Study Abroad at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Past Review
By Anastasia A (Accounting, University of Northern Colorado) for
Ritsumeikan University: Kyoto - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I think that it was worthwhile and I don't regret my decision. I just was a little disappointed that it was too international. I came to Japan hoping to experience a completely different culture and wanting to experience culture shock.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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 |
There were a few things I was confused about paperwork wise and money wise, but overall I thought AsiaLearn was doing everything that they could. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in a single dorm room in APU House 1 building E. <br /><br /> |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself and with floormates because it was cheaper than going to the cafeteria. Although, the cafeteria here is cheaper than at UNC. |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 10000 yen a week for groceries and travel expenses to go to town. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wasn't expecting to have to pay for two different insurances. The Japanese health insurance that's required by law and the insurance through AsiaLearn. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I took 2 years of Japanese beforehand. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Because half of the students and faculty are from outside of Japan, I used a lot more English to communicate than I thought I would. There are many people to practice Japanese with, but since it's a very international school subconsciously I found myself retracting to English a lot. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would reccommend going to a different university than APU. |
