Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun Experience in Japan Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/22/2018 to 11/20/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Tokyo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my Japanese language skills.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* 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?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Food and travel cost a little under $100 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Utilize the bikes the program offers to save money on bus rides.

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

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? 200 level Japanese, using the Tobira textbook
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? Get in the habit of speaking Japanese with your roommate.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The location
  • The food
  • The instructors
* What could be improved?
  • The coursework
  • Travel opportunities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that the ICU course would be above my Japanese level.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Peace and Human Rights
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Shin Chiba
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments: This course was offered through ICU, so the instructor was not aware of the language level of students in the study abroad program. As such, the course was very difficult to understand during class. However, the instructor was very accommodating and tried to help students in any way he could.
Credit Transfer Issues: No credit issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Japanese: J5
Course Department: Japanese Language Program
Instructor: Aki Shibukawa
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments: This course was appropriately challenging and the instructor was great.
Credit Transfer Issues: No credit issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Cultural Portfolio: Exploration
Course Department: Middlebury Schools Abroad
Instructor: Eda Sanae
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments: Course was not very challenging but offered plenty of opportunities to explore Japan and become immersed in local cultural activities.
Credit Transfer Issues: No credit issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Reflective Writing: ePortfolio
Course Department: Middlebury Schools Abroad
Instructor: Miki Arakaki
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments: Not very challenging coursework, but provided a chance to reflect on experiences abroad and to practice Japanese writing skills.
Credit Transfer Issues: No credit issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Community Engagement
Course Department: Middlebury Schools Abroad
Instructor: Eda Sanae
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments: This was a challenging experience to work at a local internship.
Credit Transfer Issues: No credit issues.