A walk through unfamiliarity June 10, 2024
By morgan r (International Business, University of Nevada, Reno) - abroad from 09/07/2023 to 01/31/2024 with
USAC Japan: Nishinomiya (Osaka/Kobe Region) - Contemporary Japanese Language, Culture, and Society
New views on the Japanese culture, language immersion, a new view of life, and a gaining confidence in unfamiliar situations
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. |
All the professors were very kind and effective in their teaching |
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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? |
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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
USAC was very supportive and assisted in much of the confusing aspects, making it as stress free as possible. The experience itself was incredible, and the location is especially perfect |
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) |
Everything was cheap compared to many other countries due to the decline in the value of Yen, so everything was very affordable |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$60-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take a walk instead of the bus every now and then |
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 |
The language classes really pushed for learning through immersion |
| 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? | N/A |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to fail. Everyone is very friendly and appreciate you trying to learn their language |
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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| 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? | Make sure to study speaking in Japanese before you go at least a little bit |
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.' |
