Japanophilia! My adventures in the Far East. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Similar to my language classes at Wesleyan, The Japanese program at Nanzan University consists of 2-3 hour language classes every morning 5 days a week, in addition to placement either with a host family or Japanese speaking housemates or roommates in dorms. The course offering outside language are lecture courses in social sciences related to Japan including Arts and Culture, History, Linguistics etc. These classes were not as challenging as my classes at Wesleyan since they did not include extensive amounts of reading, or require any class participations or discussions in class.

On-site administration of your program

The IES representatives for the Nagoya Programs are both bilingual academics who have experience studying in both Japan and the U.S. They were very eager to discuss topics concerning both countries, very attentive to all of the participating students academic, health, and personal needs, and they were both very capable at using technology. We were able to reach them at any time of day by email, telephone, or text, which was very helpful. The IES group is kept small (around 30 people out of the 150 or so enrolled at Nanzan) so group members form very good relationships with each other. I was shocked at the first-rate accommodations, meals, and activities that IES paid for during our travel. For example, we stayed at a Japanese Inn where the Imperial Family also stayed, we had formal traditional Japanese style meals with live entertainment such as Geishas and Comorant Fishing, and visited places a variety of places from Eiheiji Temple near Takayama to Nijo Castle in Kyoto.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had the best host family experience of all of my peers. I became very close with my host parents, little brothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My home was about 35 minutes from Nanzan University, I first had to ride my bicycle about 10 minutes to the station then take a 20 minute train ride and walk another 5 minutes to campus (students should probably have a basic level of physical fitness). I was around an hour from the the center of Nagoya where there is the most active nightlife, shopping, museums etc. The trains also stop around 12:30 am so students must speak with their host families to let them know if they are not coming home on the weekends. Placement and accessibility to Nagoya vary depending on housing placement, but I think the average commute for people was 45 minutes. I was not treated special in anyway by my host family, I was expected to keep my room clean, help out around the house, and make an effort to get to know everyone. This is probably to most challenging thing to get used to at first but if you make an effort to become part of the family, it is the most rewarding part of the abroad experience.

My host mother prepared breakfast and dinner for me daily. I am an extremely picky eater with a shellfish allergy however I was placed with a family where my younger brother also had many allergies as well; the most important aspects of dining in Japan are to keep an open mind, and to try everything. A typical breakfast for me consisted of rice, miso soup, fish, fruit, vegetables, or a piece of "ogura toast" toast with red bean paste and a coffee. Dinners usually consisted of fish, rice, noodles, and vegetables. Japanese customs including saying "itadakimasu" I am humbly going to eat this, before the meal and "gochisosamadeshita" thank you for the meal, after the meal are taken very seriously. Nanzan dining halls are not particularly good but there is a good Chinese restaurant, Turkish restaurant, and ramen restaurants nearby off campus. Other areas with numerous delicious restaurants are Osu Kannon, Kakuozan, Sakae and Fushimi.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

For the following three trips we stayed in traditional japanese inns equivalent to 4-star hotels, with hot springs, and elaborate multiple course meals. The days are pretty structured and packed with activities and tours, although we usually had about one to two hours of free time during the day to explore areas on our own. -Kanazawa -Takayama -Kyoto -Wicked the Musical- We went to see the famous broadway hit in Japanese which extremely interesting. -Kodo- This Taiko Concert at the Aichi Art Center with the IES group was amazing. Although I was deaf for the entire next day, I feel lucky to see the amazing strength and discipline that the human body is capable of, and the beauty that comes from this.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Nagoya is around 10 years overdue for a large earthquake however, all building are constructed with this in mind and IES has a very detailed, thorough emergency warning-contact system. During my stay in Nagoya I experienced 3 small earthquakes and one very large flood (for which we missed school because the subways were underwater) but no one experienced any injuries. All students are required to purchase Japanese national healthcare in addition to their international healthcare policy. If you get sick you simply go to the local doctor near your home and see a doctor within 5 minutes, then you go next door to the adjoining pharmacy to pick up your medications-it is highly efficient.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

In Nagoya, there are many less English speakers in comparison to other large cities such as Tokyo or Kyoto where high levels of international business and/or tourism make it necessary to accommodate English speakers (and create obstacles for Japanese Language Learners.) Nanzan University has a Japan Plaza where students are not permitted to use English, a Friendship Club where students can make Japanese friends, in addition to a friendly staff who is always willing to practice Japanese with you. Japanese Language does become a part of your everyday interactions either with teachers, host families, or even other international students. I would say that during my time abroad I used Japanese at least 75% of the time.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel

Select all that apply

• Host Family

• Weekend All Expenses Paid Trips
• Host Family Placement
• Discounted and Free Events, Shows, Activities around Nagoya

• More course offerings
• Cell phone advice (it would be better to have AU rather than Piccell)
• Longer Orientation