My Semester in Japan Past Review
By A student (Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 03/22/2017 to 07/07/2017 with
IES Abroad: Tokyo - Language & Culture
My language skills certainly improved and I feel I also became more independent and confident. It was definitely worthwhile.
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. |
The classes were not challenging and sometimes not engaging. Some of the teachers did not seem qualified to teach their subjects. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES staff were amazing! They were super helpful and really friendly! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food in Japan is amazing! (But the food at the dorm was less good) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Although the program wasn't perfect, the aspects of it that were good were really great and made up for any other issues. |
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? | Transportation costs add up very quickly. Keep track of how much you spend on trains to save money. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 400 |
| 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? | A lot of the local students are studying English, so you may have to ask them specifically if you want to practice your Japanese. I asked my friends to speak Japanese with me and it really helped. Also sign up for any extra language opportunities and clubs if you have time. |
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? | Although the program name says Tokyo, the location of the university is about an hour outside of the city, and housing is at least that depending where you stay. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
