USAC Japan at Osaka: A Sea of Culture and Language Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

First of all, (and this should be obvious) studying abroad in Japan means hard work. Your classes will not be easy "let's expose you" type classes. No these classes really do mean to teach you, and have you learn. You should know some Japanese before Going, and keep in mind that they grade HARDER there. Classes are scheduled like a normal university, your language courses are all week long like at home, with a changing schedule for the others. This particular program offers a home stay option that I highly recommend. My host family was amazing and they helped me a great deal in adjusting to the new environment. Not to mention the fact that you get to experience more with a family then you do on your own culture wise.

On-site administration of your program

There is a team of over 15 people on site ready and able to help you. Every Ryugakusei gets two "Japanese Partners" who are like peer tutors/guides/friends, assigned to them. You are NEVER alone. Never. You can venture off on your own sure, but there is a tightly woven secure net of people there who are ready to help you. The entire group is small, you become close friends with Ryugakusei like you as well as kids from the Japanese school as you open up and communicate with them. Detailed explanations of courses are provided, and it was easy for me to petition my school to accept the credits. The tight network of people in this program do not let you mess up anything as far as the Japanese legal system is concerned (registering with the district, getting a train pass ect). For the most part you have all the help you could ever want, and it is not over bearing in the least. You can choose to figure things out alone. But it is far easier to just listen and go with the flow.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Staying with a host family is the best. Hands down the best. You get to experience Japanese daily culture, such as bathing at night, dinners with the family, meeting the family. I just loved my host family. I met their kids (all fully grown and older than I!) and got first hand knowledge of family norms, and familial ties in japan. They even took me around the Kansei area to various really cool places. My favorite was this hidden tea shop they knew about. These things you don't have in the overly commercial United States.

The host family is requested and provided funds to feed you breakfast and dinner. This is usually just fine because those are they only two meals you are home for. The REAL Japanese cuisine was amazing. My host mother and Host sister were brilliant chefs. I enjoys a wide variety of healthy, delicious, and local foods. For that one (maybe two) meals that you are on your own for, I do recommend experimenting and exploring. Something you don't do often state side, but is critical in Japan. Some of THE BEST places are where you least expect them. I had a delicious meal at a Chinese restaurant in Kobe, but it was in the middle of a strip mall, on the second floor. The second floor had to be accessed via a push pull door that you could barely see. It took me a few more visits to find it a second time. Carts CAN be trusted in Japan. Just saying.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There is no lack of culture in this program. NONE. During your orientation before your classes begin you go to some of the greatest tourist sites with the whole group via the program. Then in the middle of the program you do it again with new places. Some classes even have field trips (all voluntary). You can stay with a host family, and are heavily encouraged by them, your Japanese partners, and everyone in the program to simply EXPLORE. It really does help that this program has you in the heart of Japan's culture. You are minutes from Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara on buses and subways. The cost is entirely manageable too. The school is literally two stops (five minutes) from Takarazuka, and the famous Takurazuka all female kabuki theater. You will never be far from a shrine or temple of any form. There was one four houses walk from where I was staying, and you can barely toss a rock in this area of Japan without hitting one, hidden or well known. Kyoto has a great many shrines and temples that are FREE of charge, and the ones that cost do not cost much. Some friends and I would even hike into the mountains (easy to get to, nice vigorous walk) just to see more unique temples. The mountains are an ideal place to be on those hot days, trust me. Its not just ancient cultural relics either. Osaka is a thriving metropolis. Its flat out just amazing to walk through downtown Osaka, or take a random train and see where you go. Even the major train stops are interesting to see. Classes beyond your Language ones go over nothing but culture in various forms. You want to be drenched in culture? Take this program.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

You are beyond safe. If your family has any concerns, they shouldn't. Japan is one of the safest countries as far as crime is concerned. You are never truly alone, so many people are around you at all times, and there are police boxes every two blocks. The only way you can get into trouble is if you are being stupid. In Japan, its really hard to be stupid too. There are so many safety nets up for "if" scenarios that you will fall into them if something happens, and you will be fine. A few tips to make sure you are safe from yourself: 1. Its a moist place, but you need water. Drink a bunch and always have some on you. 2. Bring Aloe and pain medicine, and solid cold remedies. You can buy all these in Japan, but unless you have someone who understands you enough to know whats wrong and can read their labels well, or you can read the labels well, you are better off with your own. 3. Sunscreen. You will be out and about almost all the time. The Japanese do not like being "indoors" more than they can help. Your entire commute will be outside. 4. Keys. The only rampant form of crime in Japan is theft of homes while people are away. Keep your keys and do not lose them. 5. Cellphone. Same in the US, always having a line to someone is good. 6. Keep how much money you have and spend in mind. Always budget. Japan is expensive in some ways, and very very cheep in others. Learn and ask and you'll be fine. 7. DO NOT lost your train pass/tickets/card. This is the number one way anyone got in trouble. They wont lock you up or anything for it, you just get a long lecture from a police officer and have to pay again. 8. Taxis are expensive, know when your "last train" is. 9. You need to pack sports shoes. Something that can take on hills and stay whole for 3 months despite. 10. Never be late, be early. There is a clinic on campus that can help you, they are costly, and you get Japanese Medicine (which is different from ours), but they are there if you need them. Brush up on your medical terms/grammar before you go however, the doctors are not that great with English.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

All the Sensei's at the Kwansei Gakuin (the school you go to) highly encouraged you use Japanese. In fact they would only talk to you in Japanese unless the matter was serious/urgent. Your teachers in the Japanese language either were not as good at English as they let on... or they were pretending for your benefit. They teach you Japanese, in Japanese. Its truly an amazing thing. Thus I recommend you know SOME (past first year) before you go. Living in Japan means you get to use the language daily. Sure a great deal of the people know SOME English, and if you are seriously in trouble they will of course help you in English as they can. But for every day things you should be expected to try to use Japanese. Just because they know it, doesn't mean they like using it. Students are the exception, as well as some elderly. These people see you as a walking talking english teacher and will not pass the opportunity to practice saying "Hello, how are you, nice day isn't it," and more as their ability allows. My Japanese, and confidence using the language improved leagues due to this program. I have friends I have taken Japanese with that are already forgetting most of it, and I still retain mine.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family