Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Perception of Japan from a new perspective Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/29/2017 to 06/30/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Tokyo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I believe my Japanese fluency improved and I am more confident to talk in front of native speakers now. It was worthwhile in my opinion.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I am really dissatisfied with the Middlebury school in Japan program administration because I did not receive enough guidance (e.g. I was left at the airport alone the first day I got to Tokyo, and I almost missed the last train to the university). Situations like this had happened many times throughout the program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Both housing condition and administration are awesome!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to go to dentist during my time in Tokyo and I did not receive any help from the program administration, partly because I was able to guide myself through the process but I know many of my friends found it difficult to seek for healthcare support by themselves.

* Safety:

Tokyo is really safe.

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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 campus of host university
  • The city
  • The program participants
* What could be improved?
  • The program instructor
  • The credit transfer system
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about getting a language fluency certificate right after the program.

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:

Data Analysis for Researchers
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Taisei Kaizoji
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was rather easy because it was basically a step-to-step instruction lab. The professor is pretty knowledgable in his field. I found myself participate more than I did at Middlebury. I was assessed based on weekly assignments, a final paper and presentation.
Credit Transfer Issues: I did not plan to transfer the credit back.
Course Name/Rating:

Japanese
Course Department: Language
Instructor: Hagiwara
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments: It was easier than the japanese classes in Middlebury. The professor is pretty knowledgable in her field. I found myself participate less than I did at Middlebury. I was assessed based on assignments, a midterm and final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Accounting
Course Department: Business
Instructor: Tokugawa
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments: It was very challenging because it consisted of lecture completely in Japanese without any slides or handouts. The teacher was rather cursive in lecturing and I barely participated because of the language barrier. I was assessed based on exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: I did not plan to transfer the credit.