Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Horrible decision ... Past Review

By (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University) - abroad from 10/06/2014 to 08/01/2018 with

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University: Beppu - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a downgrade on my GPA thanks to the courses that I was forced to take for the sake of the credit. And I learned that if the school tuition fee is cheap, it can also mean that the school academic is cheap.

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.

It was bad. My major is Media, or in APU, it was placed in a tag of "Culture, Society and Media". I came to APU in hope that I could get many courses that were my major (just like they advertised). However, not only the amount of Media major courses are so little (you can count with your two hands and that is), even the whole "Culture, Society and Media" major is lacking of courses. I ended up have to take random liberal arts courses or courses that were not in my major or courses with horrible professor. As in the professors gave random grading, being indifferent toward students, inquiry was almost impossible and the course content was bad.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was so so. Beppu was a small city so the rent is not that bad. But you have to be careful because APU students are having a bad image in Beppu citizen's eyes so extra-care is needed while living off-dorm.

* Food:

I'm practically easy so any food is fine for me.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Sometimes you meet nice people. But Beppu citizens are mostly old people so they sometimes have a racist behavior toward international students when we do part-time jobs.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The hospitals and clinics were good. But medicine are expensive in Japan and sometimes they are not that effective.

* Safety:

We only have some small earthquakes once in a while, not big enough for furniture and housing damage. And the city is old so criminal rate is also very low.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

APU is awful.

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
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

As in Japanese students, even in English bases course, they won't speak English. So group work is always a great challenge.

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
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? Start with studying Kanji, and if you can't handle how much kanji there are, then I recommend stop trying to learn Japanese

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* 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?
  • 2 Media major courses with Professor Mantello
  • 3 Culture major courses with Professor Progler
* What could be improved?
  • E v e r y t h i n g
  • Starting from re-evaluating courses and professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I have a month trial and actually see the school as well as all the course I can take

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!