A GREAT TIME Past Review

By (University of California - San Diego / UCSD) - abroad from 08/05/2017 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?
People in other countries grow up with different expectations, and within those created societies there's a huge variety of expression even then.

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The class wasn't really a class. The professor didn't know anything about what he was supposed to be teaching (I knew more! Way more!!) and didn't put in the effort to actually learn either. Mostly it was just his opinions with a lot of reading that he didn't incorporate at all.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

AMAZING NIAYA WAS THE BEST EVER The place we stayed at had really friendly, professional, accommodating staff, and our coordinator was soooo nice and so efficient. She was really good at organizing and knew a lot of tips and tricks, too.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It wasn't the most convenient ever, living in the traditional-style house with 8 other girls, but it was charming and a unique experience. Everything was well kept and when problems came up the staff were really helpful and prompt.

* Food:

It's Japan. The food is A-MA-ZING

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We lived in the heart of the city. Most people didn't speak Japanese. I picked up quite a bit while I was there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My experience was kind of limited. Mostly I had some problems with bug bites but it was easy to get medicine at a convenience store for it.

* Safety:

The safest I've ever felt in my life. Such a low crime rate, everyone obeys traffic laws, and I didn't get catcalled even once. The policemen actually feel benign instead of mildly threatening.

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

Everything was really straightforward, the workload was basically nonexistent, our accomodations and coordinator were freaking amazing.

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)

Japan has really affordable food and transportation was included so.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100 on food and like $200 on other expenses
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat big, cheap meals. In Japan that kind of thing is super easy to find. Don't go into animate too 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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • City center
  • Freedom
  • Food for thought
* What could be improved?
  • An actual curriculum
  • Actual learning
  • A professor that knows what they're doing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, I am a huge weeaboo, I did a lot of research and was already equipped with the requisite knowledge