Exchange with Kansai University made me fall for Osaka. Past Review
By James M (Japanese Language and Literature., University of Hawaii - Manoa) for
Kansai University: Suita - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was very much so worth while. I was able to attain a decent speaking level of Japanese, make plenty of friends from both Japan and around the world, and in the end I hope to return to Kansai University at least once during my next stay in Japan!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Exchange student classes were geared towards fast and slow paced tracks, and had somewhat of a large gap in b/t. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff was polite and generally gave information as needed, though somewhat curt on phones. Did speak English. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Obtaining the apartment was difficult, but worth the experience. |
| * Food: |
I cooked my own. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Visiting various Japanese festivals, shrines, eating unagi at a restaurant that's been around for over four-hundred years. Mostly day-to-day with sports club activities is what made this experience a good one. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Health issues were covered w/ insurance, and safety in Japan was naturally good. |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Mostly I worked on speaking by myself. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make sure you stay away from most of the international students! They tend to stick to themselves, and the best way to immerse yourself in life in Japan is to go out and make LOCAL friends. |
