You will find a little bit of everything in Japan! Past Review
By Evelyn H (Computer Science & Engineering, University of California - Merced) for
Tohoku University: Sendai - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My time in Japan made me realize that I definitely want to come back and work in Japan in the future. Every city is so different, yet similar that you can't go wrong wherever you go. Tokyo was pretty awesome, but I left my heart in Sendai.
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 workload for the classes (excluding language) seemed lighter than my home school's. Although there were less assignments and reading, it is not to say it was easier. In order to understand the material you had to attend EVERY class and actively take notes, as nothing was posted online for you otherwise. Also, make sure you pay attention to and keep up with the language class, as it is easy to get behind. |
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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? |
The room is pretty much ready to go once you move into the dorm, although you have to make sure to purchase an Ethernet chord if you want to get any internet in your room. The housing provided all eating utensils and bedding, which made it less thing you have to worry about when you arrive to Sendai. The city is VERY safe and full of things to do. There are a couple of good restaurants near the dorms and grocery stores a few blocks away. Everything you need is just a bike ride away. |
| * Food: |
Try a little bit of everything! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The class field trip to the Honda factory was one of the best parts of the Culture B class. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | Make sure to budget properly when traveling around Tokyo. It can get very expensive going from train to train if you get lost! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Japanese II |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
It was difficult to develop my Japanese skills as a lot of the foreign students and I used English as our way to communicate. It is easy to fall into the trap of English only among other EAP kids but if great effort is put into Japanese only it is possible. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | As alluring as Tokyo and Osaka may be, make sure you visit all the smaller towns while traveling in Japan. |
