Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Plan to live there. (perhaps forever) Past Review

By (Japanese Studies, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater) - abroad from 03/09/2015 to 02/11/2016 with

Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies: JASIN: Japan Studies in Nagasaki Study Abroad Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a deeper and more fluent understanding of Japanese through constant use of it. I learned that being in japan was incredibly fun and not being there makes me sad but determined to get back there. As for was it worthwhile, I plan to live there (perhaps forever) as soon as i can.

Review Photos

Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies: JASIN: Japan Studies in Nagasaki Study Abroad Program Photo Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies: JASIN: Japan Studies in Nagasaki Study Abroad Program Photo Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies: JASIN: Japan Studies in Nagasaki Study Abroad Program Photo Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies: JASIN: Japan Studies in Nagasaki Study Abroad Program Photo Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies: JASIN: Japan Studies in Nagasaki Study Abroad Program Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

The expense of a homestay is definitely worth the experience. The conversations and learning is better than that of dorms.

* Food:

As a part of a host family I never once had to go to the cafeteria except for lunch. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily by a host family member and for me it was all incredibly delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Thanks to the School and then return to a host family, i was almost completely a part of the Japanese culture. there is only a slight separation that could only be achieved by going so far as to join the working community of japan.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The rating of 70 isn't because it was bad in any way but rather I never had a health issue and so i don't know.

* Safety:

I was all over Nagasaki throughout my year because very soon after i arrived i purchased and commuted mostly by bicycle and the safety i had even at late hours was very high.

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

Everyone in the program was incredibly helpful, kind and very informative. They also provided opportunities to experience japan in ways that would have been hard to find on my own.

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)

Once you are past the expense of tuition and homestay bill, personal living expense beyond that is close to nothing if you want it to be. Using a bicycle rather than buying bus and tram trips also saves a good deal of money on the long run.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? average = $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? *A bicycle saves money on bus and tram fare. * refrain from snacking/bing shopping.

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

living with a host family that did not know english at all I used Japanese every single day and i loved it.

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? Japanese 3
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? *host family * japanese friends

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?
  • Host family (beneficial in more ways than i care to summarize)
  • Nagasaki (biking nagasaki was one of my best decisions)
  • The language (hearing it wherever you go)
* What could be improved?
  • expense (not much can really be done about this but money would simply be my first complaint)
  • length (a year is not long enough)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? *beware of centipedes *you might get sick of rice *I was fortunate to get two really nice host families (6 months or so each) but some of my friends talked of families that were pretty bad.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'