All I Could Have Wanted! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thoroughly enjoyed the intensity of the program. The professors were helpful and challenging but also incredibly friendly. However, sometimes there would be difficulty in conveying understanding within the classroom as their English is as limited as our (the students') Japanese. Sometimes their private encouragement could come across as a bit rude to a native English speaker, such as giving off the impression that the student isn't trying hard enough. However, if you understand the cultural differences and that they are are your supporter as a professor, it is a very enjoyable experience. I also thoroughly enjoyed the unique dorm life, as it is a very Japanese take on the American college school system.

On-site administration of your program

For the most part the Middlebury Advisor was the person I went to when I needed assistance. And her support was AMAZING. As for the ICU administration, it was so-so. Mostly due to the language barrier the vast majority of staff do not speak English. If you have no Japanese experience, this could be incredibly limiting as I had to rely on my language skills a lot to speak to the staff.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Global House, which is the international dorm on campus and loved my experience. I had my own room, part of a four room unit joined with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. I was able to meet both fellow international students and Japanese students. The majority of Japanese students had very good English but did not feel bad if you practiced your Japanese with them (in fact they tended to really enjoy it!). My room had everything I needed, and my dorm life was ideal.

I love Japanese food, so it was great to have so many Japanese options on a daily basis. However, the menu could tend to get really repetitive. Vegetarian options are rather limited but are available, and if you have enough Japanese skill you may be able to arrange a special meal with dining hall staff. Personally, I ate lunch with friends at the dining hall and then would look elsewhere for dinner, as the menu options tended to be whatever was left over from lunch.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated into the culture through a mixture of my own exploration as well as the cultural integration pushed by the program itself. Once I was able to really work as a part of the community outside of my international bubble, as well as the campus bubble, I felt like I belonged more so as a respectful foreigner who was privileged enough to enjoy the Japanese culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I dealt with my own health issues. When showing the college health staff sores on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet (which was later diagnosed as hand, foot, mouth disease which had been a Tokyo epidemic at the time), I was given a map to hopsitals and sent on my way. I was hardly able to walk due to the sores, which was why I went to the nurses in the first place. Fortunately for me my Japanese roommate was able to take me to a clinic to get me medicated and properly diagnosed.

Japan honestly feels like the safest place on earth to me. Of course you can always stay in groups and do what makes you feel comfortable, but I could be out by myself at night and feel a hundred percent okay.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Since I was being refunded my food costs from my Wellesley tuition (as ICU has no dining plan), I was able to live incredibly comfortably on that stipend. Otherwise I was making no money for myself.

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

It was a requirement for me to use the language.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The country and culture
• The people -- students, professors, and locals
• The classes

• More supportive ICU staff
• Greater variety of food options on campus
• More mixing amongst inernational and Japanese students

The Academic or Linguist