Let's Go Again! Past Review
By Schyler T (International Affairs And Commerce, University of the Pacific) - abroad from 03/30/2012 to 07/13/2012 with
Kwansei Gakuin University: Nishinomiya - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, it was worthwhile. I gained a much better understanding of Japan and its people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
So. Much. Kanji... |
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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? |
My host families are both excellent. |
| * Food: |
Both host families mothers are excellent cooks and Japanese food in general seems to be very good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Japan is very different from Western culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Access to hospitals is easy, and the school makes sure every student has some kind of health insurance. |
| * Safety: |
Japan is an extraordinarily safe country, definitely safer than the US. |
| 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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| * 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? | On food, about $20; on other expenses, about $40. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If it's frivolous, make sure you REALLY want it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Well, over half my classes are primarily for learning the local language. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Low intermediate, probably. Advanced beginner at least. |
| 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? | Study like you mean it. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? |
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? | Better Japanese |
