A mixed bag Past Review
By A student (Japanese Language and Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/30/2011 to 04/21/2012 with
Associated Kyoto Program: Kyoto - Doshisha University
It was definitely worthwhile. I gained a really strong relationship with my host family, I grew really comfortable in Kyoto, and I did learn a good chunk of Japanese.
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. |
The classes were interesting, but much less intense and rigorous than classes at my home institution. There were limited resources for any kind of further exploration of topics (research materials, etc.) outside of what was presented in class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I did not feel that the administration was supportive or particularly helpful to students. I tended to avoid the administrative office as much as possible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family, which was arranged by the program, and they were absolutely fabulous. They taught me so much and we developed a strong connection over the course of my stay. I really feel like I've gained another family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
At home, I was completely integrated, but I did not feel like the program was well integrated into the school culture. It was difficult to find information on things like student clubs and associations (the administrative staff didn't seem to know where or when they met, or who to contact about them), and since there were almost no Japanese students in our classes, it felt like a separate school from Doshisha. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experience with this personally, since I had no health issues, but the program provided health care and seemed eager to help students who got sick. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe at all times and in pretty much every place I went. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
The program provided stipends to cover meals and some limited cultural exploration and provided housing through host families. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Usually very little, less than $20 a week. Most of my personal spending was on travel during breaks. |
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 |
We used the language during language classes, but the program did not really do much to encourage its use in other classes or during non-class times. I used the language most at home, because that's how I communicated with my host family. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Japanese 232 (3rd year level) |
| 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? | Host families are amazing for this. If you can find a local club or group that focuses on one of your hobbies or interests, that could be a really good way to practice too. |
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? | I wish I knew how little contact I would have with local students. Also, I wish I had known more about the Japanese language program. I was disappointed with the way the classes were run. |
