Japan: Language, not Tourism Past Review
By Arun V (Linguistics, related, Harvard University) for
Hokkaido International Foundation: Language and Culture Program
It was wonderful.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We learned a lot of new vocabulary, but it was used daily in our conversations about modern Japanese issues. In previous Japanese classes, I had not learned very much about modern Japanese societal issues, so this was very enlightening for me. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything was very well-organized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My host family prepared kosher food for me, above and beyond the call of duty. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Visit to Ainu Village in Shiraoi |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe and healthy. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget in advance. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2nd year |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
All students spoke English, but inside of the program building only Japanese was used. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make sure you're committed yourself to language learning. The program won't do everything for you. |
