Tokyo Arts & Sciences Past Review

By (East Asian Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 03/26/2017 to 07/31/2017 with

CIEE: Tokyo - Arts and Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I've never been outside of the US before and I honestly believe that there wasn't a better place for me to visit. Japan is a beautiful country with kind people. CIEE supported my transition into my host country seamlessly and assisted me along the way. They gave me autonomy to explore but provided services as needed. Our field trips helped me understand Japanese culture better too.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The CIEE staff is warm and inviting! They truly care for their students and do their best to support them in any way. I am thankful for all that they did.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our dorm manager was great and listened to the needs of his residents. The area was a quiet town outside of central Tokyo. It was nice to see the difference in suburban and city life in Japan.

* Food:

JAPANESE FOOD IS THE BEST.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Japan is an extremely safe country. I've never felt in endangered or uncomfortable. Everyone was kind.

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)

Tokyo can become expensive. Just make sure to budget and stick with it!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150

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

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? JPN 30a
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • location
  • participants
  • staff
* What could be improved?
  • education on differences in teaching practices
  • education on navigating a different academic sphere
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew realistically how much I should be budgeting each week and how to follow my budget more closely.

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.'