Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Lots of fun, but only if you're not broke Past Review

By (Anthropology., Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/01/2013 to 07/08/2013 with

IES Abroad: Tokyo - Tokyo Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
-Embarrassment is a key motivator to learning a new language -It won't be easy to live in Tokyo for a gaijin, so you shouldn't slack off -You meet the most interesting people in unexpected places

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It would've been more interesting if we had stayed in a Japanese-style living arrangement rather than just a regular dorm with a bed.

* Food:

The NYC offers coupons for the cafeteria. I don't understand why we only had coupons to the cafes, which supplied insufficient meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Most of the time, we just hung out with each other, speaking English. However, as I was only a beginner, I didn't have many options

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

This is sort of N/A for me

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Tokyo is expensive, also I find it hard to find scholarships for summer programs

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Really no way to have fun and save at the same time in Tokyo. It's best you save up with a part-time job before coming here.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The entire program is a language program

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? This program is best suited for intermediate/advanced and up. It's hard to navigate around the city for a beginner.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • the freedom to roam
  • the people [both in and out of the program]
  • the food
* What could be improved?
  • the food [in the center]
  • add at least 1 more field trip
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Budgeting, seriously

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.