Challenges Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/27/2019 to 12/13/2019 with
Columbia University: Kyoto - Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies / KCJS
Independence and understanding how to live on my own was a worthwhile experience. The history was incredible.
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. |
The language programs were incredibly rigorous with daily lessons amounting to about 2 hours every day. The outside subject courses were considerably less challenging. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director of the program was new this year, but both he and the larger office staff were incredibly helpful with everything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in an apartment was a great way to gain independence. Some students could be very far from campus however. |
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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? |
No
The rigor of the academic program made it difficult to apply the skills that we learned in the real world |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is difficult to buy in bulk here |
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 |
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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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? | It is important to try to find a balance |
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. |
