Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Tokyo: Fantastic, Academics: Mixed Bag August 11, 2023

By (Linguistics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/28/2023 to 07/24/2023 with

Waseda University: Tokyo - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained more perspective on my life as a student in America while also growing into and learning a lot about a culture very different from my own. Yes it was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Felt like I learned a lot and had many good professors. However classes were mixed, some being far too easy and others being unnecessarily difficult/unreasonably large volume of work.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Didn't live in a Waseda dormitory but the university has plenty of affiliate housing to spare for when their own dorms fill up.

* Food:

Tokyo has incredibly good food and very cheap at least by American standards.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Lived with mostly exchange students but had opportunities to make local friends and go traveling to experience different areas and their respective culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No health issues, national health insurance was affordable and helped me feel more secure.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

My main goal going abroad was to learn more Japanese which I feel I was able to do despite some academic difficulties.

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to the grocery store and prepare food for yourself.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Classes are fully conducted in said language (basically no english spoken even from entry level)

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 4
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? Study vocabulary on your own outside of class

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • Language learning
  • Living on my own in Tokyo
  • Meeting people from all around the world
* What could be improved?
  • Course registration
  • University effort to integrate exchange students with local students
  • More space in classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Getting into the classes you want is not guaranteed and it is quite normal to not get into your desired class due to not enough space and a lottery registration system

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Linear Algebra and its Applications
Course Department: SILS
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Professor is very nice to students but the midterm and final were quite difficult and are worth most of the class grade. Very possible to drop credits if you take this course.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Art and Lifestyle of Japan as Seen Through Two Centuries of Arts and Crafts
Course Department: SILS
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very interesting and immersive class perfect for those studying abroad who want personal first-hand experience with Japanese history and culture.
Credit Transfer Issues: