Adventures in Tokyo Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/13/2018 to 07/31/2019 with
CIEE: Tokyo - Arts and Sciences
I learned a lot about myself and about life and culture in a foreign place.
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. |
In terms of the Japanese Language program, it was amazing. However, the other courses in the FLA program were not engaging in a way that I felt was efficient. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
A bit unorganized and going through a period of transition. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was fine, but no internet service in the rooms. |
| * Food: |
It was great and affordable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard to get super close with the local students, but joining clubs/circles greatly helps. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Access was more easier in theory but fewer locations and language barriers. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would like to go elsewhere in Japan since I had already been to Tokyo. |
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) |
It was really hard, despite the ease of convenience stores because I couldn't get hired I did not have a budget for food costs etc. I really had to dip into my savings. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I would say roughly $80-$100 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | WORK BEFORE YOU GO AND PUT THAT INTO YOUR SAVINGS. DON'T TOUCH IT UNTIL YOU GET THERE. |
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? | 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? | None |
| 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? | Review some key phrases beforehand and it will make being there much easier. |
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? | Registration about classes and certain logistics. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
