I explored Japan every moment I could. Past Review
By A student (Health Policy Analysis., Brandeis University) - abroad from 03/23/2014 to 07/31/2014 with
CIEE: Tokyo - Arts and Sciences
It was definitely worthwhile. I learned that I loved exploring Japan and will definitely return.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses in Sophia University were definitely much easier than the courses in Brandeis University; even so, I still had to study and engage with the class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I (along with my friends) found the team very disorganized. Meetings would run 3 hours long because they misplaced items. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a very warm host family. The apartment was approximately an hour away from the school and center of Tokyo. |
| * Food: |
Simply delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had many chances to integrate with the Japanese community. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a week-long illness that combined both heat sickness and food poisoning. Even so, I was rarely given medicine or advised as to what I should do. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe city! However, I was stopped by a police for no reason. My friend was stopped three times! In all these times, we were simply walking or waiting for people. |
| 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) |
I budgeted before I went abroad. I know some friends who spent a lot of money though. It really depends on you if you spend $1000 a week or $200 a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Think about your luggage space before you buy! |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | JAPN 105A 1 - Advanced Conversation and Composition |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Japanese college classes and education are not as rigorous as American counterparts. |
