Kansai Gaidai Experience Past Review
By Jessica M (PSYCHOLOGY., Carleton College) for
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, it was an excellent experience, which I will always remember.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Japanese language courses were excellent, taught by local professors and all taught well. The other courses were all very easy, the professors were not very good or very dedicated. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
If you have dietary restrictions that might be a problem. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The temples and shrines are excellent, if you can go during the fall when the leaves change colors or spring when the cherry blossoms are blooming you are in for an amazing experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It was generally very safe, it is just a generally safe country. Of course that doesn't mean you can go crazy and not take care of yourself, but for the most part it is quite comfortable. Several people lost wallets and all were returned to local police boxes. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I was pretty well-informed. I didn't buy a bike because I didn't want to spend the money but it would have been useful. Also just don't underestimate the amount of money you will spend on buses and trains, as well as if you go out drinking or anything on the weekends. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had completed our intermediate courses. |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people spoke English, it is useful to make Japanese friends early on and make sure to have a healthy mix of Japanese and English (many Japanese students are studying English at the school). |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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