Being nothing but a momentary visitor Past Review

By (University of California - San Diego / UCSD) - abroad from 08/07/2017 to 09/09/2017 with

UC San Diego Global Seminars / UCSD: Tokyo - Modern Japan

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I have a renewed appreciation for the country itself. Even when I felt captivated by the culture before the program, it's an entirely different experience learning about it firsthand and enjoying it with people who love it the ways you do or don't.

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?

* 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

I'd like to go back being more fluent in the local language. It wasn't frustrating being immersed in that world, but I feel like it wasn't immersed with me. I'd like to be more involved than a student tourist.

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? $100.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Actively keep track of your budget, and go back to check the current currency exchange rate every so often.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • The variety on the itinerary
  • The connections I made through my peers
  • The freedom outside of class
* What could be improved?
  • Less tourism, more academics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to interact with locals