A Semester at Kansai Gaidai Past Review
By Gama R (English Ed, Washington State University) - abroad from 08/28/0015 to 05/27/2016 with
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Asian Studies Program
Living in a culture that's very different to western culture gave me a new perspective on life. My japanese improved, I made many friends from a variety of countries and got to explore Japan. Living in Japan is a lot different than living in the US or Mexico. The social norms are different and it's confusing at first. But if you an open mind it's very easy to adapt to. Most Japanese people get excited when you tell them that you're an exchange student and are usually willing to help. Just be respectful and try to eat all the Japanese food that you can.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| 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. |
Japanese language classes have mandatory attendance and you lose points every time you miss and don't have a doctors note. It makes it a little hard to travel but most professors understand that you want to explore Japan so they can work with you if you let them know ahead of time. You also have homework every week for Japanese language classes and for speaking class you meet five times a week for class. The classes that are taught in English are a different story, you only meet twice a week and those usually have a few essays and three or four tests (depending on the class) a semester with little to no homework but with a lot of reading. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Most of your questions about the program can be answered at the CIE. Didn't spend much time there but the few times I did the staff was friendly and helped me out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in seminar house 4, and it wasn't too bad. Sleeping on a futon is an experience. But I didn't spend most of time in the dorm. When I studied I usually went to one of the lounges. Both lounges are pretty big and there's one that's loud and the other is usually quiet. |
| * Food: |
I loved the food. There's a lot of good restaurant in Hirakata. Also the cafeteria food isn't bad and it's very affordable. Also if you're in a hurry the convenience store food in Japan is very decent and cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Meeting Japanese students if fairly easy. Since they're there to learn foreign languages and many of them want to study abroad. The school also offers a home visit program and a speaking partner program. Living in Hirakata is like living in a suburban town, it's up to you on how involved you want to get. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I only went to the school health center in campus once, when I had a sore throat. You're going to want to bring a Japanese friend or go to the CIE and ask for an interpreter. They gave me a few throat soothing candies gave me some throat medicine at no cost. So if its not something too serious I'd suggest checking this place out first. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe area to be at. Never once did I feel worried about my safety. Even when I was lost in Osaka in the middle of the night. If you're ever lost try to find a Koban (Police) box and they can usually help you. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
If you eat in the cafeteria everyday its very affordable. Roughly 2-3 US dollars. Eating out can be pricey (especially sushi) but it's always worth to try everything once. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 150$ a week or so. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try eating out less and buying groceries more often. Set a budget of how much you want to spend every week. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2 Semesters of 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? | Get a speaking partner or meet local students that want to learn your language. Get involved in the activities that the school sets up. And travel. |
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?
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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? | How expensive Bullet trains are and how expensive (some)fruit can be. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
