Immersion in Japan: Difficult, Frustrating, but Rewarding Past Review
By Yiling D (Economics., Wellesley College) for
Japan Women's University: Tokyo & Kawasaki City - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My Japanese ability improved, and I took the opportunity to travel and take up photography. However, I definitely missed the challenging and interesting classes back at Wellesley.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | I was also cross-registered at Waseda University School of International Liberal Studies. |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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 |
There was minimal information provided. I was a little unsure of what to expect when I arrived. The office is very friendly when you seek help, and although they try to offer some help with finding internships or part-time work, there was minimal guidance. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined an international exchange circle at Waseda University, which allowed me to meet other exchange students and some Japanese students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Tokyo is a very safe and clean city. There is a required Japanese health insurance and pharmacies everywhere. I had no problems with health and safety in Tokyo. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | Food and clothing are expensive in Japan. Students should anticipate having to re-acclimate themselves to a higher cost of living. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Japanese II |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student eager to explore the city, do a lot of traveling, and speak Japanese all the tie, would benefit from the experience the most. Students looking for solid Japanese courses or interesting classes in other areas will be disappointed. |
