Amazing Study Abroad Experience April 16, 2024
By Leslie B (Japanese Language, Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/22/2023 to 11/30/2023 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Tokyo
I gained a new found sense of independence and confidence.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I got to live off campus and I really appreciated the opportunity to live off campus and meet people outside of my program. I also had a kitchen so I could cook myself breakfast and dinner since the university only offered lunch. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Japan. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really liked how the Middlebury program pushed you to speak Japanese every day and familiarize yourself with the local culture. |
Finances
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* 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) |
It was fairly easy to stick to my budget. I would cook for myself, which saved my a lot of money, but food was very affordable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We took the language pledge and would only speak Japanese in our program classes. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Japanese |
| 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? | Join university clubs and organizations to meet local students and practice your language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how much freedom I would get during this program. The program really lets you take control of your experience in Japan. |
