Expensive but Worth It Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 03/14/2016 to 06/25/2016 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Tokyo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot of Japanese. I learned how to explore a new city. I learned that I need to push myself to be out of my comfort zone. I learned that if I put my mind to it and study, languages aren't actually difficult.

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.

Colleges in Japan are not rigorous in the same way colleges in America are, but ICU was a great educational experience anyway. The Japanese classes move at a fairly decent pace, and while they aren't perfect the supplement in the form of living in Japan makes them worthwhile.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Middlebury is really on top of their game. I never felt like I could not go to someone for help, or that something was spinning drastically out of control. Everything ran very smoothly.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm itself is five stars - Dialogue House is a great (albeit expensive) place to live. However your roommate will not be Japanese most likely, which is not what either of my schools told me. It's fine, but a bit of warning if you are only going for the term.

* Food:

The cafeteria food is edible. Lots of curry everyday, which I like, but not many vegetarian options which was unhelpful for quite a few people in the program. It also isn't overly healthy.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

You have to put your self out there in order to feel included - that should be expected. ICU makes that easy. I joined a club at the club fair they offer twice a year, for both September students and April students, so I wasn't alone when I joined. Everyone was really nice. Middlebury also makes you take a community engagement course in order to integrate yourself with a local population. I thought my placement was fine. It was a nice enough experience.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't use the health care at all.

* Safety:

Japan is the safest place you can possibly be, whether its noon on a workday or Saturday night/Sunday morning at 5am stumbling home from a club. I never felt unsafe. As long as you are aware of your surroundings, and keep your head on straight, everything will be fine.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would have chosen to be there for a year rather than a semester. I can only imagine how good I would be at Japanese if I had done what I was doing for 10 months instead of three.

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)

Tokyo is EXPENSIVE. I would budget 100 dollars a week for groceries, transportation, and one fun activity - I mean I blew through 500 bucks my first week there! You really need to budget, otherwise you will have a hard time. I suggest walking. On top of that, Wellesley had some financial aid issues, I think because this was the first semester this program was offered, so we were technically shorted money twice. Obviously I should be grateful we even get financial aid, but when they realized we should have had an extra 400 bucks for food that we were allotted, lets just say that would have been really helpful.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Bare minimum (lunch at cafeteria 17 times a week, two cheap meals out, 1 bus there and back) 8700 yen; I spent an extra 2000 yen per week on fun things like movies.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Walk. I know Kichijoji is a bit far, but do that twice a week and you've saved 10 bucks. Tokyo Cheapo and Time Out Tokyo's one dollar sign meals are delicious. Buy breakfast food from the grocery store and make scrambled eggs in your microwave. Also if you can, just save before you get here. You want to have fun, and that means spending money.

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

2 words - language pledge.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level - senior level.
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? Actually use the language. Read Japanese books and magazines. Go to Japanese parties. Join a club. You can't expect to get better if you don't talk to anyone!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The support
  • The Language learning
  • The people I met
* What could be improved?
  • Enforcing language pledge
  • LET US WORK BAITO
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have studied Kanji for the placement exam. Which I knew, but just didn't do.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.