Past Review
By Lauren O (Japanese Language, The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Tokyo - Language & Culture
My study abroad experience was very worthwhile. My language skills improved a lot, and I had the opportunity to assimilate into a culture different from my own. I learned a lot about myself, matured greatly, and had a lot of fun. Studying abroad in Japan let me not only improve my academic skills, but also taught me how to live on my own.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Meikai University, Kanda 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. |
The Japanese educational system was a little more rigorous than the American system I was used to, but I do feel as though I learned a lot more than I would have by taking a semester of Japanese language in the States. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES staff was always available to help, and everyone was always very friendly! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with two host families during my stay in Japan, and both were close to my university. <br /><br /> My host families were great! They helped me with my language skills, and both the families I lived with were very sweet. However, if you have a host family that has small children, be prepared for a lot of noise. I always had to go study or work at the school because it was too noisy to work at my host family's house. |
| * Food: |
The food in Japan is delicious (even the food in the convenient store) and very healthy. Don't ignore the "conbini" in Japan! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were many clubs through the host college available for the study abroad students to join. The only catch was because they were run by the host college, the clubs were in Japanese, so a higher level of language competence was required to fully experience the clubs. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Japan is a very safe country, and my friends and I all lived in safe neighborhoods. I never had to worry about safety risks. Be aware that in Japan, the weather can change rapidly from day to day (sometimes from hour to hour!) and catching colds was a common occurence for me and my friends. I got very sick the first week I was in Japan due to the cold weather (I got a chest infection) but the IES staff took me right away to the clinic to get anti-biotics. Bring allergy medicine, and make sure to be mindful of the weather and dress accordingly! |
| 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? | No- everything I had to spend money on I expected to spend money on. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | JPN412k |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The fact that the language intensive Japanese class was taught in Japanese, it helped to improve my language skills. The thing that helped me to improve my language skills the most was living with a Japanese host-family. |
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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* Who did you take classes 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? | If you are wanting to learn Japanese, make sure to to take the language intensive track (this is critical!). If you are wanting more of a chance to integrate into the cutlure, make sure to choose the home-stay option. Be prepared to work hard! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Social Organization of Japan |
| Course Department: | AN392 |
| Instructor: | Tada |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This class was very rewarding. I was able to work as a shrine maiden at a famous local shrine - a rare opportunity for a foreigner to Japan. However, the class was incredibly demanding and finding time to fit in the readings, papers, projects, and also work from 9-4 every Wednesday made the semester a little hectic. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I did not have an issue but I was able to get this class evaluated as upper division religious studies. My advice is to not be afraid to ask to see if this class can be evaluated for different majors. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Manga and Anime: Digital Culture in Contemporary Japan |
| Course Department: | AN343 |
| Instructor: | Robert Hyland |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This class was interesting. I did not feel as though it was too difficult or too easy - a good class! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Comprehensive Japanese |
| Course Department: | JP311 |
| Instructor: | Mitsuhashi-sensei, Horiuchi-sensei |
| Instruction Language: | Japanese |
| Comments: | This course taught me a lot, but I have never worked so hard in my entire life. I felt like the hard work paid off, though. If you are serious about learning the language, take the language intensive track! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No credit transfer problems |
