Leaving Home, Finding Home in Kyoto Past Review

By (Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures, Barnard College) for

Columbia University: Kyoto - Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies / KCJS

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My future plans definitely, without a doubt, include returning to Japan.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Langauge instruction was AMAZING, just like at Columbia only, if possible, more in-depth. Other classes were so-so.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration could be frustrating sometimes, but when my friends and I were involved in a difficult situation, everyone was extremely helpful and supportive.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I felt like a family member; I was 15 minutes away from school by bike, 40 from nightlife/shopping; it was wonderful.

* Food:

SO AMAZING THAT I GAINED 15 POUNDS

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

annual trip to Okayama! but they're getting rid of it sadly.... went to Kobe and Osaka with friends; went to Tokyo on fall break. travel if you can; so worth it. the luminarie in December in Kobe was magical.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Extremely safe environment; just be careful with all-you-can-drink places........

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? between $50-200+, depending on if I went shopping/travelling
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It's a cash society, which I actually found very helpful as I always knew exactly how much I was spending and how much I had left. I have much more trouble managing money in New York.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Third Year II
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Definitely live with a host family. You can skate by on English but I don't recommend it. It's best if you use Japanese to conduct your day-to-day life. We spoke English with our friends in the program, which was kind of disappointing--we weren't supposed to, but a difference in level made it difficult to maintain.

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • host family
  • interactions with Doshisha and Kyoto U students
  • friends within the program
* What could be improved?
  • some administrative things
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The positive things I gained from this experience far outweighed the flaws and day-to-day grievances. Appreciate every day as much as you can, and I don't like saying corny things like that--before you know it it'll be over and one day you'll give anything to be back.