Being Miss Popular Past Review
By susan.peoples.58 (Organizational Communication, William Jewell College) - abroad from 03/28/2012 to 07/15/2012 with
IES Abroad: Tokyo - Language & Culture
I learned about my independence. I got to feel what it was like to be truly appreciated and learned to appreciate myself more.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved most of the on-site administration for my program. The assistant director and the student affairs liaison were really amazing! I had some issues with the woman in charge of housing, who embarassed me in public and intimidated me. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The facility I stayed at was new. However it had internet problems and the dorm manager was not helpful or approachable at all. |
| * Food: |
I had a full kitchen at my dorm , not a meal plan. It gave me freedom to eat what I wanted. I was especially grateful of this because my friends' dorms constantly spoke of indigestion and hate of the meal plan. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I especially felt integrated because of the non-IES classes I took at my host college and because I was staying in the official Kanda University women's dorm. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was constantly told by the program to go to them or to a doctor when I felt sick. However, I would have liked more details on what to do and what medicines were available at pharmacies, if any. Also, I know that Japan has a large pollen problem. I feel that students should be aware of this problem before going there, just so they can make precautions. |
| * Safety: |
I have never felt safer in my life than in Japan. Even more, I really liked that the program brought the Chiba Prefecture police in to give us specific safety tips dealing with Japanese culture. |
| 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) |
The cost of living is extremely expensive in Japan. I budgeted myself around $1000 a month and lived very easily. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-250/week |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Level 300 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | It's really easy to speak English because everyone wants to practice their English. Try to designate times with your Japanese friends to speak in English and other times to speak just Japanese. |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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 would have liked to know the expenses for things like the internet in the dorms. |
