My time in Japan was the best thing that has ever happened to anyone. Past Review
By A student (International Studies Asia, Point Loma Nazarene University) - abroad from 01/30/2012 to 05/30/2012 with
Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was absolutely worthwhile. I gained a global perspective. I learned what its like to be a foreigner in a new country. I learned whats its like to not be able to communicate to the people around you. I learned what its like to be part of a 'we' instead of an 'I'. I learned much more than what be put into words, but I know that this experience has had a profound impact on me and will change my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Japanese Languages classes were very rigorous and I learned so much from these wonderful classes. The lecture courses contained a vast amount of information, but minimal work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
This program was absolutely amazing. The student center was always open and helpful during the day and the dorm staff were always available and willing to help as well. The program was very organized and everything was executed without flaw. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms were wonderful to live in. Being close to campus was great. There were plenty of stores and restaurants near by. There was a bus stop about a block away. The nearest train station was about a ten minute walk. Very accessible area. |
| * Food: |
There was a great variety of food in the area. In and around train stations is always packed with restaurants. Also, convenience stores are everywhere in Japan, stocked with ready made or easy to make food. There are also near-by grocery stores. I found it very easy to eat out and cook while there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel that I became very integrated. I joined a tennis club at my university, and I was the only international student in the club at that time and the rest were all Japanese students. I became very close with them. Also, I had a friend from class whose family I would visit on the weekends sometime. I got to experience family life in a traditional setting. Her family would also take me on trips in the local area to show me activities the family likes to do on a regular basis. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We were very well informed of what procedures would need to be taken if we were to fall ill. There was always someone available to go to the hospital with us (a Japanese speaker) to help us if we needed medical attention. |
| * Safety: |
Japan in general is just a very safe area. I never once felt unsafe or threatened in my area. |
| 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) |
Japan has a high cost of living. Also, I wanted to try many things and travel a lot so I spent quite a bit. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 300.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you find local deals for traveling/transportation that would be helpful. Also find cheaper places to eat. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | No language courses prior to departure. |
| 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? | Make Japanese friends and/or join a club. While the students speak English at Kansai Gaidai and will talk to you mostly in English, they will practice Japanese with you and teach you many phrases. Also, they will speak to each other in Japanese, so you can practice your listening skills. You will pick up many things just by listening to them talk to each other. They will also help you with home work and studying, they just ask you help them with their English too! |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | The program made everything known in advance that you would need to know. |
