Unforgettable Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 04/30/2012 with
Columbia University: Kyoto - Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies / KCJS
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile! I learned a lot about Japanese culture and history and I loved being in Kyoto. There are a lot of shrines and places to visit and it's just a day's journey from other popular sightseeing areas like Nara and Osaka. I also had a great homestay experience and felt very comfortable living in Japan. KCJS has a challenging language program but I came out of it with more confidence in my Japanese skills.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
The lunch money given is plenty for cafeteria food but not quite enough for eating off campus. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Since the program cost included meals and subsidized transportation, you don't have to spend much money per week. However the extra costs of restaurants/souvenirs/sightseeing, etc can add up. Living on a student budget isn't hard, but it can get quite expensive depending on how much you want to indulge yourself. |
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? | Japanese 105 |
| 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? | I highly recommend getting a language partner, the teachers will help you find someone. I met my language partner about once a week for a few hours and half the time we spoke English and the other half Japanese. It was great practice not to mention a lot of fun hanging out. For better language immersion I also recommend choosing to live in a homestay instead of an apartment. |
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? | I can't think of anything major, I think KCJS's orientation prepared us for a lot of the difficulties we could encounter. One thing is that Japan sorts their garbage differently (burnable/nonburnable) so ask your host family how they separate their trash before you throw things away. There are also very few trash cans on the street, so you'll have to carry your trash home or find a convenience store that has a trash can in the front to dispose of it. |
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