The Best Summer Past Review
By A student (Art, Japanese Language, University of Texas - San Antonio) - abroad from 06/10/2012 to 08/09/2012 with
Critical Language Scholarship Program: CLS Japanese
My ability to use Japanese in conversation improved greatly. I've also become more independent. This experience was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Doshisha Daigaku |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There were four levels that students were placed into. I was placed in the lowest level and found the material to be far too simple. The classes were very good and taught very well, but I don't feel that it matched my level. |
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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? |
All students were required to homestay for one month and live in an apartment for one month. I though the homestay was better, but both were fine. |
| * 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? |
I personally had no health issues during my stay. There were a few students who caught colds and mentioned that Japanese medicine is weaker than American medicine. I don't know if this is true. The only thing that really bothered me was that I couldn't have decongestants because something in them is illegal in Japan. |
| * Safety: |
The city was very safe, but my host mother told me that my apartment was located in "a bad part of town." Nothing ever happened to me, though one of the other students was groped at the convenience store near the apartments. It's best to just travel with someone else. I think this is pretty common knowledge, but don't walk around alone at night. |
| 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) |
One of the other students calculated that the most anyone should probably spend in one week is $100. While staying with my host family I only spent about $7-$10 per week. Occasionally I would spend more on the weekends if I went shopping or sightseeing. When I moved into the apartment I spend more money buying food, but was still able to stay within the $100 per week limit. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * 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? | When living with my host family, about $7-$10 per week. When living in an apartment, about $15-$25 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure that you budget 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 |
While on Doshisha's campus all program participants were required to speak Japanese at all times. We were also required to use only Japanese with our host families, our peer tutors, Doshisha faculty and staff, and our resident director. If we failed to do this we would receive warnings and eventually be dropped from the program. |
| 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? | UTSA's Business Japanese course |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Don't be afraid to make mistakes. It'll only hold you back. There will be times when you're burnt out and tired of trying. That's okay. When this happens just listen to music or watch TV in your foreign language. It doesn't take a lot of effort and you'll still passively work on your language ability. If you're still feeling burnt out after that, just take a break from everything. Go on a walk to clear your head. |
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? | The teaching methods and styles in Japan differ from those in America. |
