100% recommend! Past Review
By Monica (University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign) - abroad from 09/19/2018 to 12/20/2018 with
University of Illinois: Illinois Year-in-Japan Program
I feel like I gained more self-confidence through this program. I feel less nervous and anxious speaking the language with natives and am willing to take more risks in solo traveling.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program is great for learning or improving your Japanese language skills, the class takes place every day for a span of 3 hours. It might seem long, but the teachers make the classes interesting and fun. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
This program has one of the best on-site administrators in my opinion! They are always available and help students with any problems or concerns that might arise. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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
This program is very well organized and student-focused. |
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) |
The scholarships the school gives along with the part-time job options helps a lot! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 2000 Yen ( 20.00 USD) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take both part-time jobs, and don't go crazy with convenience store food. It's cheap but it adds up! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had completed level one of advanced |
| 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? | Speak with your host family at dinner, make friends and talk to them through social media. My overall advice is to try to incorporate the language into your life outside of a textbook and a classroom. |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I don't think there is anything I wish I knew before starting the program. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
