Past Review
By Devon L (Architecture., The University of Texas at Austin) for
University of Texas - Austin: Traveling - Architecture in Japan Maymester
absolutely worth it.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Megumi Sugihara, our on-site coordinator through CET Academic Programs, was amazing! She was well prepared, encouraging and resourceful, an all around wonderful addition to our group. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In Kyoto we stayed in a hotel. In Tokyo we stayed in a YMCA. <br /><br /> The housing in Kyoto at the Palace Side Hotel was great - well located, comfortable, friendly staff, nice facilities. The housing in Tokyo at the YMCA was fine - it was not as comfortable as the hotel in Kyoto, not as clean and lacking in facilities (no refrigerator in the rooms or in a community kitchen facility, one laundry machine that did not work very well...). However, it was well located and met the minimum requirements as far as a place to sleep. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had wonderful group dinners together. A neat way to experience authentic Japanese culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Japan is the safest place I have ever been. It is understood in Japanese culture that people are honest, you simply do not cheat or steal. Before leaving, the only potential concern I heard was about occasional groping on subways; however, I did not experience this, nor any other gender-based discomfort, during our time in Japan. |
| 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? | It is just incredibly expensive to really take advantage of Japan. While it did mean incurring significant financial responsibilities (in terms of loans to repay, etc), I believe the experience - educationally, culturally, personally - was well worth the cost. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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* 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? | self-motivated and intellectually curious students are well suited for this Japan maymester. |
