Hirakata is great Past Review
By Stanley A (Asian Studies, Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 08/25/2014 to 06/03/2015 with
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Asian Studies Program
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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. |
Excellent for what is advertised. Intense daily language course taught exclusively in Japanese and more lax lecture classes in English that meet twice a week. The professors teaching the lecture classes are very lenient and often encourage students to travel and see the country. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful, all staff on hand is bilingual in English and Japanese. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was great. |
| * Food: |
I ended up eating curry rice every day in the cafeteria because it was the cheapest most filling option. |
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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? |
Japanese health care is excellent. Be sure to enroll once you arrive in the country. |
| * Safety: |
Remember to lock up your bike so that it doesnt get stolen. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep a journal or a note that you update with every expense. I found myself buying snacks and drinks from vending machines more frequently than normal because the convenience is everywhere. Dont get taken in by it! |
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? | AP Japanese |
| 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? | The Host family housing option is the best way to advasnce your language skills outside of the classroom. You wake up and go to sleep speaking Japanese. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | What do Japanese university students do for fun in their free time? They don't even know, so good luck figuring out how to invite them to things. |
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! |
