Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Tokyo is fun! August 01, 2023

By (Japanese Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/28/2023 to 06/23/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Tokyo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and about Japan as a whole. I think it was valuable in shaping my future.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone was very friendly, but they have some policies that are potentially troublesome for transgender students who may have been using a different name at their home school.

* 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

ICU was not a very stressful school and I was able to explore Tokyo without stressing about getting an apartment.

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? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you have to get tested for Celiacs Disease it will not be covered by Japanese National insurance, so do it before you come to Japan.

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? Third year Japanese
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Dormitory in Tokyo
  • Fun trips
* What could be improved?
  • Accessibility
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Some of my medications are NOT offered in Japan despite what I was told. Triple check the availability of all your medications months in advance before leaving.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Japanese Archeology

Course Department: Archeology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

ジェンダー、セクシュアリティと批評理論
Course Department: Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Japanese History
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

History of Eastern Europe
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Russian 1

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: