Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My time in Japan: Seeing the culture in action. Past Review

By (Asian Studies/Civilization., Berea College) - abroad from 06/01/2013 to 06/30/2013 with

KIIS: Traveling - Experience Japan (Summer)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A better understanding of Japanes culture, commonalities of people globally, and my own reactions to a "bigger" world. Absolutly.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found one of my classes to be better than the other, but both were not what I was looking for in an academic setting. However being in Japan was enough of a learning experience to make up for that.

* 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?

I am a shy person and I do not have a particularly good grasp of Japanese and am therefore was even more self concious of speaking. So I do not feel as though I intergrated as well as I could have but that it was on me for that being the case.

* 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)

I didn't have as much a some of the other students and therefore needed to keep a tighter budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $125
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Money goes quick, so don't spend it too quick. Plus for Japan in the summer your going to want to bring at least about $25 for beverages.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

My host mother was the most encouraging.

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? JPN 101
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? If you have the confidance to do so and don't get embaressed when you make a mistake speak Japanese even when their using English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • That it wasn't as big a shock as I thought it would be.
  • Getting to see and experience new and different things.
* What could be improved?
  • Teacher professionalism, my professor swore alot and would go off on tangents.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That even though I didn't absolutly need to know it, I felt I needed a better handle on small and basic Japanese.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Warrior & the Poet: Japanese Literature
Course Department: AST/ ENG
Instructor: Sarah Hughes
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I found this class extremly challenging, I am not much of a Lit. person but thought taht this class would help me understand some cultural aspects better. However, we mainly stuck to fairly contemporary work and went off on odd tangents.
Credit Transfer Issues: