Kansai Gaidai: An experience that will be with me for a long time Past Review

By (Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia., University of Northern Iowa) for

Kansai Gaidai University: Hirakata - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained international perspective, a multicultural education, and insight into another part of the world. The rating remains a 3/5 because although it was a great experience, personally I did not gain a great deal academically and had to move in an out of the seminar house twice during the midterms and right before finals putting a lot of stress on my shoulders. Academically, it only confirmed my current choice in a major, but it was a good way to see what it would be like if I had chosen another path.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

In some courses the grading system was not clear from the beginning. The class descriptions were different from the actual way it was graded. I would have also liked to know that classes are selected on a lottery system, and that there is the possibility for large gaps of time between classes.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Host family, friends, and other students. Yes, I did need to use it in everyday interactions. Most people did speak English.

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I advise future applicants to know exactly what they are getting themselves into before attending the university. I think those students who are interested in Japanese language study and seeing as much as Japan as possible would benefit the most from the program.