Japan gave me a whole new perspective on life. Past Review
By Dana W (French Language Teacher Education., University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh) for
Guy Healy, Japan: USA Summer Camp - Camp Counselor and Cultural Immersion Experience in Japan
I learned a lot, but it was exhausting work! My body was so exhausted. However, I recommend this program to anyone interested in teaching abroad !
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned so much about myself during this program. There was no education involved; I spent the summer teaching English to Japanese students in a Summer Camp setting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Japanese staff was really friendly and helpful. Guy Healy, an American who founded the program way back when, is one of the nicest of fellas that you'll ever meet. The Japanese staff was great about getting us detailed information as well as answering our questions. We were always taken care of. It was frustrating dealing with the communicative cultural differences, however. For example, Japanese people do not communicate when they are unhappy with you. You may be doing something wrong and not know it, because no one will tell you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We stayed in a public facility called Global Arena, basically a sports complex with public bathing and dormitory style sleeping quarters. Overall the food wasn't bad; we never went hungry. It was a very isolated facility, however. It was hard to get anywhere on days off. |
| * Food: |
I enjoyed eating Japanese food! It is very different from American food, so keep an open mind and try EVERYTHING. It is considered rude not to take some of EVERYTHING in Japan, even if you do not intend on eating it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I met so many Japanese friends and American friends; I learned so much about culture and every-day life in Japan! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Japan is the cleanest and safest country in the world. I did not speak Japanese and never felt threatened; there was always someone there to help. however, not a lot of people speak English or another western language; so beware! (not that you should expect them to!0 |
| 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) |
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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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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? | Be open, and do not judge. This is a culture entirely different from ours. be accepting, not critical. |
