The Hiroshima and Peace Program was a life-changing experience! Past Review
By Mandie B (Peace Studies, University of Hawaii - Manoa) for
Hiroshima City University (HCU): Hiroshima - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I have changed my Peace Studies focus to an Asian concentration. I see Japan as a perfect model for others to live in peace and want to advocate peace for the rest of my life!
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | HIroshima City University |
| 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. |
Some teachers who did not have English as their first language were difficult to understand. Some prepared lectures that were hard to follow and tangential. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of my expectations were met. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Neighborhood was in a safe area, but the home was a 2-hour distance from the university where I went to school every day. It was extremely inconvenient to not be able to stay out after school for as long as the other students just because of the commute and needing to get home at a decent hour. I hardly was able to eat dinner with my host family because of this, and not to mention it was also very expensive to travel farther by train. |
| * Food: |
Cafeteria was good, but could have had more options for people with dietary restrictions. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We took full advantage of days off, traveling to Miyajima and to Rabbit Island, going shopping at Hondori, and doing other social events outside of class. The program would be even better though, if it was longer to allow for more time to do things outside of class with the group. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was never a concern while I was in Hiroshima. I never witnessed any crime. |
| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would do this program again in a heartbeat if I could. You gain so much knowledge about personal peace and social peace, and how people live so peacefully in Japan as a model for other countries. I have not only a new educational path now, but I also have new friendships and memories that have made my cup of happiness completely overflow. |
