Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Peaceful, Immersive, Relaxing and Welcoming Experience September 30, 2023

By (None) - abroad from 07/09/2023 to 08/02/2023 with

The Experiment: Japan: Anime and Manga

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I made a lot of friends and also got to explore a whole different place I never knew I would have gone to if it wasn't for the program. It was definitely worthwhile. My favorite part is the amazing people I met and the impact they have had on me and this experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This experience was really fun, beyond my expectations. There was so much I got to do in the country within a short period of time. The reason I would pick this program again is because there is still more to explore within the country and other opportunities that I didn't get to be a part of/do because of the short time.

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Duolingo
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? Learning vocabulary is very helpful especially if you are beginner, you might not know how to formulate sentences but knowing the vocabulary is helpful to get a point across. Also learning the basic questions is important. Focus more on the conversational side and not so much the writing as a beginner.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • Having the freedom to walk around the cities with friends and spend time together
  • Meeting my host family and being part of their everyday life and spending time together with them doing activities that they/I enjoy.
  • The Japanese language teachers were very nice and friendly also easy to talk to and get to know
* What could be improved?
  • Because the program requires two classes like animation and language theres not much time during the day to have free time and only in the evening. It would be nice to have some days apart from the weekends where the whole day is free to relax and reflect.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I brought an umbrella not because of rain but the sun. During my stay the temperature was very high. I would also bring clothes that dry very easily, the drying machines that were in the hostels weren't as effective and so hanging clothes was much simpler than just wasting money on a machine that wont do much. Its also very important to bring comfortable hiking shoes that are meant for hiking because of all the walking that takes place.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.