Study abroad In Japan was the best experience I've had in my life. Past Review
By Cooper S (East Asian Languages and Cultures, Miami University of Ohio) for
USAC Japan: Nishinomiya (Osaka/Kobe Region) - Contemporary Japanese Language, Culture, and Society
I have always wanted to study abroad in Japan and after doing it I am going back to work after I graduate. One year is simply not long enough. If you have the chance to study abroad, definitely take it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was not too bad and if you study hard you can learn a lot of Japanese from class. The teachers were like any school, good ones and not so good ones.But overall I would say that you have the opportunity to learn a lot.Some times I thought there was too much homework because when you are in Japan you want to get out and explore, not be cooped up in a room.That being said I am sure it will be less of a course load than your home university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I applied to USAC online by myself. The website's checklist makes sure you get everything in on time and makes it simple. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Apply to live with a host family. You will not only have the best experience possible, but you're Japanese will improve the most. |
| * Food: |
This obviously depends on your host parent's cooking, but my host mom was an incredible cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The school provided field trips were fun and a good way to meet the other students in the beginning. Later you might go on a trip with your class or just friends. Every where you go will probably be pretty interesting and at the very least an adventure. |
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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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
If you are going on this program, at the very least you need to have some what of a desire to improve your Japanese. Any prior knowledge that you have will be great and once you arrive you'll realize how much you need to learn. Outside of your English speaking friends, you will pretty much be speaking Japanese 100 percent of the time, including most teachers. So if your Japanese isn't so good then definitely make a friend who can speak English and Japanese. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who wants to live in Japan and soak up the culture and language. If you go into the program with an open mind you will have a fantastic time. Of course there will be bumps along the road, but overall you will have the best experience of your life. |
