Mild Nagasaki Spring, Melting Nagasaki Summer Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 03/28/2018 to 08/03/2018 with

USAC Japan: Nagasaki - Japanese Language, Society, and Culture Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was ABSOLUTELY worthwhile, I learned more here in one semester, content-wise, than I have during my whole career at my college. I learned so much about the language and culture, but also things like foreign policy, manners, all of it.

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?

I chose a homestay rather than a dorm arrangement

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The healthcare system in Japan is wildly simple and the host university made it very easy for us to use, as students.

* Safety:

It was so safe, there was nothing we felt like we couldn’t do, even out alone or at night.

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

There were absolutely no downsides to this program. I even enjoyed the spiders and melted worms that I had to walk around every day to school.

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)

It was very easy, as everything was mostly paid for. However, I didn’t always follow through with this.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Convenience stores are really convenient but please watch your money. It’s so easy to just.... go in there every time you pass one.

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

Everything was in Japanese so you either used it or you died

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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?
  • Language aspect
  • Location
  • Friends
* What could be improved?
  • The sun could stop shining so hard
  • Rainy season
  • Basically just the weather
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I did NOT need that many jackets!!!

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!