The Best Time of My Life Past Review
By A student (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 09/09/2016 to 01/15/2017 with
USAC Japan: Nishinomiya (Osaka/Kobe Region) - Contemporary Japanese Language, Culture, and Society
I learned to be more independent and I feel that I grew as a person. I learned how much I truly loved Japan and it inspired me to come back again to study and work there in the future.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Nothing personal with the dorm I lived in, I just rather have lived with a host family. Although, the way the showers and laundry facilities work were kind of a hassle because of the limited availability they had. And paying to do laundry every time was a bit tedious. |
| * Food: |
Everything I ate was good even when it was from the convenient store. |
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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: |
I felt safe walking by myself late at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved the school and I was happy with the classes I took. The students and teachers were all very friendly. I did think some of the classes could have been taught better but overall I have no complains. |
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) |
I had to go out to eat for every meal so it definitely added up. Transportation also added up since you have to take a train everywhere you go. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook when you can. If you go out to eat avoid going to expensive places time since food definitely adds up by the end of the week if you are going out everyday. Save buying souvenirs at the end of the trip. |
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 |
In the Japanese taught classes we were only allowed to speak Japanese. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Japanese (301 and 302) |
| 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? | Talk to people in the language you are learning as much as possible. Do not be shy!! |
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 wish that I decided to live with a host family. I feel like I would have learned more Japanese that way. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
