Adventurer in Hokkaido, Japan Past Review
By A student (Business/Corporate Communications., Elizabethtown College) - abroad from 04/02/2012 to 07/23/2012 with
Hokusei Gakuen University: Hokkaido - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned the way of living in different cultures and I gain countless friendships in Japan.
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. |
This is such a life-changing experience. I got some of the nicest Japanese teachers that I have ever met in my life who were so encouraging throughout the intensive course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was helpful and supportive during my time there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I enjoy my time with my host family the most. They treated me as if I am really part of the family. The love and the care that they have given me was the greatest support when I was far away from home. |
| * Food: |
The food is just amazing in Japan. The food and eating habit is quite different from the US, but everything that I have tried was delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had some hard time intergrating with the local culture at the beginning because of the huge cultural difference between the US and Japan. However, I really enjoyed all the interactions that I had there. I will never forget my experience dancing with a Yosakoi (Japanese tradition dancing) dance team. It was the best cultural experience ever. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The insurance that I had with BCA took care of all my needs there. The health care system is a bit complicated in Japan, but everything became simple with the help of my resident director. I just needed to make sure I kept all the records. |
| * Safety: |
Japan is a safe cuontry overall. I felt safe even walking home by myself 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) |
2.5 |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be mindful of what we are buying because it is exciting to see things that we don't normally see in our home country. |
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 |
5 |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | JLPT 4 |
| 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? | Just don't be afriad to make mistakes when you are speaking the language because that is how we learn the most. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 10+ |
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? | I wish I knew about the choices of club activities, so I would be more prepared and know what to bring with me. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
