Living with a host family really helps Past Review

By (East Asian Studies., Wellesley College) for

Associated Kyoto Program: Kyoto - Doshisha University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES. It's all a very different experience for each person. I love traveling and staying with host families. It also reminds me of how there are so many different people around the world, yet we're all the same. I think what I like best is of course, not only getting to eat the food of a new place, but how your outlook is influenced. I think it can be good and bad, because I tend to adapt and blend into new places rather then sharing and establishing my own perspective, but I think it should be more 50-50. That isn't to say I completely throw my sense of self out, but I think it also shows that if one takes the time, you can come to understand anything.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Doshisha University (we just used their campus)
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months
The term and year this program took place: Full-Year 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I think that the courses were not as rigorous as those of my home institution, however, they were a good balance to the heavier language workload as well as allowing for time to be spent on commuting, with the host family, outside activities/exploration, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were so helpful 24/7, and my time in Japan would not be the same without the on-site AKP Office staff. They helped with any/all problems that came up, were always contactable...they're the best!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a house in Ukyo-ku off of Shijo-doori. <br /><br /> It was the best. I had my own room, but often joined my host family in our kitchen/dining/living room.

* Food:

Doshisha's dining hall and convenience store food is much better than Wellesley's dining food at any time of the day. My host mom's cooking was also superb.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I could have made a better effort to be more social. But I liked the activities I decided to do (koto and pottery), and I love my host family as I've said a multiple of times. Also, TRAVEL as much as possible. I took a trip almost every break-South Korea, Hokkaido, Kyushu. If I had the time and money, I would have done more.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I got sick during orientation shortly after arriving, and the program staff were very good at helping me.

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

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? AKP gives a lunch budget of 18000yen a month, and breakfast and dinner is covered by your homestay-and I tended to eat at home a lot vs. going out. I went with AKP's phone plan, which was about 25000yen a month...many people went on their own Softbank plans which ranged from cheaper to way more expensive...they also had to buy the phone first. I also got an electronic dictionary, which I highly recommend, which is probably around $250 for a decent one, although I heard you can by cheaper ones used, which I would recommend looking into.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you tend to get sick, healthcare/medicine even with Japan's National Health insurance can still be pricey. Transportation can also get up there depending on the amount of traveling that you want to do. Otherwise, your host family provides most things. Also, as I said above, remember about cellphone/electronic dictionaries/other things you might need.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 2nd year Japanese
Language acquisition improvement?

Living with a host family really helps with improving casual conversational skills. It also gives you a chance to practice what you learn in class in a natural environment. Not many people speak English, but I could get by with an electronic dictionary-which I highly recommend getting.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Think about why you are doing it.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Living with the Bomb; Culture in the Nuclear Age

Course Department:
Instructor: Ann Sherif
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A great class, it really gave me a perspective on the nuclear age and insights that I would have been able to see if it had been just taught in the U.S. The field trips and the people we met had enormous impacts on me.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not that I know of yet...but as Wellesley College is an AKP affiliate, all credits should transfer.
Course Name/Rating:

Minorities and Immigrants in Contemporary Japan

Course Department:
Instructor: Terry MacDougall
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Again, great class. You learn things that people hardly talk about/dare to talk about. Field trips were also essential to reinforcing what we were studying.
Credit Transfer Issues: same as above