The time spend outside of classes was the most valuable Past Review

By (Tufts University) - abroad from 10/03/2011 to 07/25/2012 with

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Japan

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be more independent, and study the things I thought worthwhile on my own time.

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? No

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)

Japan is obviously very expensive, but the monthly stipend from Tufts made it very do-able

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Japanese 004
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? try to speak the language outside of class as much as possible

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* 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?
  • The stipend allowed for ease of living and travel
  • The host city of the program was excellent for experiencing Japanese traditions
* What could be improved?
  • The required classes at the university were very disappointing, and far from academically stimulating
  • Living in an international dorm made it hard to connect with the local population
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd known that the required university classes, while tedious, provided little academic stimulation, and how ineffective they were at teaching Japanese.