed in a dorm for the 1st semester, but the dorm was way to strict, very expensive, and far a way from my school, so I moved out to a guest house. Which ended up being a lot closer to school and cheaper. |
| * Food: |
I mostly cooked my own food, but the food at the dorm was good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program didn't really set up much, but at the school there are lots of opportunity that I found on my own. For example, I join a snowboarding club and got to go out of tokyo and see other prefecture in japan, snowboard definitely was a highlight. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The school health center didn't really help at all. They said they dont have any doctors for us and ended up sending most of the exchange students to an outside practice office which ended up not taking foreign health insurance plans. so it was costly to be sick. As for safety I felt safe, but due to an incident that happened for 3/4 months or so felt unsafe, but slowly got better. |
| 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? |
Spoke the most Japanese with my Japanese friends, and circle members |
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?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you know little japanese, might be tough, but if you have some knowledge and really want to learn I'd say go for it, you'll find out a lot for your self, and about this county, customs and people. |
