Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Good. The full exchange makes this program really nice. Past Review

By (Business Administration, Berea College) - abroad from 08/23/2014 to 12/19/2014 with

Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Asian Studies Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Many things about myself. And that Japan is much different than what I had imagined it, not necessarily in a good way.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The Japanese classes were challenging, but the lecture courses that I took were much easier than Berea College classes. It left plenty of time for travel and exploration.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They are very helpful if you have a problem.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Seminar House 1 and it was great. Okaasan and Otoosan were really nice. The dorm was always relatively clean. Since it was a smaller house most people knew each other and everyone was very friendly. There were plenty of cooking utensils to use after orientation week.The only down side really was that it was a 20 minute walk from campus, but really that wasn't so bad.

* Food:

The school cafeterias are all very well priced and taste very good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program gives many opportunities for you to have cultural experiences, you just have to pursue them. I highly recommend signing up for as many Experience Japan trips that you can throughout the semester.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any dealing with this so I do not know

* Safety:

From my experience everything was safe. There were a couple reports of girls getting groped on the shortcut home when they were walking home later than 12 at night though.

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)

Food in general was a little more expensive there, but not overly so. Travel is what will get you. It's not that expensive, but if you try to see as much as possible it will start to add up.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? The only actual expenses I had were food, about $75 a week

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

They have both a speaking partner program and home visit program to encourage language use. The language courses are also a lot more accelerated than at Berea.

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?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Full Exchange Payment
  • Near Kyoto
  • Good Language Courses
* What could be improved?
  • Need to get some Holidays off
  • More variety in Lecture courses
  • Not much to do in the city it's in
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A clearer idea of what to expect from the financial department at Berea. The first week in the dorms you can't cook. You should probably plan on getting a bike.

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 Linguist
You 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!